0x0.ai vs Zama: Which privacy protocol fits? (2026)

Both projects target privacy on Ethereum, but they protect different things. 0x0.ai centers on Arcane, a wallet for sending and receiving tokens through stealth addresses. Its planned Spectre DEX is meant to add private spot and leveraged trading, but the homepage marks those features as coming soon. Zama uses fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) so token amounts and balances can stay encrypted on public blockchains. Its described live products include confidential tokens, vaults and swaps on Ethereum.

That distinction matters: stealth addresses and encrypted balances are different privacy approaches, and neither should be treated as a promise of complete anonymity. Zama also offers developer tooling, including an SDK and the ERC-7984 token standard. 0x0.ai is more focused on its wallet and token-holder revenue proposition. For a user seeking a broader set of live confidential DeFi tools, Zama has the clearer offering today.

Zama has the larger listed TVL by a wide margin: about $119.8 million compared with about $254,000 for 0x0.ai. TVL is a measure of assets associated with a project, not a guarantee of safety, liquidity or future performance. The two figures also do not tell you whether a particular product will suit your needs.

Both projects list Ethereum as their chain. Zama’s described products include confidential tokens, vaults and swaps, as well as tools for developers building with encrypted balances. 0x0.ai’s available product is Arcane Wallet, while Spectre—the planned private DEX—is not yet presented as live. The projects also have tokens: 0x0.ai’s is 0X0 and Zama’s is ZAMA. 0x0.ai says 100% of its revenue is redistributed to token holders, but it does not explain the mechanics or publish the fees that generate that revenue. Treat token exposure separately from whether the privacy product itself meets your needs.

Neither project publishes its product fees. 0x0.ai does not state charges for Arcane Wallet, swaps or the planned Spectre DEX. It says revenue is redistributed to 0X0 holders, but does not explain the fee amounts or how the revenue-sharing mechanism works. Zama has not published charges for shielding, unshielding, swaps or vault deposits.

Ethereum network gas may also apply. For either project, check the app and documentation for product-level charges and review the transaction confirmation before signing. Zama notes that encrypted computation may carry costs beyond ordinary transfers, but does not give a price. There is not enough published fee information to say which project is cheaper. If cost is a deciding factor, compare the charges shown for the specific action you plan to take rather than assuming that an advertised privacy feature has no service fee.

0x0.ai has two audits listed, but it does not name the auditors or explain the audit scope. Zama has no audits listed and no public audit reports. Zama links to a Security Status page; review it before interacting. These differences are useful to know, but an audit listing is not a guarantee that a contract or wallet is free from vulnerabilities.

Both projects still carry smart-contract and implementation risk. Zama’s FHE approach is newer and less battle-tested than standard smart contracts, and shielding tokens involves depositing them into a contract. 0x0.ai is a small, early-stage project with relatively low TVL, and its privacy and security descriptions provide limited technical detail. Its stealth-address approach should not be confused with full transaction anonymity. Token price risk applies to both projects’ tokens, while 0x0.ai’s stated revenue sharing adds another reason its appeal may depend on 0X0’s value. Check local rules before using privacy tools.

Choose Zama if you want to use live confidential tokens, vaults or swaps, or if you are a developer seeking a token standard, SDK and documentation for encrypted balances. Its larger listed TVL and broader product set make it the more developed choice for confidential DeFi, although fees are unpublished and audits are not listed. Its confidentiality features are not the same as anonymity, and its FHE tooling has implementation risk.

Choose 0x0.ai if your main interest is stealth-address transfers through Arcane Wallet and you are willing to assess a smaller, early-stage project. Do not choose it on the assumption that Spectre is already available: its private DEX features are marked as coming soon. Its two listed audits are a positive distinction, but the auditors and scope are not named. In either case, verify current product details, costs and local rules before depositing funds.