ZAMA Public Launch Set For January 21 With a Privacy-First Model

January 20, 2025 The ZAMA public launch is set to begin on January 21, 2026, at 8:00 AM UTC. This marks the first public distribution of the $ZAMA token. Rather than relying on a traditional fixed-price or first-come launch, Zama is deploying a sealed-bid Dutch auction built directly on its own protocol. The sale will distribute 10% of the total 11 billion $ZAMA supply, starting from a $55 million floor FDV with no upper cap.

Why the ZAMA Presale Doubles as a Statement?

The timing and structure of the ZAMA presale are not accidental. Zama has spent years developing Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), a technology that allows computation on encrypted data without ever revealing the underlying information. This auction is a live demonstration of that capability.

As blockchain adoption grows, so do concerns around data exposure, transaction transparency, and surveillance. While zero-knowledge proofs solve parts of this problem, they fall short for complex computations across DeFi, AI, and enterprise use cases. Zama’s approach adds a native confidentiality layer without requiring users or developers to leave existing chains.

The project’s readiness is backed by scale. Since 2019, Zama has raised over $130 million, including major rounds in 2024 and 2025, and launched its Ethereum mainnet in late 2025. Community testing, NFT programs, and feedback also shaped the final auction design, with the launch date pushed back slightly to ensure smoother KYC flows and global access.

In that sense, the ZAMA presale is less about short-term fundraising and more about positioning privacy as core infrastructure for the next phase of crypto adoption.

What to Watch Next After the ZAMA Public Launch?

Several milestones will shape how the market interprets the ZAMA presale.

• Upcoming dates or deadlines:
  Bidding closes on January 24, with token claims opening on February 2, 2026. Post-auction fixed-price sales follow shortly after.
• Key governance votes or roadmap items:
  Governance proposals are expected in Q1 2026, covering protocol upgrades, fee structures, and staking parameters. Solana integration is targeted for Q2 2026, expanding FHE use cases.
• Important confirmations or risks:
  Tokens are fully unlocked at claim, which may introduce volatility. Some staking features may apply lockups for rewards. Regional restrictions, including the US and UK, could affect distribution.
• Conditions that would change the narrative:
  Weak auction demand or delayed integrations could weigh on sentiment. Conversely, strong adoption of FHE-powered apps or successful AI integrations could quickly reframe $ZAMA as core privacy infrastructure.

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