Zama
Encrypt, compute, and protect data without decryption.. [Contact for Pricing]
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What is Zama?
Zama is an open source cryptography company that builds state-of-the-art Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) solutions for blockchain and AI. The Zama Confidential Blockchain Protocol enables confidential smart contracts on top of any L1 or L2 using FHE, keeping onchain data encrypted at all times even during processing.
The protocol uses coprocessors to offload FHE computation from the base chain, keeping gas fees low while enabling horizontal scalability and public verifiability. Developers can write confidential smart contracts using simple Solidity with encrypted data types like euint, requiring no new toolchains beyond traditional Solidity development.
Zama is designed for blockchain developers, DeFi protocols, enterprises needing compliant confidentiality, and anyone building applications requiring privacy on public blockchains. Key use cases include confidential token swaps, lending, yield farming, stablecoin transactions with encrypted amounts, onchain self-custodial banking, confidential token launches with vesting and airdrops, RWA tokenization, and sealed-bid auctions that prevent front-running.
The protocol is already faster than Ethereum, processing 20 tps per chain with plans to reach 1,000 tps next year. FHE ASICs partnerships will enable 10,000+ tps. The Zama Protocol is now live on mainnet.
Zama pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Zama does not charge for FHE computation itself - that is free. The protocol only charges for three things: (1) ZK proof verification when submitting encrypted inputs ($0.005-$0.50), (2) decrypting ciphertexts when revealing data ($0.001-$0.10), and (3) bridging encrypted values between chains ($0.01-$1). A confidential token transfer costs $0.008-$0.80 depending on usage level. Fees are priced in USD but paid in $ZAMA token following a burn-and-mint model. Volume-based discounts up to 99% apply based on encrypted bits processed in the last 30 days. Low-volume users stay under $1 per transaction while high-volume apps can get fees down to fractions of a cent. There is no traditional free tier or paid plans - it's usage-based protocol fees.
Zama pros
- Open source cryptography with transparent security
- Works on any L1 or L2 blockchain
- Keeps data encrypted even during processing
- Uses standard Solidity - no new toolchain needed
- Simple developer experience with euint data types
- Programmable compliance built into smart contracts
- Already processes 20 tps per chain
- Public verifiability maintained with confidentiality
- Low gas fees through coprocessor offloading
- Horizontal scalability for growing applications
- Live on mainnet - production ready
- Quantum-resistant lattice-based cryptography
- FHE is composable across protocols
- Volume-based discounts up to 99% for heavy users
- USD-priced fees for predictable costs
- Burn-and-mint token economy for operators
- Supports DeFi, payments, banking, tokens, RWA use cases
Zama cons
- FHE still has higher computational overhead than plaintext
- Relatively new technology with limited real-world adoption
- Requires understanding encrypted data types for developers
- FHE ASICs needed for 10,000+ tps not yet available
- Only 20 tps currently vs thousands for some L2s
- Fee model depends on $ZAMA token adoption
- Limited documentation compared to established protocols
- Confidentiality may complicate regulatory compliance in some cases
Frequently asked questions about Zama
What is Zama?
Zama is an open source cryptography company that builds state-of-the-art Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) solutions for blockchain and AI. The Zama Confidential Blockchain Protocol enables confidential smart contracts on top of any L1 or L2 using FHE, keeping onchain data encrypted at all times even during processing.
What is Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE)?
FHE is an advanced cryptographic technique that enables computational operations to be performed on encrypted data without decryption. It allows operations directly on ciphertexts, producing encrypted results that when decrypted correspond to the output of operations performed on plaintext. This ensures data privacy throughout the entire computation process, as data remains encrypted even during computation. FHE is often called the holy grail of cryptography.
How do I build with Zama?
Developers use plain Solidity with Zama's FHEVM Solidity library. You mark which parts of your contract should be private using encrypted data types like euint64. The workflow uses traditional Solidity toolchains - no new compilers or frameworks needed. Start with the Quick Start guide to build your first contract step by step, then explore Solidity Guides for writing contracts that compute on encrypted data.
Is Zama live on mainnet?
Yes, the Zama Protocol is now live on mainnet. It enables confidential smart contracts on any L1 or L2 blockchain using FHE, with production-ready tools and libraries for building confidential dApps.
What blockchains does Zama support?
Zama works on any L1 or L2 blockchain. The protocol is designed to enable confidential smart contracts on top of any chain, as it uses host contracts deployed on EVM-compatible blockchains to manage access control and trigger off-chain encrypted computation.
How much does Zama cost?
Zama doesn't charge for FHE computation - that's free. You only pay for ZK proof verification ($0.005-$0.50), decryption ($0.001-$0.10), and cross-chain bridging ($0.01-$1). A typical confidential token transfer costs $0.008-$0.80. Fees are priced in USD but paid in $ZAMA token. Volume-based discounts up to 99% apply for heavy users based on encrypted bits processed in 30 days.
What is the $ZAMA token used for?
$ZAMA is the native token of the Zama Confidential Blockchain Protocol. It is used for paying protocol fees (ZK proof verification, decryption, bridging) and for staking to become an operator. The token follows a burn-and-mint model where 100% of fees are burned and tokens are minted to reward operators. Token holders can delegate their stake to coprocessors and KMS nodes to help secure the network.
What use cases does Zama enable?
Zama enables confidential DeFi (token swaps, lending, yield farming), confidential stablecoin payments with encrypted amounts, onchain self-custodial banking with full confidentiality, confidential token launches with vesting and airdrops, confidential and compliant RWA tokenization for institutional adoption, and sealed-bid auctions that prevent front-running. It brings compliant confidentiality to onchain finance.
Is Zama quantum-resistant?
Yes, FHE schemes built on lattice-based hardness assumptions are inherently post-quantum resilient, retaining their security even against adversaries equipped with quantum computers. This future-proof cryptographic foundation ensures long-term protection of sensitive data.
What open source libraries does Zama provide?
Zama provides several open-source libraries for FHE computations: TFHE-rs (Rust implementation of TFHE), Concrete (TFHE Compiler in Python), and Concrete ML (machine learning models in FHE). These libraries support developers building private-by-design applications using homomorphic encryption.