What is Neptune Cash?
Neptune Cash ($NPT) is a layer 1 proof-of-work cryptocurrency built from scratch, focused on private, programmable, and post-quantum-secure payments. It is community-driven, with no venture capital or institutional investors.
Frequently asked questions
General
↑ TopWhat problem does Neptune Cash solve?
Most blockchains are fully transparent, meaning anyone can trace transactions and link activity to identities. Neptune Cash addresses this by making privacy the default at the protocol level, while also preparing for the long-term threat of quantum computing.
When did Neptune Cash launch?
Neptune Cash launched its mainnet in 2025.
Who created Neptune Cash?
Neptune Cash was developed by a small team of cryptographers and engineers and launched as a grassroots project. It was built from scratch rather than forked from an existing blockchain.
What is the ticker symbol?
The ticker symbol is NPT.
Is Neptune Cash open source?
Yes. All code is publicly available on GitHub under the Neptune-Crypto organisation.
Privacy and technology
↑ TopHow does privacy work in Neptune Cash?
Neptune Cash hides the sender, receiver, and amount of every transaction by default using zk-STARKs and Mutator Sets. No opt-in or shielding step is required — privacy is built into the protocol at layer 1.
What are zk-STARKs?
zk-STARKs are zero-knowledge proofs that allow one party to prove a statement is true without revealing the underlying data. Neptune Cash uses them to verify transactions without exposing any identifying information.
What are Mutator Sets?
Mutator Sets are a cryptographic data structure used by Neptune Cash to track unspent outputs in a way that prevents linking transactions together, providing strong on-chain privacy.
What is quantum resistance and why does it matter?
Quantum resistance means the cryptographic foundations of Neptune Cash are designed to remain secure even if large-scale quantum computers are developed. Most existing blockchains rely on algorithms that future quantum computers could break. Neptune Cash uses hash-based cryptography that is not vulnerable to known quantum attacks.
Is Neptune Cash private by default or optional?
Private by default. Unlike some privacy coins that require users to explicitly opt into shielded transactions, Neptune Cash builds privacy into every transaction at the protocol level — there is no transparent mode.
How does Neptune Cash compare to Monero and Zcash?
Monero uses ring signatures and stealth addresses; Zcash uses zk-SNARKs with optional shielding. Neptune Cash uses zk-STARKs with Mutator Sets and makes privacy mandatory, while also adding post-quantum security and programmability via Triton VM — features neither Monero nor Zcash offer natively.
Wallets and transactions
↑ TopWhere do I download the wallet?
The latest wallet release is available on the official Neptune Cash GitHub. Always download from the official source and verify the release before installing.
What platforms does the wallet support?
The Neptune Wallet is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Check the latest release notes for supported versions.
How do I back up my wallet?
Write down your recovery phrase and store it offline in a secure location. Never store it digitally or share it with anyone. Without this phrase, lost funds cannot be recovered.
Can I restore my wallet from a recovery phrase?
Yes. Your recovery phrase gives full access to your funds. Use it only in the official wallet software and never enter it on any website or share it with anyone.
How do I send and receive NPT?
Open the wallet and generate a receive address to share with the sender. To send, paste the recipient's address and confirm the amount. Always double-check the address before confirming.
Why is my transaction not confirmed yet?
Transactions require network confirmations before they are considered final. With a target block time of 9.8 minutes, most transactions confirm within a few blocks. Network conditions can occasionally cause delays.
Are wallet addresses reusable?
Neptune Cash uses stealth address techniques so that on-chain activity cannot be linked back to a single identity. Each transaction is designed to be unlinkable by default.
Nodes and network participation
↑ TopWhat is a full node?
A full node downloads and independently validates the entire Neptune Cash blockchain. Running one strengthens the network, improves your own privacy, and lets you verify your own transactions without trusting anyone else.
How do I run a node?
Download the Neptune Core software from the official GitHub repository and follow the setup instructions. The node software can run alongside the wallet or independently.
What is a bootstrap node?
Bootstrap nodes help new nodes join the network by providing initial peer connections. Running one is a useful contribution to network health, especially in the early mainnet phase.
What are the hardware requirements for running a node?
Neptune Cash nodes are designed to be lightweight. A modern consumer computer with a stable internet connection is sufficient. Exact requirements may evolve — check the documentation for current recommendations.
Do I need to run a node to use the wallet?
No. The wallet can connect to existing network peers. However, running your own node gives you full independence and better privacy.
Tokenomics
↑ TopWhat is the maximum supply of NPT?
The maximum supply is capped at 42,000,000 NPT. There is no tail emission — once all coins are mined, no new supply is created.
What was the premine?
831,488 NPT (approximately 1.98% of total supply) was premined to fund four years of original development. The remainder is mined openly through proof-of-work.
Is there a block reward tax or founder fee?
No. There is no ongoing block reward tax, developer fee, or founder allocation taken from block rewards. All mined supply goes entirely to miners.
What is the block time?
The target block time is 9.8 minutes.
How does the halving work?
The block reward halves approximately every 3 years, or every 160,814 blocks. This controls the rate of new supply entering circulation over time.
Is there tail emission?
No. Neptune Cash has no tail emission. The supply is strictly capped and will stop growing after all coins have been mined.
Mining
↑ TopHow do I start mining NPT?
Mining is built into the Neptune node software. Run a full node and enable the built-in miner to start participating in block production.
What hardware is needed for mining?
Neptune Cash currently supports CPU mining. GPU miner development is an open community contribution area, so hardware requirements may evolve over time.
What is the current block reward?
The block reward decreases over time following the halving schedule. Check the community dashboard or block explorer for the current reward per block.
Are there mining pools available?
Pool infrastructure for Neptune Cash is still early. Check the community forum and Telegram for the latest information on available pools.
Is GPU mining supported?
Not yet officially, but an open-source GPU miner is a highlighted community contribution opportunity. Follow the GitHub and forum for progress updates.
What consensus mechanism does Neptune Cash use?
Neptune Cash uses proof-of-work (PoW), the same consensus model as Bitcoin. Miners compete to produce valid blocks and earn block rewards.
Buying and exchanges
↑ TopWhere can I buy NPT?
NPT is currently available on SafeTrade. Additional exchange listings may follow over time. Always verify exchange links from the official Neptune Cash website.
What trading pairs are available?
Check the current exchange listings for available trading pairs. Pairs and liquidity may change as the project grows.
How do I withdraw NPT to my own wallet?
Generate a receive address in the Neptune Wallet, then initiate a withdrawal from the exchange using that address. Always double-check the address before confirming.
How long do deposits and withdrawals take?
Timing depends on network confirmations and exchange processing. Wait until the exchange confirms funds as available before trading. Withdrawals follow the same confirmation process.
Is NPT available on any decentralised exchange?
DEX availability is limited at this stage. Check the community forum and official channels for the latest listing updates.
Security, bugs, upgrades, and hard forks
↑ TopHow are security vulnerabilities handled?
Security issues should be reported responsibly through the official GitHub repository. Avoid posting vulnerability details publicly before a fix has been coordinated.
Where do I report a bug?
Open an issue on the relevant GitHub repository under the Neptune-Crypto organisation. Include as much detail as possible — steps to reproduce, software version, and platform.
How are protocol upgrades coordinated?
Upgrades are discussed openly on the community forum and tracked on GitHub. Major changes are signalled in advance so node operators and miners can prepare.
What happens during a hard fork?
Hard forks require all nodes and miners to upgrade to remain on the canonical chain. Upgrade announcements are made through official channels well ahead of the activation block.
How do I know if my node or wallet software is up to date?
Check the GitHub releases page for the latest versions of Neptune Core and the Neptune Wallet. Staying current is important for security and network compatibility.
Smart contracts and programmability
↑ TopCan smart contracts be built on Neptune Cash?
Yes. Neptune Cash supports private smart contracts through Triton VM, a custom virtual machine designed for zk-STARK-based computation.
What is Triton VM?
Triton VM is a zero-knowledge virtual machine developed as part of the Neptune Cash project. It allows developers to write programs that can be executed and verified privately using STARK proofs.
What is TASM?
TASM (Triton Assembly) is the low-level instruction set for Triton VM. Developers can write programs in TASM to build private applications and smart contracts on top of Neptune Cash.
What kinds of applications can be built?
Possible applications include private payment protocols, confidential token issuance, trustless escrow, and other programs where computation needs to be verified without revealing inputs. The design space is still being explored by the community.
Is smart contract support live on mainnet?
Triton VM support is part of the Neptune Cash architecture from launch. Developer tooling and documentation are evolving — follow the GitHub and forum for the latest state of programmability features.
Development and contributing
↑ TopWhere is the source code?
All Neptune Cash repositories are publicly available at github.com/Neptune-Crypto. This includes the node software, wallet, Triton VM, and related tooling.
What languages and technologies are used?
The Neptune Cash codebase is primarily written in Rust. Triton VM and the STARK proof system are also implemented in Rust.
How can I contribute as a developer?
Start by running the node and wallet, then look for open issues on GitHub. Good first contributions include bug reports, documentation improvements, test coverage, and tooling for the RPC API or Triton VM.
Can non-developers contribute?
Yes. The project needs testers, writers, translators, community moderators, graphic designers, and people who help answer questions and welcome newcomers. See the Community page for more contribution paths.
Is there a developer grant or funding programme?
No formal grant programme exists yet. Community funding models are an open discussion on the forum. For now, contributions are voluntary and community-driven.
Community and official resources
↑ TopWhere is the official project website?
The official Neptune Cash website is neptune.cash. It includes the whitepaper, documentation, blog, and developer resources.
Where can I find the whitepaper?
The whitepaper is available at neptune.cash/whitepaper.
Where is the community forum?
The Neptune community forum is at talk.neptune.cash. It is the main place for longer-form discussion, proposals, and project updates.
What are the official social channels?
Follow @NeptuneCash on X for official project updates, and @CodewordNeptune for community commentary. The Telegram group at t.me/neptune_project is the main real-time chat channel.
How do I tell official channels from unofficial ones?
Refer to the links listed on this site and on neptune.cash. Be cautious of accounts or groups impersonating Neptune Cash — the project will never ask for your recovery phrase or private keys.
Troubleshooting
↑ TopMy wallet won't sync — what should I do?
Check that you are running the latest version of the wallet. Restart the application and ensure your internet connection is stable. If the issue persists, ask for help in the community forum or Telegram.
My node is not connecting to peers — what should I do?
Check that the required ports are open on your firewall or router. Ensure you are running the latest node software. Peer connection issues are often resolved by restarting the node or adjusting firewall settings.
I sent NPT to the wrong address — can it be reversed?
No. Blockchain transactions are irreversible once confirmed. Always verify the recipient address carefully before sending. If funds were sent to an address you control, you can recover them. Otherwise, they are unrecoverable.
My transaction is stuck as unconfirmed — what should I do?
Unconfirmed transactions will eventually be included in a block or dropped from the mempool. Wait for additional block confirmations. If the issue persists, ask in the forum or Telegram for guidance.
Where can I get help if I'm stuck?
The Telegram group (t.me/neptune_project) is the fastest way to get a response. For more detailed questions, post on the community forum at talk.neptune.cash.