What is Zcash
Zcash (ZEC) is a cryptocurrency focused on payment privacy. The network launched in October 2016 based on Bitcoin’s code, and it’s developed by the Electric Coin Company and the Zcash Foundation. Zcash’s key feature is zero-knowledge proof technology (zk-SNARKs): it confirms that a transaction is valid without revealing the sender, the recipient or the amount.
Privacy in Zcash is optional, however. The network has two types of addresses: transparent ones, whose transactions are visible to everyone as in Bitcoin, and shielded ones, whose details are hidden. Users choose which mode to use. As with Bitcoin, ZEC supply is capped at 21 million coins, and blocks are mined roughly every 75 seconds.
Key facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticker | ZEC |
| Network at ROVEN exchange | Zcash, transparent addresses |
| Address format | Transparent: starts with “t1” or “t3” |
| Block time | About 75 seconds |
| Maximum supply | 21 million ZEC |
| Network fee | Paid in ZEC, usually a fraction of a cent |
| Memo / tag | Not needed |
What Zcash is used for
- Private payments. Shielded transactions hide the participants and the amount.
- Ordinary transfers. Through transparent addresses, ZEC works like a familiar cryptocurrency.
- Selective disclosure. The owner can share a viewing key, for example with an auditor.
- Investment. ZEC is one of the best-known privacy coins.
How to exchange Zcash at ROVEN exchange
- Choose a direction, for example ZEC → USDT TRC20 or USDT TRC20 → ZEC, and enter the amount.
- If you’re receiving ZEC, enter a transparent address starting with “t1” or “t3”.
- Create the order — the rate is locked for 30 minutes — and send the exact amount to the address in the order.
- A block comes roughly every 75 seconds, so a swap usually takes 10–30 minutes.
What to watch out for
- ROVEN exchange works only with transparent Zcash addresses. Shielded addresses (starting with “zs”) and unified addresses (starting with “u1”) can’t be used for receiving.
- If you hold ZEC in the shielded pool, you can send it to a transparent address in your wallet — this is called “unshielding”.
- Many wallets show a unified “u1” address by default — look for the transparent “t1” address in the settings.
- Don’t confuse ZEC with similar fork coins — check the network and the address format.
Transparent and shielded addresses
Transparent Zcash addresses (t-addresses) work just like Bitcoin addresses: balances and transfer history are visible in a block explorer. Shielded addresses hide this data using cryptography. Modern wallets use unified addresses, which combine several types in one. For a swap at ROVEN exchange you need a transparent address: it’s supported by every exchange and service and lets incoming funds be verified quickly.
How to store Zcash
ZEC is supported by Zashi, YWallet, Edge, Trust Wallet, Exodus and the Ledger hardware wallet (for transparent addresses). Zashi is the official wallet from the Zcash developers, with support for shielded transfers. Keep your seed phrase offline.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I enter a shielded address?
We pay out ZEC to transparent addresses so the transfer can be verified unambiguously on the blockchain. To receive, enter a “t1” or “t3” address.
How long does a ZEC transfer take?
A block comes roughly every 75 seconds, so crediting usually takes 5–20 minutes.
Does Zcash need a memo?
No. Transparent addresses don’t use a memo.