Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that launched in 2016, utilizing zk-SNARKs zero-knowledge proof technology to enable shielded transactions that hide sender, receiver, and amount details . It features a dual-address system, allowing users to choose between transparent (t-address) and fully private (z-address) transactions .

As of early 2026, the network shows strong privacy adoption, with privacy addresses now holding over 30% of ZEC's circulating supply . Following its November 2024 halving, ZEC's annual inflation rate dropped from 12.5% to approximately 4.2%, reinforcing its Bitcoin-like scarcity model with a fixed 21 million supply cap .

Recent developments include the launch of the CashZ wallet by former Electric Coin Company developers, aiming to improve user experience, and a significant regulatory victory with the SEC closing its investigation into Zcash .