# Firo

> Source: https://fuckyc.org/services/firo/
> Website: https://firo.org/
> Categories: Privacy coins
> KYC: none — Cryptocurrency protocol; supports Lelantus Spark privacy transactions in addition to transparent transactions.
> Status: active
> Jurisdiction: protocol — independent open source
> Fiat on-ramp: no
> Payment methods: crypto
> Founded: 2016
> Open source: yes
> Custodial: no
> Last verified: 2026-01-01

## Verdict

Firo (formerly Zcoin) is the original Sigma / Lelantus / Spark protocol implementation. The cryptography is independently interesting; the anonymity set is the practical limit. A niche choice for users specifically interested in the Spark protocol.

## Strengths

- Lelantus Spark provides zero-knowledge privacy without a trusted setup.
- Independent research lineage (Lelantus, Spark) is well-published.

## Caveats

- Smaller user base than XMR or ZEC.
- Privacy is opt-in; anonymity set scales with shielded usage.
- Facts need re-verification by operator (last seeded 2026-01).

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## What Firo is

A cryptocurrency whose privacy layer is Lelantus Spark, a no-trusted-setup zero-knowledge protocol.

## Threat-model fit

Niche privacy coin; pick based on protocol preference, not as a Monero/Zcash replacement.

## Sources

- [Firo about](https://firo.org/about/) — accessed 2026-01-01
- [Firo docs](https://docs.firo.org/) — accessed 2026-01-01