Over the past week, I've been using ZEC, the currency of the Zcash protocol, and Ether, the currency of the Ethereum network, and the results have surprised me. While Ether is the currency of the world's second-largest decentralized network, it's also the reason why many people lose money in transactions due to high fees.
The fees on the Ethereum network are no joke; they're very high. Despite offering a diverse ecosystem of smart contracts and innovative projects that combine the traditional and decentralized world, the network isn't for beginners in the crypto space. Cryptocurrency beginners expect to find a network where they can pay less to have their transactions executed.
Although Ethereum is an exceptional blockchain without complaints so far, it's not open to those who expect to save on fees. Additionally, phishing attacks are becoming increasingly common in the Ethereum ecosystem. Despite being a secure network, malicious attacks are on the rise, and it's essential not to click on unknown links as the consequences can be devastating.
I speak from experience with this type of attack. A few days ago, out of curiosity, I lost eight ENS NFTs due to my carelessness. The attack was well-orchestrated, with the attackers creating a paid Twitter ad announcing a Polkadot airdrop and using the link (don't use it, it's a scam): https://claim.polkapot.com.
After clicking on the link, I signed in to my wallet, and without realizing it, the NFTs were stolen in the background. It took me a whole day to realize what had happened, and I only took note when I saw a WETH transfer notification, which caught my attention and led me to realize that the NFTs had been transferred to a new address without my permission.
Although the fault was mine, it was still an unsuccessful experience on the Ethereum network, where many people lose value to hackers or malicious attacks, creating discomfort for both beginners and veterans. After all, no one is immune to attacks, so attention and care are necessary.
On the other hand, my usability experience with ZEC was good. I prioritize transaction fees a lot when choosing cryptocurrencies that I intend to use regularly. Using ZEC is not as easy as it may seem at first, as it requires a good understanding that, despite being a cryptocurrency like Ethereum and others, it focuses on user privacy, anonymity, and security.
To be frank, I've been using ZEC for a year and a half, but for personal reasons, I stopped using it (which I don't intend to do again). This situation may have cost me some gigabytes of my data account. ZEC works differently from Ether; while Ether can be recovered in any wallet, and the assets are immediately visible, the Zcash network requires private synchronization of each address, which can cost a lot of gigabyte (GB) if we're not careful.
Gigabyte (GB) of data can be spent when synchronizing the blockchain, so there's a need to use a lighter wallet such as ywallet, which is more user-friendly and synchronizes quite quickly.
Transactions are also great on Zcash, charging dynamic fees for the user, adding to the privacy and anonymity factor. It's a very effective means of payment, and the user chooses whether to use the shielded or transparent address when making transactions, making the experience of using the blockchain even more enriched.
It should be noted that I also had a case with the network, but it was promptly handled and resolved by the Zcash community support. I had a case where the wallet refused to send transactions, claiming an error called 16-bad-orchard-bundle-authorization. I took the case to the community, and within a few days, a new After encountering an error package on ywallet, I took the case to the community.
Within a few days, a new version of ywallet was circulating in the market with the issue resolved, which made the experience even more fantastic.
When it comes to choosing between different blockchains, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider. Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide which one best suits their needs. For me, the top priorities are dynamic fees, security, and speed, all of which are essential for mass adoption and daily use.
While Ethereum has great benefits like fast transactions and instant confirmations, as well as a thriving DeFi ecosystem, it is also a magnet for exploiters and hackers who target inexperienced users and smart contracts, draining them of their value. Nevertheless, it remains an exceptional protocol.
In contrast, the Zcash network places more emphasis on privacy, with anonymity as a default right. However, using this network also comes with challenges, and it is important for users to determine which blockchain aligns with their core values. Personally, I appreciate Zcash's ability to enable peer-to-peer electronic payments without requiring me to disclose my information.
Overall, my experience with both networks was positive, and I believe that each has something unique to offer. The decision of which one to use ultimately depends on the user's individual needs and preferences.
