ciphernode

A modern, privacy-first Zcash explorer built to make the invisible

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Inspiration

Zcash has some of the strongest privacy tech in crypto, but most explorers still feel intimidating, opaque, or incomplete—especially when it comes to shielded data. I wanted to build something that respects Zcash’s privacy-first philosophy while making the blockchain understandable for everyday users, developers, and researchers.

CipherScan was inspired by a simple question: What would a blockchain explorer look like if privacy, clarity, and design were the top priorities—not afterthoughts?

What it does

CipherScan is a fully custom Zcash blockchain explorer designed to make the network transparent without compromising privacy.

It allows users to:

  • Search any address, transaction, or block
  • View balances and transaction history
  • Explore shielded activity through a dedicated Privacy Dashboard
  • Inspect the mempool with live pending transactions
  • Receive real-time block updates via WebSockets
  • Learn Zcash concepts through educational tooltips

A standout feature is client-side Orchard memo decryption, allowing users to decrypt their shielded memos entirely in the browser—with zero server trust.

How we built it

CipherScan was designed, built, and owned entirely by me, end-to-end.

Tech Stack

  • Frontend: Next.js 15, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
  • Backend: Express.js, WebSockets
  • Database: PostgreSQL
  • Blockchain: Zebra Zcash node
  • Privacy Layer: Rust + WASM for Orchard memo decryption

The system connects directly to a Zebra node for accurate, real-time blockchain data. Live updates (blocks & mempool) are streamed via WebSockets, while heavier privacy logic—like memo decryption—is safely handled client-side using Rust compiled to WebAssembly.

Challenges we ran into

  • Orchard memo decryption: Implementing Orchard support securely in the browser required deep Rust + WASM integration and careful memory handling.
  • Privacy guarantees: Ensuring keys never leave the browser meant zero server-side shortcuts—everything had to be verifiable and auditable.
  • Real-time performance: Streaming live blocks and mempool data without overwhelming the UI or backend required careful event handling and batching.
  • UX for complex concepts: Translating Zcash’s advanced privacy model into a UI that feels simple and approachable was a constant design challenge.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • 🔐 100% private memo decryption — keys never leave the browser
  • 🛡️ Full Orchard shielded support
  • 📡 Live block & mempool updates
  • 📊 Privacy dashboard with real-time metrics
  • 📚 Educational UI that lowers the barrier to understanding Zcash
  • 🌐 Open source & verifiable privacy guarantees

What we learned

  • Privacy-first systems require intentional trade-offs—simplicity must never weaken security.
  • WASM is incredibly powerful for bringing low-level cryptography safely to the browser.
  • Good design is just as important as good cryptography when it comes to adoption.
  • Building trust means letting users verify, not just believe.

What's next for CipherScan

  • 🔍 Advanced analytics for shielded pool activity
  • 📱 Mobile-first UI improvements
  • 🌍 Mainnet deployment
  • 🧩 Plugin support for developers and researchers
  • 🤝 Deeper community collaboration with the Zcash ecosystem

Privacy Guarantees

  1. 100% Private – Viewing keys never leave your device
  2. Zero-Knowledge – No server-side key processing
  3. Orchard Support – Decrypt shielded memos safely
  4. Open Source – Verifiable privacy by design

🔗 Try it: https://testnet.cipherscan.app/decrypt

No Tracking

  • ❌ No Google Analytics
  • ❌ No IP logging
  • ❌ No cookies
  • ✅ Fully open source

🤝 Contributing

Built for the Zcash community. Contributions are welcome.

📄 License

MIT

Built With

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