ZCoin is a privacy focused cryptocurrency built on Ethereum. The ZCoin protocol enables anonymous transactions with cryptography that utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP). ZCoin increases privacy on their network by using a coin-mixer contract that wraps transactions in a serial number and destroying wrapped coins once they have been redeemed.
Zcoin was the first cryptocurrency to use a Merkle Tree Proof (MTP) as its proof of work algorithm. Merkle Tree Proofs are an innovative solution to achieving network consensus, and can increase transaction time while reducing the centralizing tendency of ASIC mining.

Feathercoin is a PoW coin with a fast block processing time. The project was developed with the goal of creating a user friendly coin with fast transaction times and low fees. The Feathercoin network features Automatic Checkpointing (ACP), which is used to prevent 51% attacks. ACP creates a new checkpoint every 5 blocks, protecting the history of the Feathercoin blockchain.