Tornado cash explained (2024)

What is Tornado Cash?

Tornado Cash is a non-custodial smart contract platform that allows users to send and receive Ethereum (ETH) anonymously. The protocol uses zero-knowledge proofs and other cryptographic techniques to ensure that transactions are untraceable and unlinkable.

This means that users can make transactions without revealing their identity or transaction history. This is useful for users who want to protect their financial privacy, or for transactions that require anonymity for legal or other reasons.

Tornado Cash is an open-source project, meaning that anyone can access and contribute to the codebase. The protocol is also permissionless, meaning that anyone can use the platform without having to go through any kind of approval process.

How does Tornado Cash work?

Tornado Cash uses a smart contract called a “mixer” to create anonymous transactions. When a user wants to make an anonymous transaction, they first deposit their ETH into the mixer.

The mixer then splits the ETH into multiple smaller denominations, and mixes them with other users’ deposits. This makes it impossible to track the original ETH or link it to the user’s identity.

After the mixing is complete, the user can withdraw their anonymized ETH from the mixer. The withdrawn ETH can be used for any purpose, including making further anonymous transactions.

Tornado Cash also has a feature called "shielding," which allows users to convert their ETH into a private version called "zETH." This zETH can be used to make anonymous transactions on other DeFi protocols that support zk-SNARKs (a type of zero-knowledge proof).

What are the benefits of Tornado Cash?

Tornado Cash provides several benefits to users, including:

Financial privacy: The protocol allows users to make anonymous transactions, protecting their financial privacy and giving them more control over their money.
Security: The protocol uses advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure that transactions are secure and untraceable.
Open-source and permissionless: The protocol is open-source and permissionless, meaning that anyone can access and use the platform.
Accessibility: The protocol is easy to use and requires no special technical skills or knowledge.
Integration with other DeFi protocols: The protocol allows users to convert their ETH into zETH, which can be used on other DeFi protocols that support zk-SNARKs.

How can I use Tornado Cash?

To use Tornado Cash, you will need a Web3 wallet (such as MetaMask) and some ETH. You can then follow these steps:

Go to the Tornado Cash website (https://tornado.cash/) and click on the “Mix” tab.

2. Connect your Web3 wallet to the platform by clicking on the “Connect Wallet” button.

3.Choose the amount of ETH you want to deposit and click on the “Deposit” button.

4. The platform will show you the mixing fee and the minimum deposit amount. Confirm the transaction by clicking on the “Approve” button.

5. The platform will mix your ETH with other users’ deposits. This process may take a few minutes.

6. Once the mixing is complete, you can withdraw your anonymized ETH by clicking on the “Withdraw” button.

7. Confirm the transaction by clicking on the “Submit” button.