T-Address (Zcash)

A t-address, or transparent address, is one of the address types used by Zcash, a cryptocurrency known for its optional privacy features. Transparent addresses begin with the letter "t" and work much like Bitcoin addresses: the sender, receiver and amount of each transaction are recorded openly on the blockchain, where anyone can inspect them with a block explorer. They contrast with Zcash's shielded addresses, whose shielded transactions use zero-knowledge proofs to hide these details. Transparent addresses were long the default for exchanges and many wallets, partly because they are simpler to support and easier to monitor for compliance. Funds can move between transparent and shielded pools, and newer Zcash wallets use unified addresses that can include both types. Critics note that heavy use of t-addresses weakens the privacy Zcash offers as a privacy coin.