What is Zano?

Zano is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency built from the ground up with a hybrid PoW/PoS consensus and advanced privacy features. Utilizing Zarcanum, the first hidden-amount Proof-of-Stake model, Zano ensures confidential transactions, private asset creation, and seamless decentralized applications (dApps). With privacy by default and a secure, scalable design, Zano is redefining financial freedom in the digital age.

Use the multichain Bitcoin.com Wallet app, trusted by millions to safely and easily buy, sell, trade, and manage bitcoin and the most popular cryptocurrencies, including ZANO!

What is Zano?

Zano is a layer-1, open-source cryptocurrency and ecosystem designed for enterprise-grade privacy, security, and decentralization. It serves as the foundation for privacy-focused decentralized applications (dApps) and enables the creation of Confidential Assets, Escrow Contracts, Aliases, and more.

Unlike many blockchains, Zano ensures privacy by default-hiding transaction amounts, addresses, and even asset types from public view. At its core, Zano introduces Zarcanum, the world’s first hidden-amount Proof-of-Stake consensus model, setting a new benchmark in blockchain privacy.

Before diving in, you may find it helpful to explore our guides on cryptocurrencies and altcoins. Also, learn about Bitcoin and its privacy aspects, and explore the importance of privacy and security in the crypto world.

Key Features of Zano

🔹 Privacy & Security

Zarcanum: A groundbreaking anonymous Proof-of-Stake model where staking amounts remain hidden.
Untraceable Transactions: Utilizes d/v-CLSAG Ring Signatures and Stealth Addresses to obscure sender/receiver details.
Bulletproofs+: Ensures transaction amounts remain private while maintaining efficiency.
Auditable Wallets: Opt-in transparency for users or businesses that require verifiable financial records.

To understand how Zano enhances privacy and security, it's helpful to explore how privacy coins and coin mixers work.

🔹 Decentralization & Governance

Hybrid PoW/PoS Consensus: Merges Proof-of-Work security with Proof-of-Stake efficiency.
No Validator Nodes or Staking Minimums: Truly decentralized participation.
Zano DAO: On-chain governance where stakers vote anonymously on protocol upgrades.

Learn more about nodes and Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)

🔹 Ecosystem & Usability

Confidential Assets: User-created privacy-preserving tokens for private stablecoins, wrapped assets, and more.
Ionic Swaps: Privacy-preserving swaps within the Zano blockchain, improving upon atomic swaps.
Escrow Contracts: Customizable peer-to-peer settlements without intermediaries.
Marketplace API: Enables decentralized e-commerce and trustless trade.
Aliases: Replace complex blockchain addresses with human-readable @usernames.

Explore the principles of unstoppable money and censorship resistance.

Zano vs. Monero: A Privacy Coin Comparison

Feature	Zano	Monero
Privacy Tech	Zarcanum (Ring Signatures, RingCT, Stealth Addresses, Bulletproofs+)	RingCT, Stealth Addresses, Bulletproofs+
Consensus Model	Hybrid PoW/PoS	PoW only
Confidential Assets	✅ Yes	❌ No
Escrow Contracts	✅ Yes	❌ No
ETH Signature Compatibility	✅ Yes	❌ No
Governance	✅ On-chain voting via DAO	❌ No governance model

Unlike Monero, which primarily focuses on transactional privacy, Zano extends its capabilities to decentralized governance, private stablecoins, escrow services, and seamless cross-chain swaps, making it a more versatile privacy-focused blockchain.

Zano and the DeFi Ecosystem

Zano’s features position it as a privacy-first DeFi (decentralized finance) solution with:

Private Stablecoins: Issue privacy-preserving USDT equivalents using Confidential Assets.
Decentralized Private Trading: Zano Trade (a P2P platform similar to LocalBitcoins, but fully private).
Escrow-Powered Transactions: Conduct trustless transactions with customizable Escrow Contracts, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
Marketplace API: Enable private commerce and digital asset trading directly on the Zano blockchain.

With Ionic Swaps and Escrow Contracts, Zano is paving the way for trustless and decentralized private transactions within its ecosystem.

How to Buy ZANO

The easiest way to get ZANO is through the Bitcoin.com Wallet app. Besides that, ZANO can be obtained through select centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

How to Store and Manage ZANO

The most easiest-to-use wallet for storing and managing ZANO is the Bitcoin.com Wallet app. Besides that, here are the other options:

Desktop Wallet: A full-node wallet with staking support and advanced privacy features. Click here to learn more.
Mobile Wallet: A lightweight wallet offering instant access to Zano’s ecosystem. Click here to download.
Zano Companion (Metamask-like Browser Extension): A browser extension that enables authentication and interaction with dApps in the Zano ecosystem.

Learn about the different types of crypto wallets in general, how to choose the right one, and how to create your own.

Using Zano in the Bitcoin.com Wallet

The Bitcoin.com Wallet app supports Zano blockchain. This means you can seamlessly store, swap, send, and receive ZANO with just a few taps. Whether you're exchanging assets, making payments, or receiving funds, the Bitcoin.com Wallet makes managing ZANO easy and secure. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Creating a Zano Wallet

From the app's home screen, go to the ‘Wallets’ tab.
Select ‘ADD/IMPORT WALLET’.
Choose Zano as the wallet type.
Enter a name for your wallet.
Tap ‘CREATE ZANO WALLET’.

And that's it! You'll now see a Zano wallet on the app's home screen.

Swapping into ZANO

From the app’s home screen, tap the Swap button.
Select the asset and wallet you’d like to swap from.
Choose ZANO as the token to swap into.
Enter the amount to swap, confirm the details, and slide the arrow to complete the swap.

That’s it! Your ZANO will appear in your wallet shortly.

Receiving ZANO

Tap the Receive button on the app’s home screen.
Select ZANO from the list of assets.
A Zano address will be displayed-share this address with the sender.

Sending ZANO

Tap the Send button on the app’s home screen.
Select ZANO as the asset to send.
Paste in the recipient’s Zano address, or scan a QR code if available.
Enter the amount to send, confirm the details, and slide the arrow to complete the transaction.

Watch the instructional video below for a visual guide.

Conclusion

Zano is more than just another privacy coin-it is a privacy-first ecosystem for financial transactions, decentralized applications, and DeFi. With its Confidential Assets, hybrid consensus model, and Ionic Swaps, Zano stands at the forefront of the next generation of privacy-focused blockchain solutions.

Would you like to explore Zano’s ecosystem further? Visit the official Zano website and check out the Zano Documentation for more information.