Yeliz Akmaca 
Launched in 2019, Zano is a privacy and security-focused blockchain ecosystem. By default, all transactions are private and untraceable. Zano offers enterprise-grade scalability, security, and decentralization. The project uses ring signatures, stealth addresses, and Confidential Transactions to keep user transaction details hidden.
Zano’s distinguishing feature is its hybrid PoW/PoS consensus and Confidential Assets support. This enables high security while allowing developers to issue their own privacy tokens on the Zano chain.
Founders & Team
The key figure behind Zano is Andrey Sabelnikov (Zoidberg), the lead developer of the privacy-first CryptoNote protocol, which underpins Monero and other privacy projects. Another co-founder, Pavel Ravaga, plays a major role in strategic guidance and community development. The team has extensive experience in developing privacy-focused blockchains, including Boolberry and Zano.
Investors & Partnerships
Zano was funded via a small premine model, supporting development, marketing, and community growth. While maintaining decentralization, the project has begun integrations with popular wallets like Cake Wallet and Bitcoin.com Wallet.
Project Concept
- Zano’s primary goal is to be a Layer-1 blockchain with privacy as the default.
- Users can create their own Confidential Assets.
- Ionic Swaps enable secure, anonymous asset exchanges on-chain.
- Escrow contracts allow trustless P2P transactions.
- The nickname system (@username) provides a user-friendly experience.
Governance
- Zano employs a community-driven governance model.
- The Zano Governance system allows stakeholders to vote anonymously on network decisions.
- Foundation funds are intended to be decentralized via multi-signature wallets.
Roadmap Highlights
- Zarcanum Hardfork: Integration of RingCT, Confidential Assets, and the world’s first hidden PoS algorithm.
- Mobile Wallet: New app with Confidential Assets support.
- DEX: Trading Zano and Confidential Assets with Ionic Swaps.
- Browser Extension: DEX and wallet integration.
- New Wallet App (Q1 2026): Intuitive user interface.
- P2P Network Privacy Upgrade (Q1 2026): Enhanced network privacy research.
- Consensus Upgrade (Q1 2026): Strengthened network security.
- Hardware Wallet Support (Q2 2026): Integration for Zano and Confidential Assets.
Features
- Zarcanum: World’s first hidden-amount PoS scheme.
- Confidential Assets: User-generated privacy tokens.
- Ionic Swaps: Anonymous exchanges between crypto assets.
- Hybrid PoW/PoS: Enhanced security and double-spending prevention.
- Auditable Wallets: Optional transparent wallets.
- Core Performance: High computational efficiency and modularity.
- Untraceable Transactions: Ring signatures and stealth addresses.
- Nicknames: Short, memorable usernames.
- Escrow Contracts: Trustless, intermediary-free agreements.
- Marketplace API: Privacy integration for developers.
Token Utility
- ZANO serves multiple functions within the ecosystem:
- Paying transaction fees (all fees are burned—deflationary effect).
- PoS staking rewards.
- PoW mining rewards.
- Collateral for escrow contracts.
- Base asset for creating Confidential Assets.
- Voting in on-chain governance.
Token Information
- Token Name: Zano
- Launch Year: 2019
- Supply: No maximum, limited low-inflation emission.
- Total Supply: 14.31M
- Circulating Supply: 13.43M
Token Distribution: 100% block rewards to miners and stakers; premine of 3.6M ZANO (~5.4% of supply) for development and marketing.
Ecosystem
- Zano Trade (P2P Market): Secure crypto and fiat trading with escrow.
- Zano DEX: Private trading with Confidential Assets.
- Auditable Wallets: Optional transparency.
- Nicknames: User-friendly addressing system.
- Marketplace API: On-chain trading infrastructure for developers.
Official Links
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