What SDKs are available for building on Zcash?

The main Zcash SDKs include librustzcash (the core Rust library), the Zcash Android SDK (Kotlin), the Zcash iOS SDK (Swift), and the Zcash Swift SDK. All are maintained by the Electric Coin Company and support Orchard shielded transactions.

How do I set up a Zcash testnet node?

Download zcashd or run Zebra (the ECC reference implementation). Configure zcash.conf with testnet=1, connect to testnet peers, and use the built-in faucet to request test ZEC. Full details in our testnet setup guide.

Can I build shielded payment apps on Zcash?

Yes. The Zcash SDKs provide full APIs for sending and receiving shielded transactions programmatically. You can integrate shielded ZEC payments into mobile apps, web services, and backends using the official SDK methods.

Is Zcash open source and developer-friendly?

Yes. All Zcash software - zcashd, Zebra, and all official SDKs - is open source under the MIT/Apache licenses. The Electric Coin Company and Zcash Foundation actively fund developer grants for building on Zcash.

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🛠 Zcash Developer Hub

Build on Zcash - Developer Tools, SDKs & Privacy-First Infrastructure

The Studio for Zcash Developers. Explore SDKs, APIs, testnet guides, and Layer 2 tools for building privacy-native applications on ZEC.

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🪙 What is Zcash?

Programmable Privacy - ZEC as the Foundation for Private Applications

Zcash is not just a cryptocurrency - it is a programmable privacy protocol that gives developers the building blocks for truly confidential financial applications.

Based on the Zerocash academic paper and launched in 2016, Zcash pioneered the use of zk-SNARKs in production blockchains. For developers, this means access to cryptographic primitives - Orchard notes, spend descriptions, output descriptions, and unified addresses - that can be composed into private payment applications, shielded wallets, and confidential DeFi protocols.

The Electric Coin Company and Zcash Foundation actively maintain production-ready SDKs in Rust, Kotlin, and Swift, with RPC APIs and testnet infrastructure available for development and testing.

🌐 Official Zcash 💻 GitHub 📚 Docs 📊 CMC

Disclaimer: We are independent Zcash enthusiasts. Not affiliated with the Zcash Foundation or Electric Coin Company.

⚡ Why Build on Zcash

Four Reasons Developers Choose Zcash

Privacy, performance, open standards, and ecosystem support make Zcash the ideal platform for confidential applications.

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Native Privacy Primitives

Access zk-SNARK circuits, Orchard notes, and unified addresses directly through the SDK - no third-party privacy layers required.

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Cross-Platform SDKs

Official production-ready SDKs for Rust, Android (Kotlin), and iOS (Swift). Build native mobile wallets and payment apps with full shielded transaction support.

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Testnet & Developer Tools

Full testnet environment with faucet, block explorer, and RPC API mirror. Test your integrations without using real ZEC.

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Developer Grants

The Zcash Foundation and ZCG offer developer grants for building Zcash ecosystem tools. Open applications for protocol work, wallets, and infrastructure.

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Professional Zcash Developer Tools

Professional Zcash developer tools, SDKs, and Layer 2 infrastructure - coming soon. Join the waitlist to be among the first to access our full developer suite.

📝 Latest Developer Guides

Zcash Development Tutorials & Guides

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TutorialMay 2025

How to Build a Zcash Payment App: Step-by-Step Tutorial

End-to-end guide to building a functional Zcash payment application using the official SDKs.

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SDK GuideMay 2025

Zcash SDK Developer Guide 2025

Comprehensive overview of librustzcash, Android SDK, iOS SDK, and Kotlin SDK features and capabilities.

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APIMay 2025

Zcash RPC API Guide: Commands and Integration

Master the Zcash RPC API - authentication, key commands, and integration patterns for backend developers.

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❓ Developer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Zcash Developers

Zcash has official SDK support for Rust (librustzcash), Kotlin/Android, and Swift/iOS. The node software (zcashd) exposes a full JSON-RPC API accessible from any language. Community libraries also exist for Python, JavaScript, and Go.

The official Zcash testnet faucet is available at faucet.zecpages.com. Configure your node with testnet=1 in zcash.conf and your testnet address (starting with tm) will be eligible for faucet funds. Testnet ZEC has no monetary value.

Sapling (activated 2018) was the first efficient shielded pool using Groth16 proofs. Orchard (activated 2022 via NU5) uses Halo 2 proofs which eliminate the need for a trusted setup ceremony and improve security. New applications should target Orchard via Unified Addresses.

Yes. You can run a zcashd node with RPC enabled and call it from your backend server to monitor addresses, generate invoices, and verify payments. For shielded payments, use the z_getbalance, z_sendmany, and z_listreceivedbyaddress RPC methods.

The Zcash Community Grants (ZCG) program funds development work. Applications are submitted at zcashcommunitygrants.org. The Zcash Foundation also runs grant programs for research and ecosystem development at zfnd.org.