Local currency and cards
Card and bank ramps
Buy ZEC with a card through a ramp provider, compared on sites such as Swapzone.
- Best for
- People without an exchange account who want to pay by card.
- ZEC arrives
- Usually transparent, then shield it
- Custody
- The provider sends ZEC to your wallet
- Fees
- Card fees are often 3 to 5%
How to do it
- Open a ramp comparison page such as Swapzone's ZEC page.
- Choose your currency and amount and compare offers.
- Enter your wallet's transparent Zcash address.
- Complete the provider's identity check and pay.
- Shield the ZEC once it arrives.
Who sees what
Plain facts about who can see this route and who holds your money along the way, with sources. Every route involves some trade-off.
- Who can see it
- The ramp provider handles your identity check and payment and gets your ZEC address. Your card issuer sees the purchase. ZEC usually arrives at a transparent address, public onchain until you shield it.
- Who holds your funds
- The provider, from your payment until it sends the ZEC to your wallet.
- Identity checks
- Usually required. Some providers allow small amounts with lighter checks; larger amounts need ID.
- Compliance screening
- Not documented for each provider.
Incidents
None recorded.
Sources: swapzone.io · changenow.io
Good to know
- Which providers sell ZEC depends on your country, and it changes. Some well-known ramps, such as Guardarian, don't sell privacy coins at all.
- Card purchases cost more than bank transfers on an exchange.
Last checked 2 October 2026. Sources: