what's cashu?
Cashu is a free and open-source Chaumian ecash protocol designed for Bitcoin, enabling private and instant digital payments. It allows users to deposit Bitcoin into mints to receive ecash tokens, which function as digital bearer instruments stored on user devices for peer-to-peer transfers. Key features include offline payment capabilities, atomic multi-mint payments via Lightning Network integration, and enhanced privacy through blind signatures. The protocol supports applications like wallets and voucher systems, promoting censorship resistance and low-cost transactions. Recent developments include proof of liabilities using Merkle Sum Sparse Merkle Trees and zkSTARKs for programmable private payments.
StarkWare partners with OpenCash on freedom tech; Zashu forks Cashu CDK for private ecash.
Links
x.com/cashubtcDeveloper representative presents at OPNEXT2026 conference in the Dev Stage technical presentation series.
StarkWare partners with OpenCash on freedom tech initiative that includes Cashu, Bitcoin, STARKs, Bitchat, and Nostr technologies.
Zashu project launches as a fork of Cashu CDK integrated with Zcash payment backend, combining Chaumian ecash privacy with zero-knowledge proofs through working testnet implementation with deposit tracking, ecash issuance, and withdrawal capabilities.
Cashu introduces NFC-based payment system supporting Point of Sale transactions with auto-payment for small amounts via NFC communication, combining Cashu and Lightning Network protocols.
Vocal criticism questions project ethics, characterizes it as deceptive regarding custodial nature, and explicitly warns of rug pull risk.
New grant round distributes 1 billion sats across multiple Bitcoin initiatives including cashu ecosystem growth.
Cashu ecash integrates with Signal messenger, enabling private Bitcoin payments within the encrypted messaging app.
Cashu Dev Kit receives protocol extensions and infrastructure improvements including BOLT12 support, UniFFI mobile bindings, and LDK Node support through developer renewal funding.
New multinut payment feature launches, enabling risk distribution and increased competition between mints.
StarkWare contributes Proof of Liabilities implementation using MSSMTs for enhanced protocol transparency.
New Proof of Liabilities system implemented using MSSMTs to enhance protocol security and transparency.