Pre-migration documentation. This site reflects the pre-migration state of the protocol. It’s mostly current, but a few edges may not match ZERA at launch. We’re finalizing the new, detailed ZERA docs now. Thanks for your patience.

The Privacy Problem

Why Traditional Cryptocurrencies Reveal Everything

Traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were designed to be transparent, but this transparency comes at a huge cost to privacy.

The Address Linking Problem

Even if you use different addresses, sophisticated analysis can link them together. Companies and governments can use blockchain analysis tools to:

Track money as it moves between addresses
Identify patterns that reveal the same person owns multiple addresses
Build profiles of users based on their transaction history
De‑anonymize supposedly anonymous transactions

The Solution: Zero‑Knowledge Cash

Zero‑knowledge cash solves these privacy problems by using advanced cryptography to create private transactions that are still verifiable. You can prove a transaction is valid without revealing the details that make it valid.

Your balance remains private — no one can see how much money you have
Transaction amounts are hidden — only you know how much you're sending
No transaction history — your financial past stays private
Still verifiable — the network can confirm transactions are valid

The Privacy Problems

Public Ledger Exposure

Every transaction visible to everyone on the network

Address Linking

Multiple transactions can be linked to the same person

Balance Tracking

Anyone can see how much money you have

Spending Patterns

Your financial behavior is completely transparent

Why This Matters

Personal Security

Protect yourself from theft, stalking, and targeted attacks based on wealth

Financial Freedom

Make financial decisions without fear of judgment or discrimination

The Transparency Trap

When Bitcoin was created, the idea of a public ledger was revolutionary. Everyone could see every transaction, making it hard to cheat the system. But this transparency has a dark side: complete financial surveillance.