THORChain Launches Zcash Pool, Opening New ZEC Trading Venue

• THORChain launched its ZEC liquidity pool after completing a network-wide node churn.
• All THORChain nodes are now monitoring the Zcash blockchain ahead of trading.
• ZEC liquidity remains shallow, with native trading still awaiting activation.

THORChain has launched its Zcash (ZEC) liquidity pool after completing a network-wide node churn, bringing the privacy-focused asset closer to native cross-chain trading. The protocol said all nodes now monitor the Zcash blockchain, with direct trading as the next step.

THORChain Activates ZEC Liquidity Pool

In an October 2 post on X, THORChain announced the launch of its ZEC liquidity pool after completing a network-wide node churn. The protocol said all nodes are now monitoring the Zcash blockchain, marking a key step in the integration.

The pool creates a permissionless liquidity venue for ZEC within THORChain’s cross-chain ecosystem. However, the launch does not mean native ZEC trading is already active, as THORChain identified trading as the next stage.

Liquidity remains shallow during the initial phase, according to the protocol. As a result, THORChain advised users to exercise caution as liquidity develops and trading functionality approaches activation.

The protocol did not disclose the pool’s current liquidity depth or provide a specific date for enabling native ZEC swaps. Limited liquidity can increase slippage and price impact, particularly for larger transactions.

The $ZEC pool is now live on THORChain.

The network churned and every node is watching the Zcash chain. @Zcash now has a truly permissionless venue.

Trading is the next step. Liquidity is shallow for now and will grow over time, so trade with caution in the early days. pic.twitter.com/sVEj0K4xNQ

— THORChain (@THORChain) October 2, 2026

Zcash Integration Follows Months of Development

The ZEC pool launch follows several months of technical work aimed at integrating Zcash into THORChain’s infrastructure. The network’s v3.16.0 upgrade introduced Zcash-specific UTXO handling and remote procedure call logic.

The upgrade also added ZEC to THORChain’s enshrined oracle, allowing the network to incorporate native Zcash price data into its protocol operations.

Development continued through September as developers addressed transaction-signing inconsistencies involving Zcash transaction expiry. The changes established an agreed Zcash blockchain height for transaction expiry across nodes.

THORChain also adjusted its handling of transaction retries and restarts to preserve the agreed expiry information. These changes were designed to improve consistency when nodes process Zcash transactions.

The latest pool activation therefore marks another stage in a broader integration process rather than an isolated listing. Once trading becomes available, users could swap ZEC through THORChain without relying on a centralized exchange.

The launch also comes as questions remain around the scope of Zcash support. THORChain has not specified whether the new pool will support shielded ZEC transactions, leaving that functionality unclear.

For now, ZEC has entered THORChain’s live liquidity infrastructure, while native trading awaits activation. The protocol’s next focus will be enabling swaps and allowing liquidity to develop around the new pool.