What is zERC20?
zERC20 is a new ERC20 token that allows you to send tokens with privacy preserved, using the same operations as sending regular ERC20 tokens. No special apps or dedicated wallets are required; you can use it directly from your usual wallets like Metamask.
Unlike traditional privacy protocols, zERC20 offers an incredibly refined UX. It can be used directly on many L2s like Arbitrum and OP, and transfers are Cross-rollup and Chain-agnostic by default. Currently, it operates rapidly between L2s, and in the future, it will be connectable not only to the ETH mainnet but also to non-EVM L1s.
These features are realized by EIP-7503 (zkWormhole).zERC20 creates a future where anyone can naturally use privacy, with the same ease of use as regular ERC20.
What can it do?
Send privately!
Chains confirmed to be supported at the testnet release on November 15, 2025
USDC on Arbitrum
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zERC20 Private Transaction
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USDC on Arbitrum
Cross-rollup and chain-agnostic by default!
In the future, instant cross-chain transfers will be possible not only with ETH mainnet but also with non-EVM L1s!
USDC on Arbitrum
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zERC20 Private Transaction
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USDC on Base
Use any EVM-supporting wallet
Private transfers can be done with your usual wallet, just like regular transfers, without needing to connect to the dapps
Why is this important?
Imagine your bank account balance, salary deposits, and monthly payments all transparent and visible to anyone. This is the current challenge of blockchain. Every transaction is permanently public, making your financial situation completely exposed.
The strength of blockchain is not transparency, but verifiability. Excessive transparency that creates risk is not necessary.
How it works using EIP-7503 (zkWormhole)
Furthermore, this mechanism even conceals the fact that a "privacy product is being used." Since ZKP can prove that a burn address is an ownerless, unmanned address, countless burn addresses can be generated, and transfers to them are indistinguishable from regular ERC20 transfers. This allows for high privacy while using a regular wallet as a regular ERC20.
Technology Used Behind the Scenes
Behind zERC20, three mechanisms are at work. Each plays a crucial role in enabling private transfers.
Who built it?
zERC20 was conceived by Nuno, INTMAX Core Dev, and developed by his Intmax team.
While the INTMAX protocol provides vertical scaling to handle large volumes of transactions with its unique layer design, zERC20 aims for horizontal scaling by operating on existing L1/L2s as an ERC20 that can be immediately used on many L2s such as Arbitrum and Base, prioritizing wallet compatibility and UX.
INTMAX Protocol (Vertical Scaling)
Unique layer design
High volume transaction processing
Maximizes performance
zERC20 (Horizontal Scaling)
Operates on existing L1/L2s
Ready for use on Arbitrum, Base, etc.
Prioritizes wallet compatibility and UX
Why start zERC20 when INTMAX exists?
The reason is clear: we felt it was important to provide privacy that is immediately available on existing infrastructure, which users are currently seeking. With the increasing demand for privacy, we prioritize offering an immediate and seamless experience on commonly used L1s and L2s, allowing users to fully anonymize recipient wallet addresses on Ethereum Mainnet, Arbitrum, and Base with the same UX as regular transactions.
Building new infrastructure like the INTMAX protocol is a later stage in our roadmap; this is based on a strategic decision to prioritize providing "ready-to-use" privacy with "excellent UX" first.