Hello everyone, I am announcing my candidacy for ZCG. My name is Palmar. I received my first shielded transaction in 2022, and since then my perspective on cryptocurrencies has undergone a complete 180-degree shift. At that moment, I realized that cryptocurrencies could not achieve their goals or protect human rights without privacy. Since then, I have been a dedicated student and advocate of Zcash. I am deeply interested in the philosophy behind the project, as well as its practical use by everyday people in their daily lives, a fundamental part of its mission. I am very active on X, where I share analyses and insights about Zcash. In 2024, with the support of Zcash en Español, I founded the Zcash Querétaro Club in Mexico. There, I teach individuals who are new to cryptocurrencies how to use Zcash, screen documentaries on the history of money and privacy, and introduce them to essential privacy tools such as Signal, ProtonMail, Brave, and others. I consider myself a critical and pragmatic thinker with strong synthesis skills and a solid work ethic.
For many years, prominent investors and public figures such as Naval, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Grayscale, Balaji, and others have publicly endorsed Zcash (ZEC) and highlighted the critical importance of privacy. Therefore, the previous period of stagnation in adoption was not due to a lack of institutional or high-profile support. Even influential voices like Mert publicly supported Zcash for a time without a corresponding rise in price. Last year’s price surge coincided with the integration of tools such as Flexa, Keystone, and Near Intents into user-friendly, Zcash-native wallets like Zodl. To me, this is a very clear signal of where Zcash currently stands and the direction we should prioritize. In summary, Zcash enjoys the backing of important figures and a committed community that understands the project’s true significance. However, it needs the right tools and resources to unlock its full potential in a secure manner. Zcash has reached a stage where adoption increasingly depends on delivering an excellent user experience, especially as greater awareness grows around the importance of privacy for everyone.
The recent Orchard vulnerability, which was successfully resolved, further underscores the need to always prioritize security. Fortunately, several teams — including Zodl, Shielded Labs, the ZF, and ZCG itself — are actively working in this area. I believe it is essential to continue and deepen these efforts. I once read that when it comes to security, one must think like a minister of defense: always anticipating the worst-case scenario and preparing accordingly.
I am a committed Zcash supporter with a solid, above-average understanding of the project. From an idealistic standpoint, I believe a better world is possible, and that world needs Zcash for the freedoms it unlocks. From a more realistic perspective, I understand how challenging it is to drive mass adoption of tools like Zcash and to advance the necessary technology and security developments. I want to join ZCG to help Zcash improve, move forward, and get closer to widespread adoption, all while staying true to its core mission.
I want to clarify that the Zcash Querétaro Club receives a small amount of funding from Zcash en Español (a grant recipient) to hold each meetup. Therefore, if elected, I would not be able to participate in any processes involving that team. Additionally, while English is not my native language, I plan to apply the same approach and tools used by Aktor, a current committee member, which allow him to participate effectively and fulfill his responsibilities. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have, and I will be happy to answer them.
