A list of topics with the most frequently asked questions about Zcash. For troubleshooting the Zcash client, please see troubleshooting documentation.
Zcash is a digital currency with fast and confidential with low fees. Privacy is the central feature of Zcash. It has pioneered the use zero-knowledge proofs to protect users information by encrypting all transactions. There are several wallets you can download for instant, mobile, secure & private payments.
You can buy ZEC from cryptocurrency exchanges. You can also purchase Zcash directly from another person in a peer-to-peer way. Use caution when exchanging with services and individuals that you are not familiar with. You can also acquire Zcash by mining Zcash.
Zcash is fundamentally more private than other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Zcash supports fast block times (75 seconds), low fees and has regular upgrade schedules, which means this protocol is highly adaptable. A key feature is optional yet highly secure privacy.
Users are able to select whether a transaction is made on the Transparent or Shielded part of the blockchain. For more information see here
The protocol is governed by the Zcash Improvement Proposal process. The ZIP process provides an open venue and structure for collectively evaluating changes to Zcash.
Anyone can submit a draft ZIP. Draft ZIPs are debated by the community at large, then accepted or rejected by the ZIP editors.
Currently there are two ZIP editors — Daira Hopwood represents the Electric Coin Company & Deirdre Connolly represents the Zcash Foundation.
Decisions from the ZIP process are written into the Zcash specification, as well as the software that runs the network. The changes are “ratified” on-chain when the majority of the network adopts the upgrade and doesn’t break consensus.
First read our article on block explorers. Then check with Zcash block explorer noting that all transactions expire by default after ~25 minutes/20 blocks and funds are returned to the original sending address.
If your transaction expires, the best thing to do is to try your transaction again with some possible modifications.
There may be various reasons why your transaction is not included in a block: