# A shielded memo API for buying and selling ZEC? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [May 15, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509 "2020-05-15T16:03:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![holmesworcester](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/holmesworcester/32/15710_2.png) [@holmesworcester](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/holmesworcester)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/1 "2020-05-15T16:03:08Z")
Has anyone thought about the possibility of a shapeshift-like exchange API that worked over shielded memos? How it would work: 1. There is a known shielded Zcash address for “ZEC to BTC” where I can send ZEC with a memo containing a BTC address. The exchange then sends me BTC at market rate. 2. There is a known address for “BTC to ZEC” where I can send a memo containing zcash address. The exchange replies with a BTC address and when I send BTC to that address I receive ZEC at the address I provided at market rates. 3. You could provide a Changelly-style “locked rate” in either case by adding a step where the exchange promises an exact rate for a certain amount of time. One could use [https://renproject.io/](https://renproject.io/) to build such an API release it as an open source tool that anyone deploy to AWS. You’d still need to depend on another exchange, or at least on an API provider. But users wouldn’t have to leave the Zcash ecosystem to complete a trade. ---
**Author:** ![\_eric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/_eric/32/21598_2.png) [@\_eric](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/_eric)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/2 "2020-05-15T16:55:08Z")
Yes, exchanging directly from a shielded address would be useful, but do you know of any exchanges that deal with shielded Zcash? ---
**Author:** ![holmesworcester](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/holmesworcester/32/15710_2.png) [@holmesworcester](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/holmesworcester)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/3 "2020-05-15T17:09:13Z")
None yet. I’ve heard that [Flyp.me](http://Flyp.me) has it on their roadmap. That’s why it might be a good starting point to use a cross-chain DEX like [renproject.io](http://renproject.io). With that approach you can roll your own exchange and—even if you’re receiving transparent transactions from the DEX, you can deal with the user exclusively through shielded transactions. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/shawn/32/187_2.png) [@Shawn](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/Shawn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/4 "2020-05-15T17:22:22Z")
Last I checked shapeshift supported Z-addresses. ---
**Author:** ![anon16456014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon16456014](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/anon16456014)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/5 "2020-05-15T19:35:35Z")
[sideshift.ai](https://sideshift.ai/) fully supports shielded Zcash. ---
**Author:** ![holmesworcester](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/holmesworcester/32/15710_2.png) [@holmesworcester](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/holmesworcester)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/6 "2020-05-15T19:37:46Z")
I just tried a z-address on shapeshift and it threw a not-so-user-friendly error! ![PastedGraphic-5.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/original/3X/2/3/23bb61b75299b856f1054e67f1e136d0de50430d.png) —Holmes ---
**Author:** ![Shawn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/shawn/32/187_2.png) [@Shawn](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/Shawn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/7 "2020-05-15T20:19:52Z")
Hm, perhaps something has changed since 2018? [Jon, COO of ShapeShift, Supporting Shielded Addresses, First Denver Zcash Meetup - YouTube](https://youtu.be/JgvyQYFNKaw) ---
**Author:** ![afterconnery](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/zcash/user_avatar/forum.zcashcommunity.com/afterconnery/32/15953_2.png) [@afterconnery](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/u/afterconnery)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2020, 11:44pm UTC](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/a-shielded-memo-api-for-buying-and-selling-zec/36509/8 "2020-05-16T23:44:34Z")
Sideshift.ai is only available in certain countries. The US is not one of them. Just an fyi > **[Why am I blocked from using SideShift.ai?](https://help.sideshift.ai/en/articles/2874595-why-am-i-blocked-from-using-sideshift-ai)** > > Certain countries are blocked from using SideShift.ai. Learn which they are here.