What is Zcash? Complete Guide to the Privacy Cryptocurrency

Source: CritpoTendencia Original Title: What is Zcash? Original Link: Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency. It was launched in 2016 as an improvement to the original BTC design, but with a key difference: it allows transactions where the amount, sender, and receiver can remain hidden if the user so desires.

Although it is built on a public blockchain, Zcash adds a layer of anonymity that makes it one of the most advanced coins in terms of personal data protection.

Basic Information

Name: Zcash Ticker: ZEC Launch Year: 2016 Maximum Supply: 21M

Optional Privacy: The Key to Zcash

Unlike BTC—where everything is visible on the blockchain—Zcash lets you choose between transparent or shielded transactions.

• Transparent transactions: work just like in BTC. Anyone can see addresses and amounts on the network.
• Shielded transactions: use advanced cryptography to completely hide the data. The network can verify that the transaction is valid without revealing sensitive information.

This technology is based on so-called zero-knowledge proofs, a method that allows proving something is true without showing the underlying details. This gives Zcash a level of privacy that other cryptocurrencies don’t offer.

How Zcash Works

Zcash uses two types of addresses:

• t-addr (transparent): similar to BTC public addresses.
• z-addr (shielded): designed to maintain total privacy.

The user decides how to operate. You can use transparent addresses for standard transactions or shielded addresses when confidentiality is needed. This flexibility has made Zcash a reference among the so-called privacy coins.

Additionally, ZEC has a maximum supply of 21 million, just like BTC, which gives it predictable monetary behavior and resistance to inflation.

What is Zcash Used For?

Zcash is mainly used for:

• Sending and receiving money privately.
• Protecting personal or business financial information.
• Operating in environments where total transparency can be risky.
• Saving long-term with an added level of confidentiality.

In a digital world where every piece of data is exposed, Zcash offers an alternative that gives users back control over their privacy.

Conclusion

Zcash is a cryptocurrency designed for those who seek privacy without sacrificing blockchain security and transparency. Its technology allows you to choose between operating openly or completely shielded, something very few networks offer.

In an ecosystem where traceability is the norm, Zcash proposes a different approach: privacy as a right, not an exception.