# Zcash

> Source: https://fuckyc.org/services/zcash/
> Website: https://z.cash/
> Categories: Privacy coins
> KYC: none — Cryptocurrency protocol with optional shielded transactions; KYC is a venue property, not a protocol property.
> Status: active
> Jurisdiction: protocol — Electric Coin Company and Zcash Foundation
> Fiat on-ramp: no
> Payment methods: crypto
> Founded: 2016
> Open source: yes
> Custodial: no
> Last verified: 2026-01-01

## Verdict

Zcash has the strongest cryptographic privacy primitives in production but a smaller shielded anonymity set than Monero's mandatory-privacy model produces. For users who specifically want zk-SNARK-based privacy and are willing to stay shielded throughout, it is the reference design. For users who want privacy-by-default without thinking about it, Monero is usually the easier choice.

## Strengths

- zk-SNARK shielded pool offers strong cryptographic privacy.
- Active research program; introduced Halo recursive proofs and ongoing pool migrations.

## Caveats

- Privacy is opt-in (shielded vs transparent addresses); the anonymity set has historically been smaller than Monero's.
- The 2022 Sapling-to-Orchard pool migration changes the practical anonymity set you join.
- Trusted setup ceremonies are part of the protocol's history; the current Halo/Halo2 model removes that requirement going forward.
- Facts need re-verification by operator (last seeded 2026-01).

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## What Zcash is

A cryptocurrency with zk-SNARK shielded transactions. Users choose between transparent and shielded addresses.

## Threat-model fit

Useful when zk-SNARK semantics specifically matter and you intend to operate shielded-only.

## Sources

- [z.cash — Learn](https://z.cash/learn/) — accessed 2026-01-01
- [Zcash Foundation](https://zfnd.org/) — accessed 2026-01-01