Open-source private cryptocurrencies

5 private cryptocurrencies whose code is public under an OSI-approved license, rated for privacy with evidence. Picks first, then by score.

1. Bitcoin Grade A

   Decentralized cryptocurrency and payment network. Every transaction, address and amount is recorded on a public blockchain, so payments are pseudonymous rather than private.

   The reference implementation, Bitcoin Core, is MIT licensed. Source code

2. Monero Grade A

   Cryptocurrency that hides the sender, receiver and amount of every transaction by default, using ring signatures, stealth addresses and RingCT.

   BSD-3-Clause and MIT. Source code

3. Bittensor Grade B

   Decentralized network where subnets compete to produce machine learning and other digital work, rewarded in its TAO token. All transactions and balances are recorded on a public blockchain.

   The Subtensor blockchain node is Apache-2.0, and the Python SDK and btcli are MIT. Source code

4. Ethereum Grade B

   Decentralized blockchain platform for smart contracts and applications, with Ether as its native currency. All transactions and contract activity are recorded on a public blockchain.

   The go-ethereum client is LGPL-3.0 and GPL-3.0, and the other major clients and the protocol specifications are also open source. Source code

5. Zcash Grade C

   Cryptocurrency that uses zero-knowledge proofs to offer shielded transactions, which hide the sender, receiver and amount. Transparent transactions are also supported, so privacy depends on using shielded addresses.

   MIT and Apache-2.0. Zebra is the main node implementation after zcashd reached end of life. Source code

Compare all 5 private cryptocurrencies, open source or not.