## Good evening Steemians ## In this __series of articles__ I want to put a spotlight on a __specific cryptocurrency__ and write about the details in all these aspects: - __Aim of the currency__ - __Technical details__ - __Market position__ - __Forecast__ The cryptocurrency in focus will be chosen __at random__, although I am for sure following all recent news in the cryptocurrency world and am taking always one of the most interesting ones. In this __2nd article__ of the series, the spotlight will be on __ZCash__

PictureSource ### Aim of the Currency ### What is this __currency about?__ What does it do differently than the rest?
Where is the __unique selling point__ and at what audience is this coin targeted. All that questions and __more will be answered__ in the following paragraph. ZCash is __advertising itself__ with the statement "If Bitcoin is like http for money, ZCash is like https - a __secure transport layer__". To cut a long story short, Zcash implemented a method of __transferring money__ in a __private__ way, this allows all transaction data, sender, receiver and amount to be private. This is made possible by using a very specialized cryptography called __zk-SNARK__, which allows verifying the correctness of a transaction __without knowing__ the transaction __details__. Apart from this private transaction possibilities, it is __also possible__ to transfer money in a __normal transparent way__, the differentiation is already done on address level. ### Technical Details ### __ZCash bases on__ the code of __Bitcoin__, but with a lot of additions especially in the cryptography section. So like Bitcoin ZCash is __PoW (Proof-of-Work) Coin__, meaning that the new blocks are getting mined by using computational power. The mining uses an algorithm called __Equihash__, which is deemed __ASIC-Proof__ and can best be mined with modern GPUs (graphic processing units). It is __still possible__ to have a __positive ROI__ when __mining ZCash__, even though prices have settled a bit already if you want to check for yourself take a look at this [link](www.whattomine.com). It also shares the same __maximum amount of coins__, 21 Million ZEC can be mined. __10%__ of the __mining rewards__ are going to be distributed to the stakeholders within the ZCash Company as __founders reward__. The __main difference__ between ZCash and Bitcoin is basically the __possibility__ to send or receive money in a __private__ way. This means that all of this transaction data is __stored encrypted__ on the blockchain, only readable by the sender and the receiver. ### Market Position ### At the time of writing this article(10/22/2017) __ZCash is placed 18th__ in __market capitalization,__ with the total value of __520.582.844 $.__ What can be said for sure is that currently a __concentration of investments__ is taking place in __Bitcoin__, therefore most altcoins have recently experienced __quite a drop__ in price. Reasons for this can be seen in the __upcoming fork__ of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Gold. It seems to be very attractive for investors to get __another coin__ for no additional price. This movement can be __clearly seen__ by taking a look at the 1-month chart. ![Zcash1m](https://image.ibb.co/k1e5y6/Zcash1m.jpg) GraphSource
If we are looking __back further__ than that we see the general rise in __April-July__ (happened all over the crypto market) and a quite bumpy road from there on. The __Spike__ that can be seen __ending September__ has been caused by the listing of ZCash on __Bithumb__, a big south Korean exchange. ![ZCash1Y](https://image.ibb.co/gD7Hd6/ZcashYTD.jpg) GraphSource ### Forecast ### Generally, the __idea__ behind ZCash is __absolutely valid__. Having the possibility to __keep transaction data private__ is for sure a big asset in the crypto market. Just recently __Ethereum also implemented__ this into the toolbox, but up to now, all transfers on Ethereum are as private as they have been before. This clearly shows that there is __a market for secure transactions__. ZCash itself currently focuses on bringing up a new generation crypto, __enabling also smartphone users__ and they are also still working on the __connection between ZCash and Ethereum__. Once the __Bitcoin hype__ is fading again, __after the fork__, I personally think that investors will share again __some love with Zcash__. ### Conclusion ### ZCash was the first cryptocurrency in which you are able to __hide transaction details__ and __encrypt the entries on the blockchain__. This is a huge advantage compared to Bitcoin, where all transaction details are stored readable on the blockchain. If the __ZCash team can deliver__ the __new generation crypto__ fast and enable smartphone users, there is for sure going to be a __raise in price__. Last but not least there are also __some drawbacks__ and they should not be unmentioned: - PoW Coin, mining __can be seen as a waste of energy__. - __10% Founders reward__ on mining directly going to ZCash Company. - __Privacy of transaction__ has been also viewed with __criticism__. Authored by: @jedigeiss
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