Privacy Gets an Upgrade: Gemini Adds Zcash Orchard Support

In August, Gemini became the first major exchange to support Zcash unified addresses. Today, the exchange is taking the next step by offering full support for Orchard, Zcash's most advanced privacy protocol.

If customers are already withdrawing Zcash to unified addresses, this upgrade happens automatically. Withdrawals now route to the strongest privacy layer available.

What's Orchard?

When Gemini launched unified address support, it connected customers to the Sapling shielded pool. Orchard takes that privacy to the next level.

The key difference? Orchard is built on pure cryptographic math using Halo 2 recursive proofs. Earlier protocols like Sprout and Sapling required elaborate "trusted setup ceremonies" that required participants to destroy secret data. Orchard eliminates that process entirely. No trust assumptions, no human ceremonies, just math.

Orchard also runs as its own dedicated privacy pool, intended to be isolated from any legacy vulnerabilities. It uses newer cryptographic foundations that provide stronger security guarantees and better protection against future threats.

Why This Matters

Modern Zcash wallets like Zashi now default to Orchard for new transactions. When exchange users generate a unified address in these wallets, they get an Orchard receiver.

By adding Orchard support, Gemini ensures withdrawals from Gemini automatically use the best privacy technology available. No extra steps or configuration.

What This Means for You

Customers already using unified addresses with Gemini can expect the following:

• Withdrawals now automatically route to Orchard when available
• There’s full compatibility with modern Zcash wallets like Zashi
• The same seamless experience with no changes to workflow
• Depositing to transparent Gemini addresses

The upgrade is automatic. Now users get the benefit of stronger privacy without changing anything.

Gemini launched unified address support because privacy should be accessible to everyone, not just technical experts. Adding Orchard keeps the company aligned with where the Zcash ecosystem is heading.

As Gemini said in August: "Cypherpunks write code." This not just about privacy, it’s about building the infrastructure that makes it real. Supporting Orchard means supporting the most advanced privacy technology available today.

This is how privacy should work: Simple for users, powerful under the hood.

Go Where Dollars Won’t,
Team Gemini