NEAR Protocol vs Zcash

General

Description

NEAR Protocol Logo
NEAR Protocol
 (NEAR)

NEAR is a blockchain and decentralized computing platform aiming to solve limitations of existing blockchains, such as scalability and transaction costs. It uses a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism and network fragmentation, known as sharding. NEAR also focuses on being developer-friendly, offering a range of tools for building applications.

What is NEAR Protocol?
Zcash Logo
Zcash
 (ZEC)

Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that uses zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs) to enable optionally fully shielded transactions. These transactions can be verified without revealing the sender, recipient, or amount. Built on Bitcoin’s codebase, Zcash pairs Bitcoin-level security with a choice between transparent and shielded addresses.

What is Zcash?
Page 1 of 0

Purpose and goals

NEAR Protocol Logo
NEAR Protocol
 (NEAR)
  • Smart contract platform
  • Decentralized applications
  • Scalability and interoperability
Zcash Logo
Zcash
 (ZEC)
  • Digital currency
  • Privacy
  • Shielded transactions (zk-SNARKs)
Page 1 of 0

Price and market data

Chart

NEAR Protocol
 (NEAR)

$4.8677

-6.7%
Zcash
 (ZEC)

$1,228.20

+1.7%
1D
1W
1M
1Y
Max
Market data
NEAR ProtocolZcash
All-time high
$20.44
Jan 16, 2022
-76.2%
$3,191.93
Oct 28, 2016
-61.5%
Crypto all-time highs
Market cap
$6.38B
$20.89B
Market share
0.23%
0.76%
Transaction volume (24h)
$597.96M
-30.8%
$832.04M
-35.4%
Exchange rate

1 NEAR = $4.8677

1 ZEC = $1,228.20

NEAR converterZEC converter
AI prediction 2026
$7.0287
+43.6%
$1,808.04
+45.8%
NEAR predictionZEC prediction
Price trend
Positive
(17/30 days)
Positive
(16/30 days)
Momentum
Positive
NegativePositive
Positive
Positive
NegativePositive
Positive
Relative Strength Index
Neutral
BuySell
Neutral

56.8

Neutral
BuySell
Neutral

54.6

News sentiment
Positive
NegativePositive
Positive (81/100)

Last 7 days

Positive
NegativePositive
Positive (80/100)

Last 7 days

NEAR newsZEC news
Price performance
--2.0%
--0.7%
Price performance
--6.7%
++1.7%
Price performance
++5.1%
--23.5%
Price performance
++124.6%
++429.6%
Annual return
++222.2%
++130.6%
Annual return
--69.9%
++808.6%
Annual return
++37.1%
++102.0%
NEAR returnsZEC returns
Average annual return
++197.2%
++170.6%
Max supply
–
21M
Circulating supply
1.31B
17M
Inflation
4.79%
Year
4.02%
Year
Crypto inflation

On-chain data

NEAR ProtocolZcash
Total Value Locked (TVL)
$230.72M
$2.92M
What is Total Value Locked?
Market cap/TVL (ratio)
27.67
7,157.62
Transactions (24h)
–
7,198
Active addresses (24h)
388
7,436

Our rating

What we think

NEAR Protocol Logo
NEAR Protocol
 (NEAR)
The NEAR Protocol and its decentralized cloud computing platform is another intriguing contender in the realm of smart contract platforms, positioning itself as a foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and other use cases. We particularly appreciate that NEAR deliberately integrates the so-called Aurora Network, enabling seamless communication with other blockchains like Ethereum. In our view, interoperability is a core feature that newer smart contract platforms must possess to remain competitive. Although we are closely watching developments within the NEAR ecosystem, there are still too many uncertainties regarding its future for us to consider an investment at this time. Ultimately, the success of any decentralized network hinges on its ability to retain developers and applications over the long term.
What is NEAR Protocol?
Zcash Logo
Zcash
 (ZEC)
Zcash is one of the most technically mature privacy coins in our eyes. zk-SNARKs enable optionally fully shielded transactions, while viewing keys allow selective disclosure for audits and compliance. The choice between transparent and shielded addresses strikes a good balance between privacy and verifiability. The trade-offs are real: shielded flows add complexity for wallets and interoperability, and regulatory scrutiny can impact listings and liquidity. The ecosystem is working on better wallet defaults, scaling, and potential changes to consensus. Bottom line: a strong, well-researched privacy stack with clear separation between transparency and confidentiality. Best for users who need financial privacy without giving up provability. We’re watching wallet UX, standardization, the network roadmap, and the regulatory backdrop.
What is Zcash?
Page 1 of 0

Key data

Key data
NEAR ProtocolZcash
Sector
Smart Contracts
Privacy
Key feature
Performance, Interoperability
Shielded Transactions (zk-SNARKs)
Founder
Erik Trautman, Alex Skidanov, Illia Polosukhin
Zooko Wilcox, Electric Coin Company
Developer
NEAR Foundation, NEAR Inc.
Electric Coin Company
Published
2020
2016
Institutional investors
  • a16z Crypto
  • Coinbase Ventures
  • Pantera Capital
  • Blockchain.com Ventures
  • IDEO Colab
  • Homebrew
  • etc.
  • Pantera Capital
  • Digital Currency Group (DCG)
  • Fenbushi Capital
  • Boost VC
  • Placeholder Ventures
  • Winklevoss Capital
  • etc.
Social media
1.83M followers
88,319 followers
Website
near.org
z.cash
Whitepaper
Whitepaper
Whitepaper

Technical details

Technical details
NEAR ProtocolZcash
Blockchain
NEAR Blockchain
Zcash Blockchain
Consensus mechanism
Proof of Stake (Doomslug)
Proof of Work
Staking
Yes
No
Open source
Yes
Yes
Energy consumption
Low
High
Transactions per second
2,000 TPS
20 TPS
NEAR Protocol vs Zcash

NEAR Protocol or Zcash

Market data comparison of NEAR versus ZEC

The current price of NEAR Protocol is $4.8677 and has decreased by 2.0% in the last 24 hours. Zcash is currently trading at $1,228.20, with a drop of 0.7% over the same period. NEAR Protocol has a market cap of $6.38B and ranks 19th. Zcash follows with a market cap of $20.89B, ranking 10th — meaning it is valued higher.

We automatically update all market data every 15 minutes, so you always have the latest figures for your comparison.

Should I buy NEAR Protocol or Zcash?

You should be aware that investing in cryptocurrencies carries risks, and we are neither allowed nor intending to provide investment advice. Still, we'd like to offer some food for thought: consider the opportunities and risks associated with both NEAR Protocol and Zcash. What target markets and problems are these two projects aiming to address?

If you're still unsure whether to invest in NEAR Protocol or Zcash, you can take a look at some additional market data to help with your decision:

Currently, NEAR Protocol is about -76.2% below it's all-time high of $20.44 reached Jan 16, 2022.
In comparison, Zcash is down approximately -61.5% from it's all-time high of $3,191.93 Oct 28, 2016.
NEAR Protocol currently has a 28.1% lower 24h transaction volume of $597.96M compared to Zcash with $832.04M.
Over the past year, NEAR Protocol achieved a total return of +124.6%, while Zcash returned +429.6%. Keep in mind, however, that past performance rarely guarantees future results.

Additional criteria for comparing cryptocurrencies:

  • What problem does the project aim to solve, and is a decentralized network meaningful and necessary for it?
  • How actively is the network being used?
  • Does the project have a large and active community?
  • How strong is the development activity? (e.g., on GitHub)
  • How decentralized is the underlying blockchain and the project itself?

How we evaluate cryptocurrencies

These are just a few indicators you can use to better evaluate and compare cryptocurrencies like NEAR Protocol and Zcash. Cryptocurrencies and their underlying technologies are often difficult to compare — even for professionals. So don’t stress yourself out, and never let emotions or fear of missing out drive your investment decisions.

Where can I buy NEAR Protocol or Zcash?

Today, there are many reputable and secure exchanges that make it easy to invest in NEAR Protocol and Zcash. We're happy to help you choose the right one: simply use our exchange comparison tool to find the platform that best suits your needs. Both NEAR Protocol and Zcash are well-known and in high demand, which means they're available on most major exchanges.

Crypto exchanges comparison

Which crypto wallet is best for NEAR Protocol and Zcash?

If you want to store cryptocurrencies like NEAR Protocol or Zcash yourself, choosing the right wallet is essential. Consider your personal preferences when deciding: Is ease of use important to you? Do you prefer maximum security with a hardware wallet (USB device), or is a software wallet sufficient for your needs? Our crypto wallet comparison helps you find the best wallet for NEAR Protocol, Zcash, and many other cryptocurrencies.

Crypto wallets comparison