[Omniscient]

So much discussion recently about privacy coins.

Monero
Dash
ZCash

I see Dash up 47% today. Meanwhile, when I ask AI about Dash's privacy it's both optional and traceable.

If you are indeed considering investing into privacy coins please note there is truly only one and that's Monero.

AI Quote: Yes — Dash can be considered a privacy coin, but with an important distinction: its privacy features are optional rather than built-in by default. ([Skrill][1])

Here’s how that works:

✅ Optional privacy
Dash offers a built-in privacy feature historically known as PrivateSend, which uses a *CoinJoin-style mixing mechanism to obscure the trail of transactions by combining multiple users’ inputs and outputs. ([Skrill][1]) When a user chooses to use PrivateSend, it makes it harder (but not impossible) to trace the origin of funds on the blockchain. ([TRM Labs][2])

❌ Not private by default

Unlike some other privacy coins, standard Dash transactions are transparent, meaning anyone can see sender, receiver, and amount unless the user specifically uses PrivateSend for privacy. ([Edge Wallet][3]) Because privacy is optional and not enforced at the protocol level, Dash’s privacy guarantees are generally considered weaker than those of coins where every transaction is private by default (e.g., Monero). ([Skrill][1])

In summary:

Dash is often grouped with privacy-focused cryptocurrencies because it provides privacy-enhancing tools*. ([The Defiant][4])
But it’s not a “privacy coin” in the strictest sense like Monero or Zcash, where privacy is enforced by the protocol for every transaction. ([CoinMarketCap][5])

If you want privacy by default and the strongest anonymity protections, Monero and Zcash are generally regarded as more robust options. ([Skrill][1])

[1]: https://www.skrill.com/en/crypto/the-skr...hatgpt.com "What Is A Privacy Coin | Examples Of ..."
[2]: https://www.trmlabs.com/glossary/privacy...hatgpt.com "Privacy coins"
[3]: https://edge.app/blog/tips-and-tutorials...hatgpt.com "Privacy: Dash vs Monero - Edge"
[4]: https://thedefiant.io/news/markets/priva...hatgpt.com "Privacy Coin Rally Continues as DASH Surges 150%"
[5]: https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/articl...hatgpt.com "What Are Privacy Coins?"

[ObsidianMD]

"When a user chooses to use PrivateSend, it makes it harder (but not impossible) to trace the origin of funds on the blockchain." That's crazy to me; it makes it harder to track, but if someone is trying to trace funds, I don't think they'll give up just because it's a little harder now.

[Omniscient]

"When a user chooses to use PrivateSend, it makes it harder (but not impossible) to trace the origin of funds on the blockchain." That's crazy to me; it makes it harder to track, but if someone is trying to trace funds, I don't think they'll give up just because it's a little harder now.

My guess is timing makes it possible to track because Dash doesn't have a lot transactions per day. It's about 25,000 while Monero does double that. But even more importantly is how Dash does privacy, using Coinjoin. If the txn ledger is public, which it is, then you can figure out timing and trace the sender.


Anyone ever look at the XMR explorer? Almost no information.


https://moneroexplorer.org/#/transaction...f53cecc639

Meanwhile a Dash txn....

https://blockchair.com/dash/transaction/...b78a97a70d

Note that basically almost all crypto is public ledger. XMR is the exception. Fully shielded Zcash is similar but that's optional and I've experienced blockchain problems with delays and balances with wallets.