TLDR:
- Gemini now supports Zcash’s Orchard Unified Addresses for fully private ZEC transactions.
- The upgrade uses Halo 2 cryptography, eliminating trusted setups used in older Zcash models.
- Withdrawals from Gemini automatically route to Orchard, enhancing privacy by default.
- Modern Zcash wallets like Zashi are now fully compatible with Gemini’s Orchard integration.
Gemini has rolled out full support for Zcash’s Orchard protocol, marking a key milestone in private crypto transactions. The exchange’s latest upgrade enables users to send and receive ZEC using unified addresses that combine both shielded and transparent transactions.
Built on Halo 2 cryptography, Orchard eliminates the need for trusted setups used in older Zcash systems. The move positions Gemini as one of the first major exchanges to adopt Zcash’s most advanced privacy technology.
Gemini’s Upgrade Brings Next-Level Zcash Privacy
According to Gemini’s announcement on X, the Orchard rollout follows its earlier adoption of Zcash unified addresses in August. Those addresses allowed users to manage private and public ZEC payments through a single destination.
Now, withdrawals from Gemini automatically route to Orchard, ensuring every transaction benefits from the highest privacy layer available. The exchange stated that the transition is seamless for users already using unified addresses.
Orchard introduces new cryptographic protections through recursive zero-knowledge proofs, removing prior dependencies on human “trusted setup” ceremonies. Previous versions like Sprout and Sapling relied on participants securely destroying setup data to maintain system integrity.
Gemini noted that Orchard replaces this process with pure mathematics, providing stronger security and long-term reliability.
The protocol operates as a separate privacy pool, isolating it from legacy vulnerabilities. This ensures ZEC transfers are not only private but also resistant to future cryptographic risks.
Gemini’s full integration guarantees that any withdrawal made through its platform automatically utilizes these modern safeguards.
Modern Zcash wallets such as Zashi now default to Orchard when generating unified addresses. By aligning with this ecosystem shift, Gemini ensures compatibility across wallets while simplifying the user experience.
The upgrade requires no additional steps, privacy is activated by default.
Built on Halo 2: A Stronger Foundation for Privacy
Halo 2 powers the Orchard protocol, enabling faster proof generation and improved scalability. This cryptographic framework supports recursive proofs, allowing Zcash transactions to remain verifiable without external trust assumptions.
Gemini emphasized that this evolution marks a turning point in on-chain privacy, combining technical rigor with usability.
The exchange’s Head of Onchain, Eric Kuhn, described the update as part of Gemini’s mission to make privacy accessible to everyone. The platform’s approach ensures that strong cryptography functions invisibly behind familiar workflows.
Users can continue depositing and withdrawing ZEC as before, while benefiting from a more secure backend.
Gemini’s integration also reflects a broader industry push toward privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure. As centralized platforms face scrutiny over data handling, adopting transparent privacy tools like Orchard may set new standards for user protection. For Zcash holders, this upgrade means enhanced anonymity without sacrificing convenience.
The post Gemini Expands Zcash Privacy Support With Full Orchard Integration appeared first on Blockonomi.
Source: https://blockonomi.com/gemini-expands-zcash-privacy-support-with-full-orchard-integration/