ECC plans to release the Halo Arc for Zcash product suite later this year. With it, we’re introducing “auto-shielding” in our mobile wallet SDKs and unified addresses at the Zcash protocol level. In supporting wallets, these two features ensure your Zcash transaction and balance information is automatically encrypted — Shielded by Default — in the latest, most secure shielded pool.
How it works
Auto-shielding automatically moves funds from a transparent Zcash address to the latest shielded ZEC pool supported by the wallet. This includes all ZEC received to the wallet, transparent or shielded, so users can rest easy that all their funds will be shielded.
The unified address is a single address encoding that currently includes up to three Zcash address types (i.e., Transparent, Sapling and Orchard). This future-proof Zcash address format improves usability and increases the ease of interoperability between shielded-only and transparent-only wallets and exchanges, and supports shielding Zcash by default. Wallets and exchanges that support auto-shielding along with unified addresses that include the latest ZEC shielded pool will facilitate increased user privacy and a better overall user experience. These features together represent Shielded by Default.*
| Shielded by Default
Auto-shielding plus unified addresses plus support for the latest shielded pool in a supported wallet facilitate increased privacy and a better user experience. |
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|---|---|---|
| Auto-shielding
UX feature in ECC Wallet SDKs that moves funds from a transparent address to a shielded address |
Unified Addresses
Protocol feature that creates a single address encoding with multiple address types (ex – Transparent, Sapling, Orchard) |
Support for the latest shielded pool
Orchard will be released with NU5. It is the latest, most secure ZEC pool and uses the Halo 2 proving system, removing the need for the trusted setup and upgrading the protocol’s underlying cryptography. |
ECC would like to see 100 percent of our ecosystem partners support unified addresses and as many as possible adopt Shielded by Default. Here’s how everyone from ecosystem partners to end-users can get involved.
Support
As with any network upgrade, ECC is creating resources and documentation, including a Network Upgrade Guide, so that partners can easily integrate the new features of the Halo Arc for Zcash product suite.
ECC has also created additional tools to support developers such as parsing libraries and technical demo videos.
Partners who support Shielded by Default at NU5 Mainnet Activation will be listed on z.cash as first-class wallets. Wallets that are shielded by default offer a massive usability improvement for their users, making it easier to move funds into the shielded pool and benefit from the latest Zcash technology.
These features activate on testnet in mid- to late-August. ECC is doing everything in our power to ensure ecosystem partners have what they need to test out and implement Halo Arc features. UAs, along with auto-shielding represent an exciting new era for Zcash, one where users don’t have to juggle between multiple address types.
The broader Zcash community can also get the word out. Contact your favorite wallet providers and let them know you want your Zcash Shielded by Default.
* Note that after the activation of NU5, all stand-alone addresses (transparent, Sapling and Sprout) will be considered legacy addresses. Unified addresses will be completely compatible with Sapling and transparent legacy addresses.
ECC plans to launch the Halo Arc for Zcash product suite later this yr. With it, we’re introducing “auto-shielding” in our cellular pockets SDKs and unified addresses on the Zcash protocol stage. In supporting wallets, these two options guarantee your Zcash transaction and stability data is mechanically encrypted — Shielded by Default — within the newest, most safe shielded pool.
The way it works
Auto-shielding mechanically strikes funds from a clear Zcash handle to the newest shielded ZEC pool supported by the pockets. This contains all ZEC acquired to the pockets, clear or shielded, so customers can relaxation simple that each one their funds will probably be shielded.
The unified handle is a single handle encoding that at present contains as much as three Zcash handle varieties (i.e., Clear, Sapling and Orchard). This future-proof Zcash handle format improves usability and will increase the convenience of interoperability between shielded-only and transparent-only wallets and exchanges, and helps shielding Zcash by default. Wallets and exchanges that help auto-shielding together with unified addresses that embrace the newest ZEC shielded pool will facilitate elevated person privateness and a greater total person expertise. These options collectively signify Shielded by Default.*
| Shielded by Default
Auto-shielding plus unified addresses plus help for the newest shielded pool in a supported pockets facilitate elevated privateness and a greater person expertise. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Auto-shielding
UX function in ECC Pockets SDKs that strikes funds from a clear handle to a shielded handle |
Unified Addresses
Protocol function that creates a single handle encoding with a number of handle varieties (ex – Clear, Sapling, Orchard) |
Help for the newest shielded pool
Orchard will probably be launched with NU5. It’s the newest, most safe ZEC pool and makes use of the Halo 2 proving system, eradicating the necessity for the trusted setup and upgrading the protocol’s underlying cryptography. |
ECC want to see one hundred pc of our ecosystem companions help unified addresses and as many as doable undertake Shielded by Default. Right here’s how everybody from ecosystem companions to end-users can become involved.
Help
As with all community improve, ECC is creating assets and documentation, together with a Community Improve Information, in order that companions can simply combine the brand new options of the Halo Arc for Zcash product suite.
ECC has additionally created further instruments to help builders corresponding to parsing libraries and technical demo movies.
Companions who help Shielded by Default at NU5 Mainnet Activation will probably be listed on z.money as first-class wallets. Wallets which might be shielded by default provide an enormous usability enchancment for his or her customers, making it simpler to maneuver funds into the shielded pool and profit from the newest Zcash know-how.
These options activate on testnet in mid- to late-August. ECC is doing all the pieces in our energy to make sure ecosystem companions have what they should check out and implement Halo Arc options. UAs, together with auto-shielding signify an thrilling new period for Zcash, one the place customers don’t need to juggle between a number of handle varieties.
The broader Zcash neighborhood may also get the phrase out. Contact your favourite pockets suppliers and allow them to know you need your Zcash Shielded by Default.
* Observe that after the activation of NU5, all stand-alone addresses (clear, Sapling and Sprout) will probably be thought-about legacy addresses. Unified addresses will probably be utterly appropriate with Sapling and clear legacy addresses.
