Pay with Zcash: Shielded Payments for Private Connectivity
Zcash gives you the option of fully shielded transactions, protected by zero-knowledge proofs that hide the sender, the receiver, and the amount. We accept ZEC through our self-hosted BTCPay Server and settle into a shielded wallet, so a private coin buys you a private eSIM. No account, no email, no KYC.
Why Zcash Is a Strong Choice for Private Payments
Zcash pioneered zero-knowledge cryptography for money. When you send from a shielded address, the transaction is validated without ever revealing who sent it, who received it, or how much moved.
Zcash uses zk-SNARKs to prove a transaction is valid without disclosing its details. The math confirms the payment while the payment stays private.
Payments from shielded (Sapling and Orchard) addresses hide the sender, receiver, and amount. Nothing about the transfer is exposed on the public chain.
Shielded transactions can carry an encrypted memo readable only by the recipient. Metadata that would otherwise leak stays sealed.
Zcash gives you viewing keys, so you can prove a payment to a party of your choosing without making it public to everyone. Privacy on your terms.
Today's Zcash wallets spend from shielded funds by default and auto-shield transparent inputs, so getting real privacy no longer takes extra effort.
We Accept Zcash the Right Way
Zcash is only private if the whole flow respects it. Here is how we handle ZEC so your payment stays shielded end to end:
Shielded Settlement
Your ZEC lands in our shielded wallet. We watch for the payment with a view-only key, so we can confirm your order without holding spend access on the always-on server.
Self-Hosted BTCPay Server
Our payment processor is BTCPay Server, fully open-source and running on our own hardware. No Coinbase Commerce, no BitPay, no third parties.
No KYC, No Accounts
We do not require an account, email, or any personal information. Combined with a shielded ZEC payment, your purchase is unlinkable to your identity.
Direct, No Custodial Swap
When you pay in Zcash, we receive Zcash. There is no third-party processor sitting in the middle of your payment recording the transfer.
Zcash vs. Bitcoin: Privacy Comparison
Both are accepted at PikaSim. Here is how they compare when you use Zcash's shielded transactions:
| Privacy Feature | Bitcoin | Zcash (Shielded) |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Visibility | Public (anyone can view) | Hidden (zk-SNARKs) |
| Sender Identity | Pseudonymous (address visible) | Hidden (shielded) |
| Amount Sent | Visible on blockchain | Encrypted |
| Receiver Address | Visible on blockchain | Hidden (shielded) |
| Blockchain Analysis | Routinely traced by firms | Resistant when shielded |
| Selective Disclosure | Not applicable (all public) | Viewing keys |
| Privacy Model | Transparent only | Optional (choose shielded) |
| Confirmation Time | ~10 minutes (1 conf) | ~75 seconds (1 block) |
How to Pay with Zcash at PikaSim
The entire process takes about 5 minutes. Here is exactly what happens:
Pick Your eSIM Package
Browse our 190+ country packages on the website or in the PikaSim app. Select the data plan and duration you need. No account or login required.
Select "Pay with Crypto"
At checkout, click the "Pay with Crypto" button. This opens our BTCPay Server invoice page.
Choose Zcash
On the BTCPay checkout page, select Zcash from the payment options. The invoice shows the exact ZEC amount and a QR code you can scan with your Zcash wallet. Pay from a shielded address to keep the transaction private.
Send ZEC from Your Wallet
Scan the QR code or copy the Zcash address into your wallet. Send the exact amount shown. Zcash blocks are mined about every 75 seconds, so confirmation is quick.
Get Your eSIM Instantly
Once confirmed, your eSIM is provisioned automatically. The QR code and install instructions appear on the invoice page. Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to install the eSIM.
Pay with Zcash in the PikaSim App
The same flow works in our mobile app. The app opens your phone's browser for the BTCPay checkout, then returns you to the app once payment confirms.
Browse and Select
Open the PikaSim app (no login needed), pick a country, choose a package.
Tap "Pay with Crypto"
The app opens the BTCPay invoice in your browser. Select Zcash from the payment options.
Send and Return
Pay from your Zcash wallet. Once confirmed, the eSIM appears in your "My eSIMs" screen in the app. Tap to install.
Buy a Real Phone Number with Zcash
Data eSIMs are not the only thing you can pay for with shielded ZEC. We also sell real carrier phone numbers, and they are one of the most requested products among privacy-minded buyers.
A Real Carrier Line
Our phone plans come with a genuine carrier number that does voice calls, SMS, and data. US plans give you a real +1 number; global plans cover 157 countries.
Bought Privately
Pay with shielded Zcash and there is no account, no email, and no name attached to the purchase. A private number, acquired privately.
Same Checkout
Pick a phone plan, select "Pay with Crypto", and choose Zcash. The number and eSIM are provisioned the moment your payment confirms.
How to Get Zcash
New to Zcash? Here are common ways to acquire ZEC, and how to keep it private:
No-KYC Swaps
Private. If you already hold Bitcoin or Monero, instant-swap services let you convert to ZEC without an account. Send the ZEC to your own shielded address afterward.
Decentralized Exchanges
No identity check. Peer-to-peer markets let you buy ZEC with other coins or cash without verification.
Centralized Exchanges
Easiest for beginners. Many exchanges list ZEC. Buy with fiat, then withdraw to your own wallet and shield the funds immediately.
Shield After You Receive
Important step. Coins arriving at a transparent address are public. Move them to a shielded address (most modern wallets do this automatically) before you pay.
Recommended Zcash Wallets
You will need a Zcash wallet that supports shielded addresses to store and send ZEC privately:
- Mobile: Zashi (official Zcash wallet, shielded by default)
- Mobile: Cake Wallet (iOS/Android, shielded Zcash plus other coins)
- Desktop: Ywallet (shielded, advanced features)
- Desktop: Zingo (open-source, shielded)
- Full Node: zcashd / zebra with the CLI wallet (maximum control)
Zcash Payment FAQ
How long does a Zcash payment take?
Zcash blocks are mined roughly every 75 seconds. Once your transaction is included in a block, your eSIM is provisioned automatically. The whole process usually takes 2 to 5 minutes.
Should I pay from a shielded or transparent address?
Pay from a shielded address to get Zcash's privacy. Transparent (t-address) payments are public like Bitcoin. Modern wallets spend from shielded funds by default.
What if the invoice expires?
Invoices have a payment window. If it expires before you pay, create a new order. If you sent funds to an expired invoice, contact our help center and we will sort it out.
Can I get a refund in Zcash?
Refunds for unactivated eSIMs are processed in Bitcoin (on-chain or Lightning). Because shielded Zcash payments do not expose a return address, we cannot send ZEC back to where you paid from. We provide a BTC refund link instead.
Do you convert my ZEC to something else?
Your payment is received as Zcash and settles into our shielded wallet. There is no third-party payment processor in the flow recording your transaction.
Zcash or Monero for privacy?
Both are excellent. Monero is private by default on every transaction. Zcash offers optional but very strong shielded privacy via zero-knowledge proofs, plus selective disclosure with viewing keys. We accept both, so pick whichever fits your workflow.
Ready to Buy an eSIM with Zcash?
Browse our packages and select "Pay with Crypto" at checkout. Choose Zcash on the payment page and pay from a shielded address. No account, no email, no trace.