Foundry Digital launches institutional Zcash mining pool

Foundry Digital, the operator of the world’s biggest Bitcoin mining pool, has rolled out a Zcash mining pool that targets institutional miners and offers U.S.–based compliance controls [1]. The pool, announced in March and slated for full operation in April, already shows early mining activity, having mined over 2,300 blocks since its debut [1].

Key takeaways

• Foundry’s Zcash pool began accumulating hash‑rate around March 4, a week before its public announcement [1].
• The pool uses a Pay‑Per‑Last‑N‑Shares (PPLNS) payout model and distributes rewards to transparent ZEC addresses rather than shielded ones [2].
• Compliance measures include KYC/AML checks, identity verification, and SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 audit frameworks [2][3].
• Zcash network hash‑rate has more than doubled since mid‑2025, while the token’s price surged from $65 to near $700 before falling to the low $200s [2].
• Foundry’s entry reduces ViaBTC’s dominance from 68 % to about 37 % of Zcash hash‑rate [1].

Expanding into Zcash with a compliant infrastructure

Foundry announced that its new Zcash pool will operate from the United States and is designed to meet the reporting and operational standards required by public companies and large institutions [2]. CEO Mike Colyer emphasized that Zcash has “matured into an institutional‑grade asset, but the mining infrastructure supporting it hasn’t kept pace,” prompting the launch of a purpose‑built pool with rigorous KYC and AML controls [2][3]. The pool will employ the same operational framework as Foundry’s Bitcoin pool, which has undergone SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance audits [2][3].

Early data from Zcashinfo.com shows that the pool mined 2,344 blocks since its launch earlier this month, with each block delivering a 1.25 ZEC subsidy—approximately $458 at current market prices [1]. The pool’s hash‑rate contribution has already cut ViaBTC’s share of the network from 68.1 % on Feb. 27 to roughly 37 % at the time of writing [1]. Zooko Wilcox, Zcash founder and chief product officer at Shielded Labs, noted that the new pool could “spread out the Zcash mining hashpower” and attract miners who trust Foundry’s operational standards [2].

Why it matters

The launch signals a growing institutional interest in privacy‑focused cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin. By providing a compliant, transparent mining service, Foundry may draw institutional hash‑rate into Zcash, potentially enhancing the network’s security and decentralization [4]. The move also aligns with broader market trends: Zcash’s price performance—up over 1,000 % in the past year—and recent funding for Zcash development suggest heightened attention to privacy assets [1][4]. As Bitcoin mining margins tighten after the 2024 halving, diversified mining opportunities like this Zcash pool could become a key avenue for miners seeking stable returns while complying with regulatory expectations.