> LEARN_ZCASH
Learn Zcash
Zcash is the leading privacy cryptocurrency. Unlike Bitcoin, where every transaction is public, Zcash lets you send and receive money with encrypted amounts, addresses, and memos — verified by zero-knowledge proofs without revealing any private data.
▋> KEY_CONCEPTS
Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Mathematically prove a transaction is valid without revealing the sender, receiver, or amount. The cryptographic breakthrough that makes Zcash possible.
Shielded Pools
Orchard (newest, most private) and Sapling pools use encryption. The transparent pool works like Bitcoin. Always shield your ZEC.
View Pool StatsEncrypted Memos
Every shielded transaction includes a 512-byte encrypted memo visible only to the recipient. Messages, payment references, or structured data — completely private.
Try the Decrypt Tool> ADDRESS_TYPES
Zcash supports three address formats. Unified addresses are the modern standard, they bundle all receivers into one address for maximum compatibility and privacy.
Unified (u...)
Contains Orchard, Sapling, and Transparent receivers in one address. Wallets automatically pick the most private option.
u1a7l33nnr9qnhekptmjacyj95a565tcns09xvyxmt777xnk2q6c6s0jrthgme6dkeevc24zue9yqlmspdla5fw5mjws9...Sapling (zs...)
Legacy shielded address. Fully private with encrypted memos. Still widely supported by exchanges and wallets.
zs1a7l33nnr9qnhekptmjacyj95a565tcns09xvyxmt777xnk2q6c6s0jrthgme6dkeevc24zue9yq...Transparent (t...)
Public like Bitcoin, amounts and addresses are visible. Use only for exchanges, then shield immediately.
t1a7l33nnr9qnhekptmjacyj95a565tcns09> ZCASH_NAMES
The Zcash Name System (ZNS) maps human-readable names to Zcash Unified Addresses. Instead of sharing a 200-character address, you can share a name like alice.
How It Works
Try It on CipherScan
Search any ZNS name in the search bar to see its resolved address, registration details, marketplace status, and full event history.
> VIEWING_KEYS
A Unified Full Viewing Key (UFVK) gives read-only access to your shielded transactions. It cannot spend funds, only view them.
When to use a Viewing Key
How to Export Your Viewing Key
exportufvkuview1qvqqqqqhqy0j7rp...> WALLETS
Choose a wallet that supports shielded transactions. All wallets below support Unified Addresses and full Orchard privacy.
YWallet
ADVANCEDMulti-sig, viewing key export, detailed transaction history. Power user favorite.
ywallet.app> DEVELOPER_RESOURCES
Build on Zcash using CipherScan's infrastructure or the official Zcash developer tools.
CipherScan Infrastructure
lightwalletd.mainnet.cipherscan.app:443https://api.mainnet.cipherscan.app/api/*lightwalletd.testnet.cipherscan.app:443https://api.testnet.cipherscan.app/api/*Specs & Standards
Nodes & Indexers
> COMMUNITY
Join the Zcash community and dive deeper into privacy technology.
> EXPLORE_CIPHERSCAN
Use what you've learned — CipherScan gives you live access to Zcash blockchain data.