Help better understanding how FIRO works?

General
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So I’m getting confused about the different terms thrown around and how FIRO works by default.
I’m sure I’m not the only one so any answers may help others understand.

Is FIRO transactions private by default?

If not is it more like Zcash with un-shielded and shielded transactions?
Zcash requires users to actively choose shielded transactions.
Is this the same with FIRO or is it rather different then that?

I understand that there is Spark Addresses and transactions can be viewed on the blockchain but wallet addresses, sender and receiver are private. While Non-Spark Addresses do not use the Lelantus protocal and are for transparency or compliance means.

Are Spark Addresses enabled by default?

Can Non-Spark Addresses be “burned to redeem” and made private?
I understand the rename of or rather the name FIRO is derived from the word “fire,” which symbolizes the burning of coins in the context of its privacy features.

I guess I’m trying to understand the burn-to-redeem mechanism thrown around.

Is it a true statement that:

FIRO’s burn-to-redeem mechanism helps to sever the link between transactions more effectively than Zcash’s optional privacy model, which can lead to potential tracing of funds if users do not consistently use shielded transactions.

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Firo transactions are private by default.

Coinbase transactions are not private when mined, but work is underway to implement Spark coinbase.

Spark Addresses cannot be viewed on the blockchain. Spark Addresses are enabled by default.

Non-Spark addresses (transparent) cannot be burned. Non-Spark (transparent) balances can be burnt to make private balance.

Try viewing it from a perspective of transparent versus private balances (instead of transparent/private addresses) for an easier understanding.

Yes, the last block quote is correct. Try this example:

You burn 100 FIRO now. At some point in the future, you want to pay someone 30 FIRO. You then take the burn receipt for the 100 FIRO, redeem 30 FIRO to the other party and also burn the change (minus fees)

This prevents adversaries from linking the earlier burnt 100 FIRO to the current payment of 30 FIRO. Additionally, it does not matter if you burn 1000, 100, 10, 0.1337 FIRO…, they all share the same anonymity set.

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Ok everything is making more sense to me now. Another question I have is are EX-addresses the same the transparent addresses or are they different.

I was reading this Exchange Addresses | Firo - Privacy-preserving cryptocurrency
which prompted my question. If they are different maybe provide and example of what they look like.

For more on what I mean is with Bitcoin there is a P2PKH address which always start with “1” like 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa.

Then there is a SegWit which is always starts with “bc1” like bc1qw508d6qejxtdg4y5r3zx8w5r3z5w5r3z5w5r3z5.

Do Ex-addesses start with “ex”?

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EX-addresses are a variant of transparent address. It does not allow you to receive private spends.

They are meant for use only by exchanges. Users should not generate or use EX-addresses.

They start with prefix of EXX for mainnet.

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So its not something I have to worry about in Firo-qt wallet? If I have to use a CEX I would just generate a transparent address correct?

So spark addresses start with “sm1” like:
sm1xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Transparent addresses start with “a” like:
axxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Transparent addresses start with a/z.

Spark addresses start with sm

Exchange addresses (EX-addresses) does not accept inputs from Spark addresses. They only allow transparent addresses.

When using Firo Qt and you have no transparent balance and you try to send from private balance to exchange address, Firo-Qt will automatically prompt you to unshield.

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meme
meme1920×1080 443 KB

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lol you should make a meme topic thread

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