Exchanges
Gemini
A regulated exchange that lets you withdraw ZEC straight to a shielded address.
- Best for
- People where Gemini operates, mainly the US, who want to buy with a bank account or card and still end up private.
- ZEC arrives
- Shielded withdrawals supported
- Custody
- Exchange holds funds until you withdraw
- Fees
- Exchange trading and withdrawal fees
How to do it
- Create a Gemini account and complete identity verification.
- Deposit money by bank transfer or card.
- Buy ZEC.
- Copy a shielded receiving address from your wallet (a unified address starting with u1).
- Withdraw your ZEC to that address.
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
- Gemini knows your identity, IP address and device, and every purchase and withdrawal. A shielded withdrawal hides where the ZEC goes onchain, but Gemini knows the address you gave it.
- Who holds your funds
- Gemini, until you withdraw.
- Identity checks
- Required before you can buy: ID documents and a face check.
- Compliance screening
- Orders pass automated compliance checks and may be reviewed by hand. Gemini applies sanctions rules and can suspend accounts and freeze funds during a review.
Incidents
- Gemini announced it would leave the UK, the EU and Australia. Accounts there went withdrawal-only in March and closed in April 2026. blockhead.co
Sources: gemini.com · gemini.com
Good to know
- Gemini closed its accounts in the UK, the EU and Australia in April 2026 to focus on the US. Check that it serves your country before signing up.
- Gemini has offered shielded ZEC withdrawals for years. Since 30 July 2026 it withdraws to Ironwood, Zcash's new shielded pool, so use an up-to-date wallet such as Zodl.
- The exchange knows who bought the ZEC and when. What happens after it reaches your shielded wallet stays private.
Last checked 2 October 2026. Sources: