Zcash vs Monero: Key Differences (ZEC vs XMR)
Complete side-by-side comparison of Zcash and Monero. Price, market cap, technology, and more.
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What is Zcash?
Zcash brought zero-knowledge proofs to cryptocurrency. Users choose between transparent (like Bitcoin) and shielded (fully private) transactions using zk-SNARKs. Founded by renowned cryptographer Zooko Wilcox, it represents cutting-edge privacy tech. The same zk-SNARK technology now powers Ethereum L2 scaling. Zcash proved the math before anyone else.
What is Monero?
Monero is the gold standard for privacy coins. Ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT make transactions truly untraceable. Unlike Bitcoin where all transactions are public, Monero hides sender, receiver, and amount by default. Loved by privacy advocates, controversial with regulators.
Price Evolution
Percentage change from start of period
ZEC-34.06%XMR-18.85%Detailed Comparison
| Metric | ZEC | XMR |
|---|---|---|
| ZEC XMR | ||
| Price & Market | ||
| Price | $409.38 | $312.97 |
Price $409.38 $312.97 | ||
| Market Cap | $6.87B | $5.88B |
Market Cap $6.87B $5.88B | ||
| 24h Volume | $453.81M | $133.24M |
24h Volume $453.81M $133.24M | ||
| Volume/Cap Ratio | 6.60% | 2.27% |
Volume/Cap Ratio 6.60% 2.27% | ||
| Market Dominance | 0.00337705% | 0.0028885% |
Market Dominance 0.00337705% 0.0028885% | ||
| All-Time High | $3,191.93 | $797.73 |
All-Time High $3,191.93 $797.73 | ||
| ATH Date | Oct 29, 2016 | Jan 14, 2026 |
ATH Date Oct 29, 2016 Jan 14, 2026 | ||
| Performance | ||
| 24h Change | 2.20% | 2.77% |
24h Change 2.20% 2.77% | ||
| 7d Change | 13.11% | 5.76% |
7d Change 13.11% 5.76% | ||
| 30d Change | 34.06% | 18.85% |
30d Change 34.06% 18.85% | ||
| Supply | ||
| Circulating Supply | 16.79M | 18.77M |
Circulating Supply 16.79M 18.77M | ||
| Total Supply | 16.79M | 18.77M |
Total Supply 16.79M 18.77M | ||
| Max Supply | 21.00M | Unlimited |
Max Supply 21.00M Unlimited | ||
| Technology | ||
| Consensus | Proof of Work (Equihash) | RandomX Proof of Work |
Consensus Proof of Work (Equihash) RandomX Proof of Work | ||
| Block Time | ~75 seconds | 2 minutes |
Block Time ~75 seconds 2 minutes | ||
| TPS (Transactions/sec) | 27 | 1700 |
TPS (Transactions/sec) 27 1700 | ||
| Launch Year | 2016 | 2014 |
Launch Year 2016 2014 | ||
| Transaction Fees | ||
| Average Fee | $0.001-$0.01 | < $0.01 |
Average Fee $0.001-$0.01 < $0.01 | ||
| Fee Model | Equihash PoW mining fees | Monero PoW, privacy fees |
Fee Model Equihash PoW mining fees Monero PoW, privacy fees | ||
| General | ||
| Primary Use Case | Privacy, Shielded transactions | Privacy, Anonymous payments |
Primary Use Case Privacy, Shielded transactions Privacy, Anonymous payments | ||
| Founder | Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn | Riccardo Spagni (fluffypony), Community |
Founder Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn Riccardo Spagni (fluffypony), Community | ||
| Website | z.cash | getmonero.org |
Website | ||
| Volatility & Risk | ||
| Drawdown from ATH | 87.2% | 60.8% |
Drawdown from ATH 87.2% 60.8% | ||
Why Zcash?- ✓Pioneered zk-SNARKs - now powering Ethereum L2s
- ✓Optional privacy with both transparent and shielded transactions
- ✓Strong cryptographic foundations and research
Why Monero?- ✓Strong privacy features make transactions untraceable by default
- ✓Uses RandomX PoW, favoring CPU mining and decentralization
- ✓Established since 2014 with a committed developer community
Zcash Risks
- ✗Regulatory pressure on privacy coins
- ✗Shielded adoption lower than expected
Monero Risks
- ✗Regulatory scrutiny due to association with illicit activities
- ✗Higher transaction sizes and fees compared to some competitors
- ✗Limited adoption outside privacy-focused user base
The Verdict
The two titans of privacy crypto. Monero makes every transaction private by default - ring signatures, stealth addresses, no opt-in required. Zcash offers a choice: transparent transactions (like Bitcoin) or shielded ones (using zk-SNARKs). Monero's approach is philosophically purer - if privacy is optional, most people don't use it, which weakens everyone's privacy. Zcash's technology is arguably more advanced - zk-SNARKs now power Ethereum L2 scaling. XMR is delisted from more exchanges but has stronger grassroots adoption. ZEC has better institutional relationships. Both face regulatory headwinds, but the math doesn't care about regulations.
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