Gate is a centralized crypto exchange founded in 2013 offering spot, futures, stocks and earn products for traders who want one multi-asset account.
TVL $5.84B−4.6%Ethereum · Bitcoin · BNB Chain +129
Ecosystem guide
The Zcash ecosystem
The best dApps on Zcash by sector: DeFi, games, NFTs and more. 7 projects tracked, 7 reviewed in full.
Full Zcash ranking →- dApps
- 7
- Reviewed
- 7
- TVL tracked
- $3.11M
- Native token
- ZEC
Zcash is a privacy-focused blockchain that began as a fork of Bitcoin's codebase and launched in October 2016. It keeps a Bitcoin-style design, with proof-of-work mining and a transaction model based on unspent outputs, and adds zero-knowledge proofs known as zk-SNARKs. These let a user make a shielded payment that hides the sender, receiver and amount, or choose a transparent payment that is visible on the public ledger. Zcash is not an EVM chain, and it does not have a general smart-contract layer like Ethereum.
The native token is ZEC. It pays network fees and moves between transparent and shielded addresses. Fees on the base chain are generally small, though exact costs depend on the wallet and the transaction type. DeFi activity directly on Zcash is minimal, with total value locked of only about $3.1M at the time of writing, so most of the value tied to the chain's apps sits in services that connect Zcash to other networks.
Because of that, the dApps listed here lean toward exchanges and cross-chain tools. Centralized platforms such as Binance, Bitget, Gate and Backpack offer ZEC trading alongside many other assets. Unit and Maya Protocol focus on moving native assets between chains, and Ghostswap provides account-free swaps. Our site lists 8 dApps for Zcash, so use the pages to compare what each one supports before you send any funds. Exchange and trading services may carry age and legal limits, so check the rules where you live first.
Zcash ecosystem in numbers
- Tracked
- 7
- Reviewed
- 7
- Total TVL
- $140B
- Avg. score
- 7.2/10
Largest by TVL
- 1
Binance CEX$127B
- 2
Gate$5.84B
- 3
Bitget$5.82B
- 4
Unit$936M
- 5
Backpack$505M
Highest rated
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Maya Protocol7.0
Reviewed
Top-rated dApps on Zcash
Bitget is a centralized exchange for crypto spot and futures that also offers tokenized stocks, commodities and forex in one account, for active traders.
TVL $5.82B−1.3%Bitcoin · Solana · Ethereum +68
Backpack is a crypto exchange, US stock broker and self-custody wallet offering perps, lending yield and cross-collateral margin in one app.
TVL $505M−6.0%Solana · Bitcoin · Ethereum +26
Unit is the asset tokenization layer on Hyperliquid, letting users deposit and withdraw native assets like BTC, ETH and SOL.
TVL $936M−1.3%Bitcoin · Zcash · Ethereum +5
Maya Protocol is a THORChain fork that lets users swap native assets across chains such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Zcash, without wrapping or KYC.
TVL $5.90M−0.2%Zcash · Bitcoin · Ethereum +4
GhostSwap is an account-free crypto swap service with 1,600+ assets and a partner API that lets apps add swaps and earn a 0–4% markup paid in USDT.
Bitcoin · Ethereum · BNB Chain +2
By sector
Best Zcash dApps by sector
DeFi on Zcash5
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Ghostswap6.0
- 5
Infrastructure on Zcash2
- 1
- 2
Guides
Zcash guides
Token
What Are Privacy Coins? How Monero and Zcash WorkPrivacy coins use cryptography to limit what outsiders can learn from transactions. Learn how their designs differ, what privacy they do—and do not—provide, and which practical and regulatory risks to consider.
Blockchain
Blockchain Examples and How They WorkLearn how blockchains record and verify transactions, how consensus keeps a shared ledger in sync, and how Bitcoin, Ethereum and other networks put the technology to work. See practical examples, key trade-offs and ways to assess whether a blockchain is a good fit.
Blockchain
Blockchain for Data: Uses, Limits and How It WorksBlockchains can create shared records that are difficult to alter, but they are not a general-purpose replacement for databases or file storage. Learn what belongs on-chain, how blockchains connect to outside data, and when the trade-offs make sense.
Blockchain
Casper Network and CSPR: A Practical Guide for 2026Casper Network is a proof-of-stake blockchain, and CSPR is its native token. This guide explains the network’s purpose, how CSPR is used, and what to check before staking or transacting.
Blockchain
Cosmos Network Guide: Chains, IBC and ATOM in 2026Cosmos is an ecosystem of independent blockchains, not one chain that processes every app and token. Learn how the Cosmos Hub, Cosmos SDK and IBC fit together, what ATOM does, and how to assess transfers, staking and risks in 2026.
Blockchain
How the Bitcoin Lightning Network WorksThe Bitcoin Lightning Network moves payments through channels that sit on top of Bitcoin, so most transfers do not need their own blockchain transaction. Learn how channels, routing, fees and liquidity work, and what to consider before using Lightning.
Zcash FAQs
What is Zcash?
Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that began as a fork of Bitcoin's code and launched in October 2016. It lets users send ZEC either in the open or in shielded form, using zero-knowledge proofs to hide transaction details.
Is Zcash an EVM chain with DeFi apps?
No. Zcash is not an EVM chain and has no native smart-contract ecosystem like Ethereum's. Most of the dApps listed here are exchanges and cross-chain swap or bridge services that support ZEC alongside other assets.
What is ZEC used for?
ZEC is the native token. It is used to pay transaction fees and can be held in transparent or shielded addresses. Fees on the base chain are generally small, but they can vary with the wallet and the type of transaction.
How does Zcash privacy work?
Zcash has two kinds of addresses. Transparent ones work like Bitcoin and show amounts publicly, while shielded ones use zk-SNARK proofs so the sender, receiver and amount are not exposed on the public ledger. Users choose which type to use.
Which dApps let me swap or bridge ZEC?
Unit and Maya Protocol both support moving native assets such as ZEC across chains. Ghostswap is an account-free swap service that lists Zcash among its supported chains. Check each service's current asset list and fees before sending funds.
Are the centralized exchanges on this page safe to use with ZEC?
Exchange listings, like Binance, Bitget, Gate and Backpack, are centralized platforms that hold your funds and usually require identity checks. Online trading and derivatives rules vary by country, so confirm they are legal where you live and that you meet the minimum age, typically 18 or older, before using them.
What is the largest dApp on Zcash by TVL?
Binance CEX is the largest dApp on Zcash by total value locked, with $127B across all the chains it supports. It is followed by Gate ($5.84B) and Bitget ($5.82B). TVL figures come from DefiLlama and change daily.
Which dApp on Zcash has the highest DappsAtlas score?
How many dApps are on Zcash?
DappsAtlas tracks 7 dApps on Zcash. Of these, 7 have a full review and 6 report value locked, $140B in total, counting value on every chain they support.
What are the most common types of dApps on Zcash?
Centralized Exchanges (4), Bridge (1) and Cross Chain Bridge (1) are the largest categories on Zcash, by number of projects.
Which dApps on Zcash grew the most this week?
Among dApps with at least $1M locked, Binance CEX the biggest drop (−6.1%). Combined TVL moved −5.8% over the same seven days.
What is the average score for dApps on Zcash?
The 6 rated dApps on Zcash average 7.2 out of 10. Of these, 0 score 8 or higher and 0 score below 5.