This page is under construction

# Cashu – Chaumian Ecash on Bitcoin

Cashu is a lightweight, privacy‑preserving ecash system that runs on top of the Lightning Network and settles on‑chain. It uses zero‑knowledge proofs to hide the value of a transfer while remaining fully traceable when required.

## What is Cashu?

Cashu is an ecash protocol that allows you to mint, transfer, and spend Bitcoin value without revealing the amount or the sender/receiver in public transactions. It leverages the Lightning Network for instant settlement while maintaining on‑chain traceability for regulatory compliance. Think of it as a privacy‑preserving UTXO that can be moved anywhere on the Lightning network.

## Privacy & Zero‑Knowledge

At the core of Cashu is a zero‑knowledge range proof that proves the value of a note without exposing it. This means you can pay for goods or services with a Cashu note and the recipient can verify that the note contains sufficient value, while the transaction remains private on‑chain.

## Underlying Technology

Cashu uses a set of “notes” minted by a mint and signed with a unique key. Each note contains an amount and a unique identifier that the mint keeps encrypted. Transfers are executed with the Lightning Network, but minting and redeeming are done via on‑chain transactions that are fully verifiable.

## Apps & Use‑Cases

Several wallet applications support Cashu, from the Cashu Web Wallet to Melt’s Lightning Wallet. Below are quick links to some popular ones:

Cashu Web Wallet Melt Wallet Cashu JS Demo

## Getting Started

To begin using Cashu, you’ll need a Lightning‑ready wallet that supports the protocol. Most of the wallets listed above have a `Cashu` switch or integration. Once installed, create a new Cashu account, mint a few notes, and start experimenting.

## Video Resources

### Explainer – What is Cashu?

Your browser does not support the video tag.

### How to Mint a Cashu Note

Your browser does not support the video tag.

### Using Cashu in Melt Wallet

Your browser does not support the video tag.
🔝