How does Tornado Cash Official work?
Tornado Cash Official is a decentralized protocol that enables private cryptocurrency transactions using zk-SNARKs. This page explains the mechanics of its anonymity pools and transaction flow.
Anonymity Pools
Tornado Cash Official operates through fixed-denomination anonymity pools (e.g., 0.1 ETH, 1 ETH, 10 ETH) on Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain. Each pool is a smart contract that holds deposited funds from multiple users, creating a large anonymity set to obscure transaction origins.
Transaction Flow
- Deposit: A user sends a fixed amount to a pool, receiving a cryptographic note (a private key) that proves their deposit. This note must be stored securely.
- Mixing: The deposited funds are pooled with others, breaking the direct link between the user’s deposit address and the funds.
- Withdrawal: Using the cryptographic note, the user generates a zk-SNARK proof to withdraw funds to a new address without revealing the deposit. A relayer can be used for gasless withdrawals to enhance privacy.
Note: The larger the anonymity set (number of deposits in a pool), the stronger the privacy. Always follow Tips to remain anonymous.
Role of zk-SNARKs
zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge) allow users to prove they deposited funds without revealing which deposit was theirs. This ensures withdrawals are anonymous yet verifiable by the smart contract.
Additional Features
- Relayers: Third-party services that pay gas fees for withdrawals, further obscuring the user’s address. Learn more in Relayer.
- Anonymity Mining: Incentives for users to keep funds in pools longer, increasing anonymity sets. See Anonymity Mining.
- Governance: The protocol is managed by a DAO using TORN tokens.
Security Considerations
While Tornado Cash Official is designed for privacy, users must:
- Securely store their cryptographic note, as it’s required for withdrawals.
- Use trusted relayers to avoid scams.
- Be aware of risks, such as potential smart contract vulnerabilities.
Further Reading
Explore related topics:
- Smart Contracts for technical details.
- Tips to remain anonymous for best practices.
- FAQ for common questions.