> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cakewallet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cakewallet.com/cryptos/zcash.md).

# Zcash

Official Website: [z.cash](https://z.cash/)

Zcash `(ZEC)` is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that lets you send shielded (encrypted) transactions. Shielded transactions hide the sender, receiver, and amount on-chain, giving you strong financial privacy by default. Cake Wallet shields your funds automatically, so you get that privacy without extra steps.

{% hint style="info" %}
Migrating from Zashi? Follow our [Migrate from Zashi guide](https://docs.cakewallet.com/tutorials/zashi). We recommend creating a new Zcash wallet in Cake and sending your balance over, rather than restoring your Zashi seed.
{% endhint %}

## Seed Format

Cake Wallet uses a 12-word BIP39 seed for new Zcash wallets by default. Under `Advanced Settings` on the wallet creation screen you can choose a **24-word** BIP39 seed instead, and you can add a seed passphrase. When creating or restoring a wallet, you can use this seed phrase.

{% hint style="info" %}
Your BIP39 seed can be shared with your other Cake Wallet currencies as part of a [wallet group](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/managing-your-wallet/wallet-groups).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Restoring a **Zashi** seed in Cake Wallet will not show all of your funds, because Zashi handles change addresses differently. This is about how Zashi derives addresses, not about seed length — 24-word seeds created in Cake Wallet work normally. Create a new wallet in Cake and transfer your balance instead. See the [Zashi migration guide](https://docs.cakewallet.com/tutorials/zashi).
{% endhint %}

## Addresses

Zcash has both transparent (public, like Bitcoin) and shielded (private, encrypted) address types. Cake Wallet supports several, which you can switch between on the `Receive` screen:

* **Shielded** (Ironwood) — the default. A private, encrypted address. We recommend this for most uses.
* **Unified** — a shielded address compatible with wallets that expect a combined address format.
* **Legacy Shielded** (Sapling) — an older shielded address type for compatibility with wallets that do not support Orchard.
* **Transparent** (Disposable) — a public address that automatically rotates. Cake generates a new transparent address after each use for better privacy. Previous addresses continue to work.
* **Public** (Static & Transparent) — a public address that does not change. Use this only when you need a fixed transparent address.

{% hint style="info" %}
Transparent addresses are public, so anyone can see their balance and history on-chain. For maximum privacy, receive to a shielded address.
{% endhint %}

![Zcash receive screen showing the default shielded address in Cake Wallet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/zcash_01_receive_hl-1.png)

![Switching between Zcash address types in Cake Wallet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.4.1/zcash_02_address-types.png)

## Autoshielding

Cake Wallet automatically shields funds that arrive at your transparent addresses. When you receive to a transparent (public) address, the wallet moves those funds into the shielded pool for you, without any taps required.

This means you get the privacy of shielded Zcash even when a sender can only pay a transparent address.

{% hint style="info" %}
Autoshielding has a minimum amount. If the total shieldable balance sitting in your transparent addresses is **500,000 zatoshi (0.005 ZEC) or less**, the wallet skips shielding. Very small transparent receipts stay transparent until enough accumulates.
{% endhint %}

## Fees

Zcash network fees are paid in ZEC. Fees on Zcash are very low and are largely set by the network protocol.

You can still choose a fee priority. Under `Advanced Settings` → `Fees` on the send screen, Zcash offers five levels, in this order:

* **Slow**
* **Automatic** — the default, and what we recommend
* **Medium**
* **Fast**
* **Fastest**

Zcash uses the same five-level priority list as Monero. Because Zcash fees are already very low, leaving this on `Automatic` is almost always the right choice.


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