$ZEC
Privacy sits at the core of Zcash, shaping every layer of its design. Instead of exposing transactional data, the network is engineered to minimize what the public can see while keeping security intact.
Its blockchain is protected by the Equihash proof-of-work algorithm, a memory-intensive system derived from the generalized birthday problem. By demanding large amounts of RAM during computation, Equihash slows proof generation and raises the barrier for specialized hardware, making widespread ASIC dominance far less practical.
Confidentiality is enforced through zk-SNARKs, a form of zero-knowledge cryptography that verifies transactions without revealing any sensitive details. Sender, recipient, and transaction value remain fully encrypted, yet the network can still prevent double spending and enforce consensus rules. From the outside, only one detail is visible: when the transaction occurred.
This blend of cryptographic privacy and verifiable security defines Zcash’s approach to digital money.
