How to buy Horizen (ZEN)

How to buy and use Horizen (ZEN) on its native network

Horizen (ZEN) is a privacy-first platform that uses zero-knowledge proofs and TEEs to make privacy technology usable across the web. The project launched in 2017 as a fair launch, non-ICO project. It is now evolving into Horizen 2.0, which is a Layer 3 appchain deployed on Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 developed by Coinbase.

This transition means ZEN is an ERC-20 token on the Base network. This change is intended to improve liquidity and interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem. ZEN is used for governance, accessing privacy services, and fueling interactions within zkApps.

Verified routes to get ZEN

You can find ZEN on several centralized exchanges. These include Binance, Bybit, MEXC, and Coinbase Exchange. Other verified routes include BitMart, HTX, KuCoin, OKX, and Bitget.

For those using decentralized options on the Base network, Aerodrome and Uniswap v3 (Base) provide liquidity. Common trading pairs include ZEN/USDT, ZEN/USD, and ZEN/EUR on centralized platforms, while DEXs offer pairs like WETH/ZEN and USDC/ZEN.

What the native network does

Horizen 2.0 operates as a Layer 3 appchain. By deploying on Base, the network aims to reduce cost and latency for developers who build privacy-enabled and compliance-friendly applications.

The network focuses on modularity. It allows developers to integrate privacy tools without needing to build the underlying infrastructure from scratch. Because it is now an ERC-20 token on Base, ZEN can interact with other DeFi protocols and assets on the Base and Ethereum networks.

Wallet, transfer, and network-fee checks

To hold ZEN on its current native network, you need a wallet that supports the Base network.

The verified contract address for ZEN on Base is 0xf43eb8de897fbc7f2502483b2bef7bb9ea179229. You should verify this address through official sources before making any transfers. You can monitor transactions and address balances using the Horizen explorer.

Users should be aware that network fees for transfers are paid in the native gas token of the Base network.

Self-custody and withdrawal risks

Transferring tokens between exchanges and private wallets carries risks. Deposit and withdrawal support for the specific networks used by exchanges is not verified in our data. You must check if an exchange supports the Base network before attempting a withdrawal.

There are other risks to consider:

• Using a lookalike contract address or the wrong network can lead to a permanent loss of funds.
• Exchange availability, KYC requirements, and account features vary by country.
• Some platforms may have withdrawal limits or specific regional restrictions.

Sources and methodology

The routes listed in this guide come only from verified market-pair rows in our database. We use web research and CMC news for background and risk context. Information from CoinMarketCap page scrapes is treated as low-confidence context and is not used as proof of fees or contract safety. Live market values, such as price and volume, are omitted because they change too frequently to remain accurate in a static guide.