Zcash is a cryptocurrency that uses the Zerocash protocol. Zerocoin is a protocol that allows users to mix their own coins with enhanced privacy features. The Zerocoin protocol was developed into the Zerocash protocol by the Zerocoin development team in collaboration with cryptographers at MIT

This introduction contains details about the zcash whitepaper and its early developers. The Zcash whitepaper, Zerocash: Decentralized Anonymous Payments from Bitcoin, is a comprehensive document that outlines the framework, design, and functionality of the Zcash protocol. It was written by a team of highly skilled developers and cryptographers, including Eli Ben-Sasson, Alessandro Chiesa, Christina Garman, Matthew Green, Ian Miers, Eran Tromer, and Madars Virza.

The whitepaper was first published in 2014 and provided a detailed explanation of the Zerocash protocol, an improved version of the Zerocoin protocol. The Zerocash protocol aimed to address the privacy issues in Bitcoin by enabling users to conduct transactions without revealing the amount or parties involved. This was achieved through the use of zero-knowledge proofs, a revolutionary cryptography concept.

Developer Background

The early developers of Zcash were a group of academics, engineers, and scientists with a shared interest in privacy and blockchain technology. They were led by Zooko Wilcox, a well-known cryptographer and the CEO of the Electric Coin Company, which oversees the development of Zcash. Other prominent figures include Matthew Green, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Information Security Institute, and Ian Miers, a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University.

The team’s combined expertise in cryptography, computer science, and economics allowed them to create a unique blockchain-based cryptocurrency that prioritizes user privacy and security. Their work on Zcash has had a significant impact on the broader cryptocurrency industry, with many other projects adopting or building upon the concepts outlined in the Zcash whitepaper.

Fundamental concepts of zcash and zerocoin are often associated with privacy and anonymity. Both Zcash and Zerocoin protocols use advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure the privacy of transactions.

Zerocoin

Zerocoin protocol was primarily designed to extend the Bitcoin protocol to allow for fully anonymous currency transactions. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to ensure that transactions are valid without revealing any additional information about them. This means that while it’s possible to prove that a transaction occurred, it’s impossible to determine who was involved or what the amount was.

ZCash

Zcash, on the other hand, took the Zerocoin protocol and improved upon it. The Zerocash protocol, used by Zcash, not only hides the origin and destination of a transaction, but also the transaction amount. This is done through a novel cryptographic method called zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge).

zk-SNARKs

zk-SNARKs allow for the verification of transactions without the need for interaction between the prover and the verifier, and without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement. This ensures that transactions on the Zcash network remain entirely private, yet still verifiable.

In addition to privacy, Zcash also offers the option for selective transparency. This means that while transactions can be made private by default, users have the option to reveal certain transaction details for purposes of compliance or audit.

These features make Zcash and Zerocoin unique in the world of cryptocurrencies, offering a balance between privacy, transparency, and security.