Why Choose ZecWallet?
ZecWallet is the premier wallet for **Zcash (ZEC)**. It fully supports "Shielded Transactions" (z-addresses), which encrypt the sender, receiver, and amount on the blockchain. Unlike many multi-coin wallets, ZecWallet enables encrypted **Memos**, making it a powerful tool for private communication and finance.
ZecWallet Lite
Best for most users. Syncs in minutes via LightClient servers. No huge downloads required.
ZecWallet FullNode
For advanced users. Runs a full `zcashd` node. Requires 50GB+ space but offers total independence.
Setup Guide
1 Step 1: Download & Verify
Go to zecwallet.org.
Install
Download the installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Choose Lite for instant access or FullNode if you have an SSD and time.
Verify (Advanced)
In Windows Command Prompt, run:
certutil -hashfile zecwallet-lite-windows-v1.8.8.exe SHA256
Compare this output with the checksum on the website.
2 Step 2: Initialization & Backup
Launch ZecWallet.
- Create New: Select "Create New Wallet".
- Seed Phrase: You will see a 24-word recovery phrase. Write this down on paper immediately. This is the only way to recover your funds.
- Sync:
- Lite: Syncs in 1-5 minutes.
- FullNode: Will download the entire blockchain (hours/days). Ensure you have 50GB+ free space.
3 Step 3: Shielded Transactions (Privacy)
Zcash has two address types: Transparent (t-addr) and Shielded (z-addr). For privacy, always use Shielded.
- Receive: Click the "Receive" tab. You will see two addresses. Copy the Shielded Address (starts with `z`). Sending funds here encrypts the transaction.
- Send: Click "Send". Paste a recipient's z-address.
- Encrypted Memo: If sending to another Z-address, you can add a text Memo. This message is fully encrypted and visible only to the recipient.
4 Step 4: Advanced Configuration (Tor & Tuning)
For maximum privacy and performance, configure the internal settings.
Enable Tor (Network Privacy)
1. Go to Settings (or run command line with `--tor`).
2. Enable Tor connection.
3. ZecWallet will route traffic through `127.0.0.1:9050`. Ensure you have the Tor service running in the background.
Performance Tuning (FullNode Only)
If syncing is slow, increase the database cache. Edit your `zcash.conf` or launch with arguments:
./zecwallet-fullnode -dbcache=4096
This allocates 4GB of RAM to syncing, speeding it up significantly.
Where to Spend Crypto
Zcash is a top-tier privacy coin. You can use it to store wealth privately or swap it for XMR/BTC to use at these markets.
Additional Resources
Technical documentation for ZecWallet:
Conclusion
You have successfully set up ZecWallet. Whether you use the Lite version for speed or the FullNode version for sovereignty, you now have the power of Zcash's advanced encryption at your fingertips. Remember to always use Shielded (z-) addresses for true privacy.
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