Foundry Digital Shakes Up Zcash Mining Ecosystem with Rapid Institutional Entry

A New Heavyweight in Privacy Mining Priority on Compliance and Infrastructure Market Dynamics and Decentralization Debates

A New Heavyweight in Privacy Mining

Foundry, a firm already recognized as a dominant force in the Bitcoin mining sector, announced its intentions to enter the Zcash space in early March. By the time the pool went fully operational in April 2026, it had already onboarded a substantial roster of institutional clients.

Data indicates that the pool effectively captured approximately 29.2% of the hashrate almost immediately, a feat that usually takes years for newer operators to achieve.

This surge in activity has directly challenged the long-standing dominance of ViaBTC, which previously controlled a massive portion of the network. While ViaBTC once held nearly 70% of the hashrate, its share has recently recalibrated to roughly 37%.

This shift suggests a diversifying market where miners are seeking alternatives that prioritize different operational standards.

Priority on Compliance and Infrastructure

The driving force behind Foundry’s success appears to be its focus on the “institutional gap.” Unlike traditional pools that often operate with minimal regulatory oversight, Foundry’s Zcash pool is built on a framework of strict compliance.

The operation mirrors the SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 standards used in its Bitcoin operations, incorporating mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks.

Industry leaders, including Zcash founder Zooko Wilcox, have welcomed the move, noting that the presence of a reputable, U.S.-based operator could entice more institutional players who were previously hesitant to engage with privacy-centric assets due to regulatory uncertainty.

To support this new ecosystem, Foundry also launched Zcashinfo.com, a dedicated block explorer designed to give the community real-time transparency into pool rankings, difficulty trends, and hashrate distribution.

Market Dynamics and Decentralization Debates

The timing of this launch coincides with a volatile yet upward period for the Zcash token (ZEC). Over the last year, ZEC has seen a staggering 1,050% increase in value, recently trading near $370.

This price recovery provides a necessary cushion for miners, as global profitability in the proof-of-work sector has faced pressure from rising network difficulties.

However, the rapid consolidation of hashrate into a few hands has reignited discussions regarding network security. With Foundry and ViaBTC together controlling over 60% of the network, some analysts warn of centralization risks.

While Foundry argues that its entry actually decentralizes the network by breaking ViaBTC’s former near-monopoly, critics watch closely to see if any single entity will cross the 35% to 40% threshold—a point where concerns over network influence typically intensify.

For now, the Zcash ecosystem appears to be entering a more mature, corporate phase. The arrival of purpose-built, auditable infrastructure suggests that privacy coins are no longer just the domain of hobbyists but are increasingly viewed as legitimate assets for the broader financial world.