MIT research scientist and Zcash co-founder Madars Virza has set off a fresh round of privacy-coin debate after arguing that Zcash’s shielded pool delivers materially stronger anonymity than Monero’s ring-signature model—and that Zcash’s design choices also give it an edge over Bitcoin in a post-quantum world. Virza framed the discussion with a pointed update to the “conservative advice” that circulated in Bitcoin’s early years. “Conservative advice back then: ‘allocate 1% of your NW to Bitcoin,’” he wrote on October 7. “Conservative advice today: ‘encrypt at least 1% of your Bitcoin.’” The shift in emphasis—from owning BTC to hardening its transactional privacy—set the stage for an extended technical exchange about how different privacy systems hold up under modern analysis. Zcash Better Than Monero And Bitcoin? Pressed by an X user on “Why not Monero ?”, Virza argued that Monero’s core privacy primitive—ring signatures with fixed-size decoy sets—creates a relatively small and attackable anonymity set. “Each Monero spend references the actual spend (just like in Bitcoin) plus 16 randomly decoys,” he wrote. “16 is not a large number and easily falls to generic attacks,” he added, pointing to research presentations on tracing heuristics. He further noted that real-world sampling biases can shrink the effective protection: “Because of biases in the random distribution, 16 is more like 4.2 in practice (OSPEAD attack).” In other words, even though each spend is bundled with 16 decoys, selection patterns can leak enough information that the true spender becomes statistically distinguishable far more often than users expect. By contrast, Virza said, Zcash’s fully shielded transfers avoid the small, fixed ring entirely. “Each shielded Zcash spend has an anonymity set of all previous Zcash outputs in that shielded pool—that’s millions and thus much more private,” he wrote. Because the system proves correctness with zero-knowledge proofs, the transaction does not have to disclose which prior note is being spent, so the anonymity set scales with the entire shielded pool rather than a handful of decoys. Virza also pointed to practical composability as a strategic advantage: “Another reason for Zcash is DeFi integrations—you have deep liquidity for atomic swaps.” In his view, those integrations make it easier for users to move value into and out of the shielded pool and, potentially, to “encrypt” portions of their Bitcoin exposure via swap-based workflows. ZEC Is Almost Quantum-Secure A second vector in Virza’s critique concerned long-term security against quantum adversaries . “Zcash is also post-quantum private (if you use unique shielded addresses) but a quantum adversary will be able to completely recover Monero transaction graph by breaking discrete logs for all key images,” he wrote. The point is subtle but consequential: Monero’s linkability-prevention relies on properties (discrete logarithms) that are known to be vulnerable to sufficiently advanced quantum computers , which could allow future attackers to map historical spending relations. Zcash’s shielded model, by design, leaves far less reconstructable metadata on-chain—so even if public-key systems eventually fall to quantum attacks, there is less transactional structure for an adversary to “unwind.” Zcash engineer Sean Bowe reinforced the same theme in a July exchange that Virza cited, arguing that Zcash’s privacy stems from the omission of sensitive data rather than the obfuscation of it. “For example, there is no quantum computer or powerful AI that will be able to look back at the Zcash blockchain 1000 years from now and figure out who made every fully shielded transaction,” Bowe wrote. “That information, among other things, never even touches the ledger. It’s already gone.” He added that while boundary surfaces—where shielded transactions meet exchanges, wallets, or other public systems—can still leak, the baseline is unusually strong: “To be certain about your privacy you must start by using shielded Zcash. You almost cannot even begin otherwise.” In Bowe’s words, Zcash begins from “something that is already extremely private” and is working toward global scalability from that foundation. At press time, ZEC is up almost 52% since yesterday, trading at $194.
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Software Engineer: Core Purpose of XRP Ledger In Institutional Settlement
A recent post by Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode), a respected software engineer and crypto expert, has prompted renewed focus on the purpose of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Many assume the network was designed for routine consumer transactions, but Van Code’s detailed explanation indicates a different picture that aligns closely with Ripple’s institutional goals . In his post, he noted that people often believe XRPL is meant “so you can pay for a coffee and the transaction pops up on XRPL.” He explained that this perception misses the core function of the ledger. Rather than facilitating hundreds of small purchases each day, XRPL was created for fast, low-cost movement of funds between banks, payment providers, and large financial institutions. Torpedo of truth: Many people assume the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is built so you can pay for a coffee and the transaction pops up on XRPL. That’s not the primary mission. XRPL was engineered for high-speed, low-cost settlement and liquidity flows between financial… — Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode) November 6, 2025 Institutional Efficiency Over Retail Transactions Van Code emphasized that XRPL’s architecture was “engineered for high-speed, low-cost settlement and liquidity flows between financial institutions.” This statement highlights why the network stands out in an industry that often focuses on consumer-level adoption. Its infrastructure supports the volume and velocity necessary for cross-border transactions , rather than the minute processing of everyday retail payments. To illustrate the concept, Van Code used a hypothetical scenario involving U.S. travelers spending around $18,000 in Japan through card transactions. Instead of recording each of the 200 small purchases individually on the ledger, he described a system where financial institutions handle those internally and later perform one or a few XRPL transactions to balance the day’s liquidity. This approach demonstrates the practical application of XRP as a settlement layer rather than a payment processor for each transaction. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 How This Supports XRP’s Role in Global Finance Van Code’s example captures the appeal of XRP in global settlement. The ability to process a high-value transaction on-chain within seconds and at minimal cost gives financial entities a reliable tool for managing liquidity and foreign exchange conversions. In his explanation, he noted that such settlements might involve converting “USD holdings into a USD-backed stable-coin (e.g., RLUSD) on XRPL, maybe then into XRP and/or into a Japanese-yen stable-token.” This chain of conversion highlights XRP’s utility as a bridge asset , enabling efficient movement between different currencies and stable-value tokens. Positioning for Real-World Adoption Van Code concluded that XRPL’s “real strength” lies in “moving big chunks of value quickly and efficiently between institutions.” His remarks help clarify the network’s direction and address misconceptions about its scope. While retail use cases remain possible, the ecosystem’s growth trajectory continues to favor institutional-grade operations. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Software Engineer: Core Purpose of XRP Ledger In Institutional Settlement appeared first on Times Tabloid . Bitcoinist
Exploring Top Altcoins Influenced by Whale Investments for Future Growth
As we navigate the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investments, a select few altcoins have captured the attention of major investors, or `whales,` marking them as prime candidates for investment in 2026`s emerging markets. Here, we delve into the characteristics and future potential of these top contenders. The Leading Altcoins Backed by Whale Investments The current market dynamics point towards three altcoins that are heavily favored by institutional and large private investors based on recent on-chain data: Digitap ($TAP), Ondo Finance (ONDO), and Celestia (TIA). These cryptocurrencies are not just benefiting from random spikes in interest but are seeing sustained inflows from these large wallets. 1. Digitap: Revolutionizing Banking Accessibility Worldwide Digitap stands out as a groundbreaking omni-bank poised to disrupt traditional banking systems by seamlessly integrating centralized and decentralized financial services. This new-age financial platform has garnered a staggering $1.4 million from whale investments, underscoring its appeal to savvy investors. The platform`s utility spans comprehensive financial services, much like what PayPal offered in its early days. This extensive utility is complemented by the platform`s strategic tokenomics, with 50% of its profits directed towards token burns and staking rewards, enhancing its attractiveness to long-term investors. Digital`s product has already launched and is accessible globally, reflecting its potential for widespread adoption and substantial returns on investment. 2. Ondo Finance: Bridging DeFi and Traditional Assets Ondo Finance has made a name for itself in the DeFi space by providing liquidity solutions that bridge conventional financial markets with decentralized finance, offering access to real-world yields through blockchain technology. This innovative approach has led to a significant whale-driven accumulation of ONDO tokens, especially as the protocol focuses on tokenizing safe assets like U.S. Treasuries and corporate bonds. 3. Celestia: Pioneering Modular Blockchain Solutions Celestia is gaining traction as a modular blockchain that promises to solve scalability issues that have long plagued legacy blockchain architectures. The involvement of high-profile venture capital funds and early Ethereum backers further corroborates its robust future potential. This altcoin`s approach to independent blockchain deployment without the need for foundational layers offers a scalable solution that is attractive for developing extensive, decentralized applications. Strategic Insights Behind Whale Movements Understanding why whales are gravitating towards these particular altcoins sheds light on broader market trends. These investments are not just about capitalizing on short-term gains but are targeted towards projects with durable utilities, robust market strategies, and substantial growth potential. Each of these platforms, from Digitap`s innovative banking solutions to Celestia`s scalable blockchain infrastructure, presents a unique value proposition that aligns with the strategic investment behaviors of large-scale investors. Conclusion For those looking to diversify their cryptocurrency portfolio, considering where the smart money is headed could be a prudent strategy. Digitap, Ondo, and Celestia offer compelling reasons for their favored status among whales, highlighting their potential for significant impact and returns in the cryptocurrency markets. Learn more about Digitap and its offerings: Presale Details: https://presale.digitap.app Official Website: https://digitap.app Social Media: https://linktr.ee/digitap.app Exclusive Giveaway: https://gleam.io/bfpzx/digitap-250000-giveaway Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Bitzo, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Bitcoinist

