Zcash

Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency focused on privacy and anonymity. It uses the zk-SNARK zero-knowledge proof technology that allows nodes on the network to verify transactions without revealing any sensitive information about those transactions. ZEC transactions by default do not reveal the sending and receiving addresses or the amount being sent. There is an option, however, to reveal this data for the purposes of auditing or regulatory compliance. Zcash was first released on October 28, 2016, and it was originally based on Bitcoin’s codebase.

Zcash, formerly "Zerocoin," was created in 2013 by a group of scientists from Johns Hopkins University. The team recruited additional scientists from leading academic institutions including MIT and Tel Aviv University to build the standalone Zcash protocol. Zcash was first mined in October 2016.


Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency focused on privacy and anonymity. It uses the zk-SNARK zero-knowledge proof technology that allows nodes on the network to verify transactions without revealing any sensitive information about those transactions.

ZEC transactions by default do not reveal the sending and receiving addresses or the amount being sent. There is an option, however, to reveal this data for the purposes of auditing or regulatory compliance.

Zcash has a fixed supply of 21 million ZEC and undergoes block halvings every four years.

Zcash distributes a portion of its block rewards to development funding. 20% of Zcash issuance is allocated to the Electric Coin Company, the Zcash Foundation, and independent third-party developers, while 80% is rewarded to miners. 

Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss launches Cypherpunk to accumulate Zcash as a privacy-focused treasury asset. Tyler Winklevoss announced the launch of Cypherpunk, a company funded with over $50 million from Winklevoss Capital to accumulate Zcash (ZEC) as a privacy and self‑sovereignty treasury, stating the firm currently holds 203,775 ZEC (~1.

Cypherpunk Launches Zcash Treasury With $50M Backing

Former oncology biotech firm Leap Therapeutics (LPTX), which earlier this month raised $58.9 million in funding led by Winklevoss Capital to pivot to a digital treasury firm, announced the purchase of $50 million of Zcash ZEC$454.92.

Leap Therapeutics Surges 300% on $50M Winklevoss-Backed Zcash Bet

The privacy coin slid hard on Wednesday but then regained ground. Hayes has been outspoken on a range of digital asset topics.

Zcash Drops, Then Pops as Bitcoin Billionaire Arthur Hayes Warns Holders to Remove ZEC From Exchanges

Winklevoss cast Zcash as a "privacy hedge" to bitcoin, part of a comeback narrative for privacy coins in 2025.

Winklevoss-backed Cypherpunk targets 5% of Zcash supply with $58 million treasury seed

Zcash and Starknet co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson explores the challenges of ensuring integrity in privacy payments on decentralized public blockchains.

Zcash co-founder: ‘The world is demanding more privacy'

Biotech firm Leap Therapeutics has rebranded as Cypherpunk Technologies Inc. and pivoted to a digital asset treasury strategy.

Zcash Treasury Company Launches With Winklevoss Backing

The increase in shielding coincides with significant price appreciation as ZEC surged from approximately $400 on Nov. 1 to as high as $750.

ZCash shielded pool climbs to 23% of supply as network usage surges

Zcash's recent spot-driven rally is cementing its place as a structural rotation to privacy-focused projects as the sector continues to outperform other market segments.

Privacy Coin Bid Continues as Zcash Rally Lifts ‘Dino' Sector; Starknet's STRK Rockets 40%

Edward Snowden's apparent endorsement of Zcash as the leading privacy coin has sparked debate with supporters of rival digital asset monero. Privacy Debate: Zcash vs. Monero U.S. whistleblower and former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden has weighed in on the Zcash (ZEC) debate, calling the cryptocurrency the “best in this space.

Privacy Coin Wars: Snowden's Zcash Endorsement Sparks Monero Community Backlash

Solana

Unified custody layer Zenrock's wrapped Zcash ZEC$666.14 token, known as zenZEC, has recorded approximately $15 million in total trading volume since its debut on the Solana blockchain on Oct. 31.

Zcash Privacy Meets Solana DeFi with Zenrock's Wrapped ZEC Crossing $15M in Volume

Dash

On Sunday, privacy coins put on a show as zcash (ZEC) leapt 12.8% to crack the $640 mark, while monero ( XMR) sprinted 21% to sail past $440 per coin. Privacy tokens are clearly basking in the spotlight right now—and the crowd's loving it.

Privacy Coins Ignite: Zcash, Monero and Others Rocket as Investors Chase Anonymity-Driven Tech

Over $51 million worth of Zcash short positions were liquidated Friday due to the price surge, with the privacy coin up 74% this week alone.

Privacy Coin Zcash Continues Historic Surge, Nearing 8-Year High Price

Arthur Hayes said ZEC has become the second-largest liquid asset in Maelstrom's portfolio behind BTC, gaining 750% since October.

Zcash tops $10B market cap, surpassing Hyperliquid to reclaim top-20 spot amid continued surge

Zcash ZEC$607.92 has surged back into crypto's top 20 largest tokens by market capitalization, trading above $600 for the first time in nearly seven years.

Zcash Breaks into Top-20 Crypto List, Hits $600 For First Time Since 2018

On Nov. 6, privacy coins experienced a market-defying rally, with ZEC and DASH leading the way. Their collective market capitalization increased by 8% to $26.6 billion. ZEC Overtakes High-Cap Altcoins Privacy coins continued their market-defying rally on Nov.

ZEC and DASH Lead Privacy Coin Rally as Sector Market Cap Jumps 8% to $26.6 Billion

Ethereum

Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) extended its vertical rally above $516 on Thursday as BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes called it his "next $1,000 trade," fueling renewed retail and institutional interest in the privacy-focused token. Arthur Hayes Sparks Breakout Momentum In a post on X, Hayes wrote, "Choo Choo bitches.

Zcash Bests ETH, XRP, SOL With 1,200% Rally In 3 Months: 'Next Stop: $1,000,' Arthur Hayes Says

Zcash has surged more than 700% since late September, overtaking Monero to become the top privacy coin by market capitalization.

Crypto's Anti-Surveillance Boom: Zcash, Monero and the Return of Anonymity

The privacy-focused cryptocurrency has seemingly defied gravity during the most tumultuous period for crypto this year. What's Driving Zcash's 40% Rally in the Middle of a Crypto Sell-Off? Bitcoin fell below $100K on Tuesday for the first time since May 2025. Liquidations across the broader crypto market topped $2 billion.

Why Is Zcash up 40% While Other Cryptocurrencies Are Tanking?

Zcash has experienced a remarkable 700% rally, reflecting potential cultural shifts in the cryptocurrency landscape, especially as bitcoin sees increased institutionalization. Debate: Genuine Surge vs. Artificial Influence Zcash (ZEC)'s “sudden” 700% rally may reflect broader cultural shifts in the crypto space amid Bitcoin's growing institutionalization, according to the latest report from Galaxy Research.

Zcash's 700% Rally Signals Cultural Shift in Crypto, Says Galaxy Research

Bitcoin's creator was aware of its privacy limitations.

Zcash Surging on 'Cypherpunk Principles' as Bitcoin Alternative: Galaxy Digital

Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) has outperformed major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, rallying over 150% in the past month.

Forget Bitcoin, Ethereum: ZEC Is The Only Coin Pumping—And It's Up 150% In 1 Month

On Nov. 4, the privacy coin sector experienced a notable rally, with total market capitalization increasing by 5.5%, contrasting sharply with the broader crypto market's downturn. DASH Leads the Charge With Triple-Digit Gains The privacy coin sector continued its market-defying rally on Nov. 4, with total market capitalization jumping 5.

Privacy Coins Surge 5.5%; ZEC Tops $470 Amid Exit Liquidity Warnings

ZEC$394.49, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, overtook XMR$351.30, the sector's longtime dominant token, in market capitalization in what may represent a changing of the guard.

Zcash Overtaking Monero Market Cap Points to Privacy-Coin Power Shift

New figures reveal that mining the privacy coin zcash (ZEC) has become a serious money-maker after the digital asset's price rocketed more than 200% this month. The rally lit a fire under miners, blasting the network's hashrate straight into uncharted territory.

Zcash Hashrate Hits Record High as Miners Cash In on Rally

On Nov. 1, privacy coins experienced a major rally, boosting their collective market capitalization by 15% to over $24.3 billion. Top Performers and Financial Milestones A rally across most privacy coins on Nov. 1 delivered a 15% surge to their total market capitalization, pushing the valuation just above $24.3 billion.

News for Zcash Crypto (ZEC)