Foundry Digital launches Zcash mining pool capturing significant market share

The establishment of a new mining pool diversifies the Zcash ecosystem, reducing centralization risks and potentially stabilizing the market.

• Foundry Digital launched the Foundry Zcash Pool in early March 2026, capturing approximately 29% of the Zcash network hashrate within its first month.
• The pool aims to provide compliant mining infrastructure for institutional miners, addressing previous centralization concerns dominated by ViaBTC.
• Zcash's market capitalization surged to $6.2 billion, reflecting a 1,050% price increase over the past year, indicating heightened interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

• Zcash employs zero-knowledge proofs for shielded transactions on a proof-of-work blockchain, making it unique among cryptocurrencies.
• Prior to Foundry's entry, ViaBTC controlled 65-68% of the Zcash network hashrate, raising alarms about centralization risks as highlighted by Coinbase in 2023.
• Foundry Digital, established in 2019, is known for its compliant Bitcoin mining operations and aims to attract institutional participants lacking suitable infrastructure.

Foundry Digital's launch of the Zcash mining pool marks a significant shift in the cryptocurrency mining landscape. By securing 29.2% of the network hashrate within its first month, Foundry has effectively challenged the dominance of ViaBTC, which previously held a staggering 68.1% share. This shift is crucial for Zcash, as it enhances the network's resilience against centralization risks that could undermine its integrity and security.

The mining pool began accumulating hashrate around March 4, 2026, just before the official announcement on March 11. This strategic timing allowed Foundry to onboard multiple institutional miners prior to the public launch, ensuring a robust start. The pool officially activated in early April, and by April 12, it had mined 2,344 blocks, showcasing its operational efficiency and appeal to institutional players.

The introduction of Zcashinfo.com, a block explorer for real-time network analytics, further complements the mining pool's launch. This tool not only provides transparency but also enhances user engagement by allowing miners and investors to track network performance and block production in real-time. The combination of a new mining pool and a dedicated analytics platform positions Foundry as a key player in the Zcash ecosystem.

Moreover, the decline of ViaBTC's hashrate share to 37% indicates a shift in power dynamics within the Zcash mining community. This diversification is essential for the long-term health of the network, as it reduces the risk of a single entity controlling the majority of the hashrate, which could lead to potential manipulation or security vulnerabilities.

Zcash's recent price surge, with a 77% increase to approximately $354, reflects growing investor confidence in the asset, driven by the enhanced mining landscape and institutional interest. As institutional miners seek compliant and efficient mining solutions, Foundry's initiative could pave the way for further adoption of Zcash and similar privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

• Institutional miners: They gain access to compliant infrastructure, enabling them to participate in Zcash mining without regulatory concerns.
• Retail investors: Increased decentralization may lead to a more stable market, potentially enhancing investment confidence in Zcash.
• Cryptocurrency exchanges: They may see increased trading volume and interest in Zcash as its market dynamics evolve.

• Hashrate distribution: Monitor how the hashrate share evolves among mining pools, as further decentralization could impact network security and stability.
• Institutional participation: Watch for announcements from institutional miners regarding their involvement in the Foundry Zcash Pool, which could signal broader market trends.
• Regulatory developments: Keep an eye on how regulations around privacy coins evolve, especially in regions like Dubai, which have imposed restrictions.