In a digital era where privacy, scalability, and multi-chain flexibility are increasingly essential, the ZEN token of Horizen stands out for its evolution from a privacy-coin fork to a broader platform designed for confidential applications and side-chain deployment.
Horizen began in 2017 as a fork of Zclassic and Zcash-derived code, initially focused on private transactions and zero-knowledge proofs.
Today, we will cover the following topics:
– About Horizen
– How does Horizen work?
– Key Features
– Technical Analysis
– Why is ZEN The Coin of the Week?
About Horizen (ZEN)
What is Horizen?
Horizen functions as a privacy-enabled, scalable blockchain network.
It provides a main chain and a side-chain framework where developers can launch their own public or private chains using the Zendoo protocol.
Through this architecture, Horizen supports a wide range of use cases, from decentralized finance and gaming to identity, data privacy, and enterprise applications, while offering users optional transaction privacy and developers flexible chain deployment.
Over time, it rebranded and shifted its strategy toward a modular ecosystem that allows developers to deploy custom side-chains, while integrating zero-knowledge and modular consensus technologies.
Dig deeper into ZEN whitepaper.
ZEN Token
The ZEN token serves multiple purposes within the Horizen ecosystem:
Utility
ZEN is used for network fees, side-chain deployment collateral, and node operation.
Governance
Token holders influence network upgrades, protocol parameters, and ecosystem grants.
Security & Incentives
ZEN supports node operators (secure nodes and super nodes) which earn rewards for maintaining network health.
Value Capture
As privacy applications, side-chain deployments and ecosystem growth expand, demand for ZEN increases, aligning token value with real-world usage and infrastructure expansion.
How does Horizen work?
Developers launch custom side-chains through the core Horizen network using the Zendoo protocol, enabling tailored blockchains optimized for specific use cases.
Transactions on Horizen can optionally use privacy-enabled addresses or standard transparent addresses, giving users control over their data exposure.
Node infrastructure (miners, secure nodes, super nodes) and staking models secure the network, process transactions and support side-chain integration.
ZEN is used to pay fees, stake or operate nodes, and participate in governance decisions, linking token utility directly to ecosystem activity.
Ecosystem growth, increased side-chain deployments and broad adoption of privacy-first applications drive demand for ZEN, reinforcing its long-term alignment with network usage.
Key Features and Use Cases
Optional Privacy
Users choose transparent or shielded transactions depending on their preferences and use-cases.
Modular Architecture
Through Zendoo and side-chains, Horizen supports custom blockchains with high scalability and tailored governance.
Scalability & Interoperability
The platform is designed to handle high workloads and support many side-chains, increasing throughput and reducing bottlenecks.
Community Infrastructure
Secure and super nodes enable decentralised participation, with rewards distributed to those operating infrastructure.
Technical Analysis
As per our last market outlook, the crypto market has been retesting new lows this month.
ZEN has also been in a correction phase and is currently retesting the lower bound of its rising wedge pattern marked in blue.
The bulls have already taken control in the short term after breaking above the last minor high marked in red.
For the bulls to remain in control and take over long term, a break above the last major high at $16.5 is needed.
In that scenario, a movement toward the upper bound of the wedge pattern at $26 would be expected.
Why is ZEN The Coin of the Week?
Horizen and its ZEN token represent a mature blend of privacy technology, developer infrastructure and token-driven ecosystem alignment.
Rather than being confined to one niche, ZEN supports modular chains, optional privacy for users, developer tools, and decentralised governance.
From a technical perspective, ZEN is retesting a massive rejection zone, formed by the intersection of a trendline and a demand zone, providing investors with a strong area to buy it at a discount.
This week, we explored ZEN, the native token of Horizen, a modular, privacy-enabled blockchain ecosystem designed to support scalable side-chains and confidential applications. By combining optional privacy, a robust multi-node infrastructure, and the Zendoo side-chain protocol, Horizen enables developers and users to build, deploy, and transact across customizable networks while maintaining strong security and flexibility.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s coin of the week! We appreciate your readership and enthusiasm for exploring the crypto landscape with us.
See you next week for another coin of the week! 🚀
