Z-Addresses (Shielded)
Two address types
Morana supports two address types, each with different privacy properties:
| Type | Prefix | Privacy | On-chain visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent (T) | tmor1q… (testnet) |
None | Amounts and addresses public |
| Shielded (Z) | mtestz1… (testnet) |
Strong | Amounts and addresses hidden |
What makes Z-addresses private?
Z-addresses are Sapling shielded addresses. When you receive funds at a Z-address, the sender creates a note commitment using a ZK-SNARK — a cryptographic proof that the output exists and is valid, without revealing the amount or address. Only the holder of the incoming viewing key or spending key for that address can see the details.
Generating a Z-address
The wallet derives a shielded receiving address from your shielded spending key and shows it in the Receive tab alongside your transparent address.
Z-addresses and the explorer
Z-addresses cannot be searched in the block explorer. This is by design: looking up a Z-address would confirm its existence and allow correlation. The explorer shows only that shielded activity occurred, never which addresses were involved.
Address prefixes
Shielded addresses on the Morana testnet begin with mtestz1. The moranaz prefix is reserved for mainnet — if you see it on testnet, something is wrong. Do not send real funds to testnet addresses.
Best practices
- Always use a Z-address to receive private payments. T-addresses are public.
- Avoid T → Z → T in a single step if the amounts match — chain analysis can infer the link.
- Keep your spending key offline. Anyone with your spending key can spend your shielded funds.
- Do not plan around spending shielded funds from the desktop app yet.