Yeliz Akmaca 
ZERA is a zero-knowledge (ZK) privacy protocol developed on Solana. The project enables users to transfer their existing crypto assets (USDC, USDT, SOL, and more) privately, maintain shielded balances, and perform peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions without internet connectivity. Developed by ZERA Labs, the protocol preserves cash-like privacy while allowing users to retain control over their assets and remains compatible with existing stablecoin infrastructures.
Founder and Team
ZERA was founded by Hayden “Dax” Porter, a software engineer with prior experience at MetaMask, USAA, and Twitter. The project began as an academic research effort and was commercialized under Zera Labs in 2025.
Project Concept
ZERA’s core idea is to bring the privacy features of physical cash into the digital space (“Zero-Knowledge Cash”). Instead of creating a new Layer-1 blockchain, ZERA is implemented as a privacy protocol on Solana, a high-performance Layer-1 chain.
- Vision: ZERA adopts an “Enterprise Cypherpunk” philosophy, balancing user privacy (private transactions) with corporate auditability (transparent money supply).
- How it Works: Users deposit existing assets like USDC or SOL into the protocol and receive “cryptographic notes.” These notes can be transferred offline (without internet) and later redeemed for the original assets.
Protocol Mechanics
ZERA relies on several key components:
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Commitments & Nullifiers: Values are secured using Pedersen commitments, and unique nullifiers prevent double-spending.
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Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Transactions are verified with zk-SNARKs (Groth16), ensuring validators cannot see senders, receivers, or amounts.
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Unified Pool: All notes share a common anonymity set. Optional relayers can submit withdrawals on behalf of users to further hide network-level links.
Governance
Detailed governance mechanisms are expected to develop as the project matures. Long-term plans include transitioning ZERA into a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), giving token holders influence over network parameters and protocol updates.
Roadmap
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Testnet deployment and community feedback collection.
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Mainnet launch.
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Bridges and wallet integrations.
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Developer tools for privacy-focused dApps.
Token Utility
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Protocol governance
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Access to premium features
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Programmatic token burns and buybacks
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Early access to new products and services
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Enabling privacy and offline transaction capabilities
Tokenomics / Deflationary Structure
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Usage-driven programmatic burns
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Automatic burns tied to protocol volume
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Structural scarcity and value accrual
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No governance rights or yield promises
Token Details and Supply
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Total Supply: 999.37M ZERA
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Max Supply: 999.37M ZERA
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Circulating Supply: 963.44M ZERA
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Supported Assets: USDC, USDT, SOL, and others
Key Features
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Offline Payments: P2P transfers using NFC, Bluetooth, or QR codes without internet.
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Cryptographic Privacy: ZKP and Pedersen commitments for full anonymity.
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Perfect Divisibility: Automatic cryptographic change allows precise amounts.
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Secure Enclaves: Private keys stored in tamper-resistant hardware with biometric authentication.
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Anti-Double Spending: Nullifiers prevent double-spending while maintaining privacy.
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Solana Speed: Fast, low-cost USDC settlement for high-volume transactions.
Ecosystem
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ZERA Protocol: Open-source privacy protocol on Solana for anonymous digital cash.
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ZERA Hardware: Secure hardware wallet with offline transaction capability and biometric authentication.
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ZERA Enterprise: Privacy solutions for institutions requiring confidential transactions.
Official Links
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