Zcash Developer Zakura Proposes Per-Swap Viewing Keys to Protect NEAR Intents Swaps From Future Quantum Attacks
Zakura proposes one-time viewing keys for each ZEC swap via NEAR Intents to limit quantum privacy risks.
Why it matters
The proposal addresses a specific privacy leak in cross-chain swaps where shielded addresses become permanently public, advancing practical quantum-readiness for Zcash infrastructure before the Tachyon upgrade arrives.
Where the sources disagree
Timeline for Zcash's Tachyon quantum-resistant upgrade
January target for quantum-resistant payments
CoinDesk
Tachyon upgrade mentioned without specific date
Unchained, Decrypt
Reports do not specify a timeline
Bitcoin Insider
CoinDesk reports a January target for Tachyon, while other sources mention Tachyon without a specific date or say reports do not specify a timeline.
Amount of value routed into ZEC
$19M+ routed into ZEC
Bitcoin.com News
Not mentioned
CoinDesk, Crypto.News, Bitcoin Insider, Bitcoin Insider, Unchained, Decrypt, Bitcoinist
Only Bitcoin.com News reports a figure of $19M+ routed into ZEC; other sources do not mention this amount.
Key facts
Zakura proposed assigning a separate incoming viewing key to each ZEC swap through NEAR Intents.
Reported by CoinDesk
The proposal aims to prevent a future quantum computer from linking a user's wider payment history through a single exposed refund address.
Reported by CoinDesk
Currently, multiple Zcash shielded addresses share one incoming viewing key behind the account.
Reported by CoinDesk
A sufficiently powerful quantum computer running Shor's algorithm could theoretically recover the viewing key from a publicly exposed address.
Reported by Unchained
The fix would limit any recovered viewing key to a single swap while keeping the wallet's spending key unchanged.
Reported by CoinDesk
Software wallets using Zakura's open-source libraries, including Vizor, could integrate the feature in the coming weeks.
Reported by CoinDesk
Hardware wallet support for the feature would follow later.
Reported by Crypto.News
The proposal requires no network upgrade and is currently under review.
Reported by Unchained
What happened
Zcash infrastructure developer Zakura has proposed assigning a separate incoming viewing key to every ZEC swap conducted through NEAR Intents, a cross-chain swap service that posts shielded Zcash addresses on NEAR's public blockchain. Currently, multiple diversified Zcash addresses share a single incoming viewing key; a future quantum computer running Shor's algorithm could theoretically recover that key from one exposed address and link all payments received by the account. Zakura's design would limit any recovered key to a single swap while keeping the user's spending key unchanged. The proposal uses private information retrieval so wallets can locate refunds without revealing which addresses they are checking. Software wallets built on Zakura's open-source libraries, such as Vizor, could integrate the feature within weeks, with hardware wallet support to follow. The proposal is under review and requires no network upgrade. Zcash's planned Tachyon upgrade, targeting January for quantum-resistant payments, remains a separate development.
How the story developed
- Update
Zakura announces post-quantum unlinkable swaps proposal
Zakura tweets about the proposal for per-swap viewing keys
- First report
First report by CoinDesk
Zcash developers plan a fix to keep ZEC swaps private from future quantum computers
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Crypto.News
Zcash developer proposes quantum privacy fix for NEAR Intents swaps
- Update
Independent coverage from crypto media outlets
Crypto.News, Unchained, and Decrypt publish independent reports on the proposal
- Official statement
Official statement from Bitcoin.com News
Zcash Proposes New Privacy Layer to Guard Swaps From Quantum Risks
- Update
Bitcoin.com News publishes independent report with $19M figure
Company-affiliated outlet reports on proposal and cites $19M+ routed into ZEC
- Update
Bitcoinist publishes independent analysis
Latest independent coverage emphasizing preventative engineering approach
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 19 Oct 2026, 05:23 UTC: CoinDesk — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 06:30 UTC: Crypto.News — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 06:33 UTC: Bitcoin Insider — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 09:15 UTC: Unchained — 4 independent sources, 5 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 10:11 UTC: Decrypt — 5 independent sources, 6 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 11:58 UTC: TheNewsCrypto — 6 independent sources, 8 reports
- 19 Oct 2026, 23:45 UTC: Bitcoin.com News, official — 7 independent sources, 9 reports
- 20 Oct 2026, 17:25 UTC: Bitcoinist — 8 independent sources, 11 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Vitalik Buterin
Original sources
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