My Framework for ZCG: Turning the Best Privacy Tech into Unstoppable Private Money
Zcash already has the best privacy technology on earth.
To win, we must now accelerate, transform it into private money that individuals, merchants, and institutions actually use every day.
Shield once. Spend privately forever. Zero friction.
That is the mission. That is why I am running.
Simplicity must be our obsession, and the true multipliers are the passionate developers, local communities, merchants, and businesses worldwide who will make private money a reality. ZCG’s role is to empower them with resources, clear direction, and trust, then get out of the way.
The Distinct Role of ZCG: Proactive, Forward-Looking Capital Allocation
Unlike retroactive Dev Fund slices that reward past work, ZCG exists to say “yes” to bold, strategic projects that wouldn’t otherwise exist or would take far longer. We fund the future that today is only on paper.
By publishing a concise annual one-pager (key criteria + strategic priorities), prepared by the full committee in open consultation with the community, we combine proactive leadership with complete transparency and accountability.
Guiding Principle
Every proposal is evaluated on two levels:
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Its own merit
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Its contribution to the broader ecosystem
The end-user is always the North Star: seamless private spending for people, and a natural private treasury asset for companies, institutions, and network states.
My Three Non-Negotiable Rules
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Net Shielded-Spending Impact is the Only Metric That Counts
Real-world private usage is king. Simple proxies: volume of shielded-to-shielded transactions + unique addresses with at least one private spend in the last 90 days. -
Highest-Impact Projects Get Funded First and Fastest with Iron-Clad Milestones and Clawbacks
Initiatives that deliver the biggest shielded-spending lift quickly (ideally within 12 months) take priority. Strict accountability is non-negotiable. -
A Protected Slice for Loyal Long-Term Builders and Visionary Research: Strictly Capped
A limited, capped portion of the budget is reserved for proven teams and resilience-building work (security, infrastructure, institutional trust). It never crowds out core impact projects.
Transparency, Collaboration, and a Growth Mindset
The choice is never just “approve or reject.” What we fund sends a powerful signal about what we value as a community.
I approach every proposal with a growth mindset: there is almost always a third path: working collaboratively with applicants to reshape scope, timing, or milestones for maximum impact and minimum risk. Flexibility and common sense are essential, while the same rigorous criteria apply to all.
This framework is designed to help serious builders succeed, not to create hurdles.
Empowering Local Communities and Multipliers
Passionate local communities, education initiatives, and on-the-ground teams are adoption accelerators. We should resource them systematically and use their real-world feedback to sharpen our priorities just as I did when engaging stakeholders in my diplomatic career.
A sharper brand and strategic focus will also unlock deeper structural partnerships (the Brave proposal is one example).
This Framework Is a Living Document
I welcome criticism, questions, and suggestions from everyone : ZCAP members, builders, applicants, and the wider community. The goal is to make this framework as effective as possible, and your input will only make it stronger.
Feel free to reply here on the forum, reach out on X (https://x.com/blueai8866?), or send me a direct message anytime.
In Practice
This framework already guides my reviews of current proposals:
• General vision: ZCG Nominations Now Open! - #57 by Anaximander
• Brave 90-Day Campaign: Zcash 90-Day Global Privacy Campaign via Brave — Dec 2025 through Feb 2026 - #12 by Anaximander
• ZGo Migration to Zebra: ZGo Migration to Zebra - Grant Application - #11 by Anaximander
• Bootstrapped & Deterministic Builds (StageX): Bootstrapped and deterministic builds a la StageX - #9 by Anaximander
• ZecHub 2026: ZecHub 2026 - #7 by Anaximander
If elected, I will champion this approach on the committee: clear rules, transparent decisions, and an unrelenting focus on turning Zcash into the private money the world needs now.