Zcash price

Zcash is the native asset of Zcash, a payment-focused blockchain that supports both transparent and shielded transaction formats. Shielded transfers use zero-knowledge proofs so the network can validate transaction rules without revealing selected transaction details publicly. The ZEC asset is therefore tied to this specific network, protocol, or issuer function rather than to a generic cryptocurrency category.

Zcash uses Equihash proof of work, with miners producing blocks and nodes validating consensus rules. ZEC follows a Bitcoin-like issuance schedule with periodic halvings and a maximum supply of 21 million units under the current protocol. These mechanics describe how ZEC is produced, issued, redeemed, burned, or used to secure its network; they do not imply any price outcome or investment view.

A distinguishing feature is that Zcash integrates shielded pools and zero-knowledge proof systems directly into its base-layer transaction design. Users can choose shielded addresses for stronger on-chain confidentiality while the ledger still verifies validity. This named mechanism or use case is the asset-specific fact that separates ZEC from tokens that may share a broad category but have different issuance, governance, or settlement designs.