Shielded Labs Launches Epoch, a Long-Term Cryptography Research Project for Zcash

Shielded Labs has announced Epoch, a new research and engineering project aimed at preparing Zcash against emerging long-term security threats.

The project focuses on four core areas: post-quantum cryptography, AI-powered attackers, adversarial governments, and formal verification of critical code. The stated goal is to develop production-ready, high-assurance cryptography that can eventually protect Zcash against threats from quantum computers and other future attack models.

A dedicated three-person cryptography team is joining Shielded Labs for Epoch. Ulrich Haböck, previously at StarkWare, is taking on the role of Chief Cryptographer.

Shielded Labs emphasized that this work represents proactive long-term security research rather than a response to an imminent threat. "Zcash users should feel confident their privacy and funds are secure well into the future," the organization stated. The project is explicitly framed as preparation well before such threats become practical.