Cake Wallet for Zcash: review
Cake Wallet, long known for Monero, added Zcash on 20 January 2026. ZEC is shielded by default, incoming transparent funds are shielded straight into Ironwood, and Orchard balances were migrated automatically from version 6.4.0. It is open source under MIT and suits people who want Monero, Bitcoin and private ZEC in one app; hardware wallet support for ZEC was still only on the roadmap.
Cake Wallet built its name as a Monero wallet. When it added Zcash on 20 January 2026 (Cake Wallet blog; The Block, Jan 2026), it chose to make ZEC private by default, which is rare among multi-coin wallets.
Cake Wallet at a glance
| Fact | Cake Wallet (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Mobile and desktop multi-coin wallet |
| Platforms | iOS, Android; desktop builds (ZecHub lists Cake as mobile and desktop; check ZEC availability on your system) |
| Open source | Yes, MIT licence (public GitHub repository) |
| Custody | Self-custody |
| Shielded pools | Ironwood by default; Sapling and transparent funds auto-shielded into Ironwood |
| Ironwood readiness | Ready: support in v6.4.0, migration labels in v6.4.1 |
| Sync | Light client |
| Hardware support | Not for ZEC (on the roadmap as of January 2026) |
| Status | Active |
How Cake handles shielding
- Shielded by default. Your receive screen shows a shielded address, now labelled "Default (Ironwood)".
- Auto-shielding. Transparent funds that arrive, for example from an exchange, are shielded automatically, and since Ironwood they go straight into Ironwood.
- Rotating transparent addresses, so repeated exchange withdrawals do not all land on one public address.
- Transparent sends come from shielded funds, which avoids linking your old transparent history.
Automatic Orchard-to-Ironwood migration
Cake made the migration hands-off. After Ironwood activated on 28 July 2026, opening a synced wallet with an Orchard balance started the process: the balance is split into round-number amounts and moved in separate transactions, roughly one per block (about 75 seconds apart before NU7). Each migrated amount pays a network fee of about 0.0002 ZEC, which is noticeable on small balances. Funds still in Orchard show as "confirming" rather than available until migrated.
Two caveats: migration pauses when the app is closed, and Cake itself notes that migration amounts are briefly visible on-chain and that its approach is slower than some other wallets'. Standard amounts and a common path for all users help blend transfers together. See Orchard to Ironwood.
Other features
- NEAR Intents swaps.
- Fiat on-ramps and CakePay gift cards (availability varies by country).
- Monero, Bitcoin, Litecoin and other coins in the same app.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Shielded by default with automatic shielding | No hardware wallet support for ZEC yet |
| Open source (MIT) | Migration progresses only while the app is open |
| Hands-off Ironwood migration | About 0.0002 ZEC fee per migrated amount |
| Monero and Zcash in one wallet | Newer to Zcash than Zodl, Zingo! or Edge |
| Swaps, on-ramps and CakePay | Desktop ZEC availability not clearly documented |
Who Cake Wallet suits
Cake is ideal if you already use it for Monero, or want both privacy coins in one place with sensible defaults. People who often withdraw from exchanges will like the automatic shielding and address rotation. If you want hardware wallet support, use Zodl with Keystone or Ledger. For a Monero comparison, see Zcash vs Monero.
Getting started with ZEC in Cake
- Install Cake Wallet from the official store listing and update to version 6.4.1 or later.
- Create a Zcash wallet and write down its seed phrase.
- Copy your shielded address (shown as "Default (Ironwood)") and receive a test amount.
- If you withdraw from an exchange to a transparent address, let Cake auto-shield it before spending.
- If you had an Orchard balance, keep the app open until migration finishes.
Cake Wallet or Zodl?
Both keep ZEC shielded by default and both were Ironwood-ready. Zodl is Zcash-only, offers a choice between gradual and immediate migration, Tor, and Keystone hardware support. Cake covers Monero and other coins, shields transparent deposits automatically and rotates transparent addresses, but has no hardware support for ZEC. If Zcash is your main coin, Zodl has the edge; if you live in Monero and want Zcash too, Cake is more convenient. Compare more in best Zcash wallets.
Verdict
Cake Wallet made a strong Zcash debut in 2026: private by default, automatic shielding, open source and a smooth, if slow, Ironwood migration. It is the best choice for Monero users adding Zcash. The missing piece is hardware wallet support.
Safety notes
- The official site is cakewallet.com. Type it yourself and use its store links.
- Back up your seed phrase on paper before funding the wallet.
- Keep the app open, and the phone charged, until any migration finishes.
- Gift card and on-ramp services may require identity checks and follow local rules; Cake's privacy defaults do not change your tax obligations (Zcash taxes).
Frequently asked questions
Does Cake Wallet support Zcash?
Yes, since 20 January 2026. ZEC is shielded by default and Cake Wallet is listed as Ironwood-ready.
Does Cake Wallet move my Orchard ZEC to Ironwood automatically?
Yes. From version 6.4.0 it migrates Orchard balances automatically in round-number amounts, about one transaction per block, while the app is open. Each migrated amount pays about 0.0002 ZEC in fees.
Is Cake Wallet open source?
Yes. Its code is public on GitHub under the MIT licence.
Can I use a Ledger or Keystone with Cake Wallet for ZEC?
Not as of October 2026. Cake listed hardware wallet support for Zcash as a roadmap item in January 2026.