Rhea Finance – Zcash Gateway (Browser Wallet + Cross-Chain DeFi)

Community Grants Applications
1

Hi guys, Kruzz from the Rhea Finance team here to submit our grant application for the Rhea Zcash Gateway.

Funding Requested

$54,200

Overview

Rhea Finance is building cross-chain abstracted liquidity infrastructure to enable seamless DeFi access across multiple ecosystems.

With this proposal, we introduce the Rhea Zcash Gateway, a browser-based wallet and infrastructure layer that integrates ZEC into cross-chain DeFi, enabling lending, borrowing, and liquidity access while preserving Zcash’s privacy guarantees.

Problem

Zcash remains largely isolated from DeFi due to:

  • Lack of browser-based wallet infrastructure

  • No lending/borrowing markets for ZEC

  • Complex cross-chain access

  • Limited usability of shielded assets

As a result, ZEC is mostly a passive asset.

Solution

Rhea will build a Chrome Extension Wallet that unlocks ZEC in DeFi through:

  • Cross-chain lending (ZEC as collateral)

  • Privacy-preserving bridge to multi-chain liquidity

  • Intent-based routing (no manual bridging)

  • Shielded transaction support

  • Seamless dApp integration

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Users will be able to supply ZEC, borrow stablecoins, and access DeFi without losing privacy.

What We’re Delivering

  • Zcash browser wallet (Rhea Zcash Gateway)

  • Cross-chain lending infrastructure

  • Privacy-preserving bridge layer

  • Intent-based execution system

Rhea already has a live cross chain lending platform that supports ZEC lending:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: https://x.rhea.finance/

Team

  • Zero (CEO) – 8+ years in crypto, ex-BIHU core dev

  • Sun Hao (CTO) – ex-China Telecom, Cardano researcher, NEAR contributor

  • Aescobar (Ops Lead) – scaled $300M BTC bridge, $70M TVL

  • 10 additional engineers (frontend/backend)

Technical Approach (Summary)

  • Rust + WASM core for secure key management and shielded transactions

  • Chrome extension UI with strict isolation from private keys

  • Built on Zcash SDKs and ecosystem libraries

  • Uses NEAR Intents for cross-chain execution

Budget Summary

  • Total: $54,200

    • Infrastructure + audit: $26,200

    • Development + marketing: $28,000

Milestones

We have structured the project across 7 milestones, covering:

  • Wallet architecture & design

  • Core wallet implementation

  • Shielded transaction support

  • Public release

  • Documentation & onboarding

  • Ecosystem integrations

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Full milestone breakdown (detailed deliverables & timelines):
https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/239

Key Risks

  • Browser-based proof generation performance

  • Lack of existing Zcash web wallet baseline

Mitigation:

  • Hybrid proof system (local + backend-assisted)

  • Modular architecture built on proven Zcash libraries

Success Metrics

  • Functional browser wallet

  • Shielded transaction support

  • Successful public release

  • User adoption and integrations

Closing

This proposal enables Zcash to move from a passive store of value → active DeFi asset, while maintaining its core privacy guarantees.

We are looking forward to hearing feedback from the Zcash community and contributors. Our goal is to collaborate closely, iterate based on input, and continue improving the product.

Ultimately, we aim to unlock more DeFi activation for ZEC, bringing new utility, liquidity, and participation into the Zcash ecosystem.

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