Zcash
ZEC #14Project Safety Score: 71%
Updated 1 day, 6 hours agoRecord
Health
Security
Behavioral
& Liquidity
Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that employs zero-knowledge proofs to facilitate encrypted transactions while maintaining blockchain transparency. It was launched in 2013 by a group of scientists who initially proposed Zerocoin as a privacy extension to Bitcoin, later developing it into a standalone protocol. Zcash has a fixed supply of 21 million ZEC and utilizes a Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm, with plans for a transition to Proof-of-Stake through an upgrade called "Crosslink."
Users can conduct either transparent or shielded transactions through Unified Addresses. The network allows for the validation of transactions without disclosing sensitive details such as wallet balances or identities. Zcash features a self-funded development model, where block rewards support development efforts via the Zcash Community Grants Committee and a Coinholder-Controlled Fund. Transaction fees are typically low, and blocks are mined approximately every 75 seconds.
Risk Report
Cryptocurrency carries risk. Every project listed on this site, regardless of its score, operates in a volatile and largely unregulated market. Tokens can lose most or all of their value. A high score reflects lower structural risk based on the data we can measure. It does not mean a project is safe, that the price will hold, or that losses are unlikely. Always research independently and never commit money you cannot afford to lose.
Track record score 77 out of 100. Zcash has a solid track record, having been live for 9.5 years without any regulatory actions against it. However, it does have one historical incident and some concerns raised by research. Despite these issues, overall, the project demonstrates long-term stability and reliability in the market.
Economic design score 100 out of 100. Zcash boasts a well-defined supply cap of 21 million coins, which is fully in circulation. This perfect score indicates a strong and sustainable economic model, which is crucial for long-term value retention and trust in the project.
Developer health score 65 out of 100. With 4,811 GitHub stars and over 2,000 forks, Zcash shows a reasonable level of community interest and engagement among developers. However, the pace of contributions, with only 34 commits in the last four weeks, suggests that developer activity may need improvement to maintain momentum.
Network security score 77 out of 100. Zcash benefits from a well-established market cap of approximately $9.48 billion and an aging chain of 9.5 years, indicating a relatively secure network. The presence of one historical incident may raise concerns, but overall, the project's security posture remains stable.
Social behavior score 52 out of 100. While Zcash has a verified presence on social media, the audience analytics are limited, especially on Twitter and Reddit. The sentiment is moderately positive at 63% up, but the score reflects some concerns, including minimal audience engagement and historical red flags highlighted by research.
Adoption liquidity score 72 out of 100. Zcash enjoys a substantial daily trading volume of nearly $990 million and is well-listed on 59 centralized exchanges, of which 24 are considered trustworthy. However, the market cap tier is somewhat lower, indicating potential challenges in liquidity as compared to larger peers.
Inherent crypto risks exist for Zcash, primarily stemming from its historical incident and ongoing concerns about security and market perception. As always, investors should approach with caution and conduct thorough research before making any decisions.
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Prior: DigiCash, Mojo Nation, Least Authority EnterprisesZooko Wilcox-O'Hearn is a cypherpunk and computer security expert with over 25 years in the industry. He has contributed to projects like DigiCash and Mojo Nation, and co-invented the BLAKE3 cryptographic hash function.
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governance_dispute 2026-01-08The entire core development team resigned from the Electric Coin Company due to disputes over governance, leading to a significant drop in ZEC's price. ↗
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Yahoo Finance · 2026-01-08
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Cointelegraph · 2026-01-09
- ✓Pioneering use of zero-knowledge proofs for privacy
- ✓Fixed supply with halving schedule similar to Bitcoin
- ✗Recent governance disputes leading to developer departures
- ✗Declining developer activity
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