Zcash (ZEC)

A plain-language guide for first-timers

Today's price

$1,388.81

Updated Oct 2, 2026

↓ -3.54% today

Price chart

What is Zcash?

Zcash, launched in 2016, is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency built on the same foundations as Bitcoin. It adds zero-knowledge cryptography, known as zk-SNARKs, which allows a transaction to be verified without revealing the sender, the recipient or the amount. Zcash has two address types. Transparent addresses work like Bitcoin addresses and are publicly visible on the blockchain, while shielded addresses keep those details private. The supply is capped at 21 million ZEC, mirroring Bitcoin scarcity model. Please note that deposits and withdrawals on CryptoUnity use transparent addresses only. Learn more in our workshops!

New to crypto? See how CryptoUnity works, browse our beginner workshops, or look up any term in the glossary.

How to buy Zcash in the US

Four steps, start to finish — most people are done in under ten minutes.

1

Download the CryptoUnity app

Create your free account and complete a quick one-time identity check (about 5 minutes). It keeps everyone’s funds safe.
2

Add dollars

Top up by bank transfer or card. There are no deposit fees, and switchers get 0% trading fees for the first 30 days.
3

Buy Zcash

Buy ZEC from as little as $1 — you don’t need to buy a whole coin. You’ll see the exact amount and price before you confirm.
4

Hold it or set a recurring buy

Your ZEC is held in BitGo-secured custody, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet anytime. Prefer to invest a little at a time? Set up an automatic recurring buy in a couple of taps.

Get the app and buy ZEC →

Try it

If I had invested a small amount regularly…

This is called DCA . It's how most beginners start. Pick an amount and how often to run the numbers on Zcash's real price history.

Common questions about Zcash

Real questions, plain answers. If you have one we missed, write us and we'll add it.

Is ZEC safe? +

ZEC itself is a public network — no single company runs it, which is part of what makes it trustworthy. The risk people usually mean is price: ZEC can move sharply in a single day. Only put in what you'd be comfortable losing while you learn.

Is ZEC a good investment for beginners? +

No one can promise that — ZEC's price can rise or fall sharply, and past performance is never a guarantee. What you can control is how you invest: many beginners buy a small amount on a regular schedule (called dollar-cost averaging) instead of trying to time the market, and only invest what they can afford to lose. Treat ZEC as a long-term way to learn, not a get-rich-quick bet.

Can I buy a small amount? +

Yes. You can start with as little as €1 of ZEC. You don't need to buy a whole coin — they're divisible to many decimal places.

Where is my ZEC stored? +

When you buy through CryptoUnity, your ZEC is held in BitGo-secured custody — the same provider used by major institutions. You can also withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

What can I actually do with it? +

You can hold it (many people do, hoping the price rises over time), send it to friends or merchants who accept it, or trade it for other coins. Inside the app you can also set up a weekly auto-buy.