It is unfortunate to hear about the recent layoffs at the Electric Coin Company (ECC), and our sincere sympathies go out to those individuals impacted by this decision. While these circumstances are never easy, Zcash Community Grants (ZCG) believes the ECC has made an important strategic decision that will benefit Zcash over the long term. As an organization committed to decentralization, ECC’s decision to optimize its resources and focus on core priorities can help pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem.
ECC has established itself as an important organization, both inside and outside of Zcash, that is renowned for its cutting-edge cryptography, innovative engineering, and as a leading advocate for privacy in domestic crypto policy matters. ECC’s expertise in cryptography has set the standard for secure and private transactions that has been instrumental to the development of Zcash and a number of other privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of cryptographic research and engineering has enabled groundbreaking advancements in privacy technology, most recently with Halo2. ECC’s active engagement in domestic crypto policy issues demonstrates their dedication to promoting the long-term viability and adoption of Zcash and other privacy-preserving technologies. Through their various contributions, ECC has consistently demonstrated leadership and played a vital role in the crypto industry.
ZCG remains confident in the vision and direction of the ECC and is optimistic about the future of Zcash under this strategic restructuring. While it’s natural to have questions and concerns during times of change, ZCG firmly believes that these developments present an opportunity for Zcash to further decentralize and strengthen its ecosystem. In light of the recent layoffs, ZCG may be able to provide resources to support the functions and areas impacted.
ZCG was established with the goal of enhancing decentralization in the Zcash ecosystem. Since inception, we have funded and supported several diverse contributors including Equilibrium, Free2z, Hanh, NightHawk Apps, QEDIT, Zcash Media, ZecHub, and Zingo. We have also awarded grants to former ECC employees to help further decentralize the ecosystem. For example, we brought on Taylor Hornby as the Ecosystem Security Lead to assess the security of projects developed by non-ECC/ZF engineers. We also recently provided a grant to Ying Tong to serve as the Halo2 community manager.
We encourage those impacted by the ECC layoffs to consider applying for a ZCG grant. ZCG is open to a wide range of proposals, spanning various areas including development, research, education, marketing, and infrastructure. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive ecosystem that sets Zcash up for long-term success. Although our budget has also been impacted by the bear market, we may be able to allocate resources to fill any gaps that emerge as a result of the restructuring and help ensure any critical work previously carried out by the ECC continues to progress.
While change can be challenging, it is often a catalyst for growth and improvement. The Zcash community has always demonstrated resilience and adaptability, and we are confident that the community will navigate this transition successfully. Let’s work together and use this change as an opportunity to further decentralize and build a stronger, more robust ecosystem.
Thank you,
Zcash Community Grants
goes out to all those affected by this news. For the rest of us this is a call to action to do better 
. ZCG is going to have a busy year with some tough decisions on project and funding. They are going to need as much help as they can get from us, the community, to make those decisions. 
