What is Zcash (ZEC)?
Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that uses zero-knowledge proofs to hide transaction parties and amounts. Zcash mainnet launched in October 2016 per the project's official materials and was built on Bitcoin's codebase.
Zcash relies on zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs), which mathematically prove a transaction is valid without revealing its contents. Zcash is, alongside Monero, one of the best-known projects in the privacy-coin space.
What is the difference between transparent and shielded addresses?
Zcash uses two kinds of addresses. A 't-address' handles transparent transactions whose history is public, like Bitcoin, while a shielded address hides the sender, receiver, and amount. Modern Zcash wallets support Unified Addresses that bundle both types.
Zcash is described as offering selective anonymity because users can choose public or private transactions case by case. Zcash was long criticized for low shielded usage, but as of September 2026 ZecHub data showed about 4.96 million ZEC held in shielded pools, roughly 30% of circulating supply.
24h Change-8.97%
7d Change-30.87%
Market Cap$15,047,721,212
24h Volume$683,417,535
24h High$969.05
24h Low$890.44
All-Time High$3,191.93
What is the Zcash supply and halving schedule?
Zcash is mined with Proof of Work (PoW) like Bitcoin and has a maximum supply of 21 million ZEC per the project docs. Zcash halves its block reward roughly every four years, and the second halving took place in November 2024 per project records.
Zcash originally sent part of the mining reward to the development team and foundation through a 'founders reward,' which drew debate, and funding rules have since changed several times through community governance. Since the NU6 upgrade in November 2024, part of Zcash development funding accrues to an in-protocol lockbox, and since NU6.1 ZEC holders help decide how those funds are spent.
What are the risks of Zcash?
Zcash highlights strong privacy technology and a long record of cryptographic research, and it draws support from users who value financial privacy. The Zcash community continues to work on further network upgrades such as NU7.
Zcash and other privacy coins are heavily affected by regulation and exchange listing policies because of money-laundering concerns. Zcash has been restricted or delisted in some jurisdictions and on some exchanges, so readers should check the regulatory environment where they live.
