# Zcash

> Privacy-protecting digital currency

Zcash lets users send private cryptocurrency transactions using zero-knowledge proofs to shield sender, receiver, and amount information from public view.

Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency protocol that uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable shielded transactions. The network supports transparent addresses similar to Bitcoin and shielded addresses that encrypt transaction data using zk-SNARKs technology. With a fixed supply of 21 million coins and 75-second block times, Zcash provides users the option to prove transaction validity without revealing sensitive information. Block rewards are distributed between miners and ecosystem development funding through the Electric Coin Company, Zcash Foundation, and community grants programs.

- Type: Project
- Sector: Privacy & Confidentiality
- Status: Active
- Founded: 2016-10-28
- Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/zcash

## Products

- [Zcash Network](https://thegrid.id/profiles/zcash): A Layer 1 blockchain implementing zero-knowledge proof cryptography for optional transaction privacy. The network operates using Proof-of-Work consensus with the Equihash mining algorithm, processing blocks every 75 seconds. Zcash supports dual address types: transparent addresses for public transactions and shielded addresses using zk-SNARKs to encrypt sender, receiver, and amount data. The protocol maintains a 21 million coin supply cap with block rewards distributed to miners and ecosystem development funding. Users can choose transaction privacy levels and include encrypted memo fields for private messaging. (L1, Live, Main Product)

## Assets

- [Zcash (ZEC)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/zcash): ZEC is the native token of the Zcash network. It is used to pay transaction fees and reward miners who secure the network through Proof-of-Work consensus. ZEC can be sent via transparent addresses, like Bitcoin, or through shielded addresses that use zk-SNARKs to hide the sender, recipient, and amount from public view. (Native)

## Links

- [Main](https://z.cash)
- [Privacy policy](https://z.cash/privacy-policy)
- [Media Kit/branding](https://z.cash/press)
- [Forum](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com)
- [Blog](https://z.cash/community-hub)
- [Documentation](https://zcash.readthedocs.io)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/zcash)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/zec)
- [Twitter / X](https://x.com/zcash)
- [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/zcash)
- [Telegram](https://t.me/zcash_community)

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- [Data Licensing & Disclaimers](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/data-licensing-and-disclaimers): Licensing models and disclaimers
- [Open Data (ODbL)](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/open-data): Open Database License terms and scope for The Grid's open data service.
- [Attribution Guidelines](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/open-data-attribution-guidelines): How to attribute The Grid's data when using the open data service.
- [Web Services Terms](https://about.thegrid.id/legal/web-services-terms): commercial Terms for using data services.
- [All Legal Documents](https://about.thegrid.id/legal): Full index of terms, policies, and disclosures

## Optional

- [TGS Field Descriptions](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/tgs-field-descriptions.md): Schema field definitions for The Grid's data model
- [TGS JSON Structure](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/tgs-json-structure.md): Data model structure and relationships
- [Product Type Definitions](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/product-type-definitions.md): Definitions for each product type
- [Product Type Classification](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/references/product-type-classification.md): Guide for classifying products into types
- [Grid MCP Guide](https://github.com/The-Grid-Data/workspace-public/blob/main/grid-search/skills/grid-query/references/grid-mcp-guide.md): How to query The Grid programmatically via MCP