Zcash Community Grants Committee Google Meet Meeting: July 21, 2025
[Minutes taken by FPF]
Attendance:
- Artkor
- DecentralistDan
- GGuy
- Jason (Did not attend, provided notes and voted async)
- Zerodartz
- Alex (FPF resource, notetaker)
Key Takeaways:
- Open Grants
- Centi and ZSAs
- Rejected.
- Privacy Executive Roundable
- Rejected.
- Qedit: Legal & Compliance Risks
- Approved.
- Multifactor: MFKDF2
- Discussions continue.
- Shielded Integration for Cross-Chain Non-Custodial
- Rejected.
- PGP For Crypto Events
- Too early to vote.
- Centi and ZSAs
Open Grant Proposals
- Centi and ZSAs
- Centi Ltd proposes a transformative integration of Zcash (ZEC) and Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSA) into its established, compliance-ready financial platform serving 25,000+ users and 500+ merchants across Europe and Africa. This 7-month project will deliver the first regulatory-compliant, commercial-scale deployment of privacy-preserving payments in one of the world’s strictest financial jurisdictions. Key deliverables include a Zcash Wallet Proxy, full point-of-sale merchant integration, remittance network functionality, and the launch of a Swiss Franc–pegged ZSA stablecoin (CCHF). By embedding ZEC and ZSA into Centi’s consumer and merchant interfaces, this project establishes Zcash as a real-world cross-border payment solution, drives mainstream adoption, and creates a replicable model for institutional integration worldwide. They are asking for $350,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- Artkor: I reject this grant because in my opinion the freedom to use stablecoins should be much broader when in this proposal in its current form it’s more like a digital promissory note denominated in Swiss Francs. I believe with this community it would be more reasonable to use the same based stablecoin formats that do not require issuers on the Zcash network but still allow stablecoins from other networks to be transferred into ours via digitalized protocols. In my opinion this would be more inline with the spirit of Zcash which we promote on our social media channels and I’m sure what closer to the launch of ZSAs ideas will appear in the community.
- Zerodartz: My main problem is also that it’s not a dollar based stable coin and I reject it.
- DecentralistDan: I agree with the sentiment shared by Arkor & zerodartz. I think it is not the best fit or timing for this grant.
- Jason and Gguy: Both reject.
- Rejected.
- Centi Ltd proposes a transformative integration of Zcash (ZEC) and Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSA) into its established, compliance-ready financial platform serving 25,000+ users and 500+ merchants across Europe and Africa. This 7-month project will deliver the first regulatory-compliant, commercial-scale deployment of privacy-preserving payments in one of the world’s strictest financial jurisdictions. Key deliverables include a Zcash Wallet Proxy, full point-of-sale merchant integration, remittance network functionality, and the launch of a Swiss Franc–pegged ZSA stablecoin (CCHF). By embedding ZEC and ZSA into Centi’s consumer and merchant interfaces, this project establishes Zcash as a real-world cross-border payment solution, drives mainstream adoption, and creates a replicable model for institutional integration worldwide. They are asking for $350,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- Privacy Executive Roundtable
- Privacy-X Executive Roundtable, proposed by Iron Fish Foundation, is a six-month pilot program designed to accelerate adoption of Zcash Shielded Assets (e.g., private USDC) by engaging C-level leaders from wallets, exchanges, AI infrastructure, and fintech companies through a curated virtual salon series. Each session includes live demos, expert speakers, and real-time exploration of integration opportunities, with public-facing deliverables such as “Privacy Pulse” briefs and short video highlights. The project also includes a micro-grant pool to fund up to five Proof-of-Concept (PoC) integrations and provides ZCG/ECC with access to all recordings, transcripts, KPIs, and participant data. A final report will assess the model’s effectiveness and offer recommendations for scaling the series in 2026. They are asking for $51,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- DecentralistDan: It’s nice to see the Iron Fish team be interested and come to the table but I don’t think this program is the right fit for Zcash. I vote to reject.
- Artkor: I vote to reject too. Based on everything we have reviewed this grant is quite expense for our budget.
- Zerodartz: It would make sense if it was in-person meetings then I would be more open to it. I reject due to the current grant size and remote approach.
- Jason and Gguy: Both reject.
- Rejected.
- Privacy-X Executive Roundtable, proposed by Iron Fish Foundation, is a six-month pilot program designed to accelerate adoption of Zcash Shielded Assets (e.g., private USDC) by engaging C-level leaders from wallets, exchanges, AI infrastructure, and fintech companies through a curated virtual salon series. Each session includes live demos, expert speakers, and real-time exploration of integration opportunities, with public-facing deliverables such as “Privacy Pulse” briefs and short video highlights. The project also includes a micro-grant pool to fund up to five Proof-of-Concept (PoC) integrations and provides ZCG/ECC with access to all recordings, transcripts, KPIs, and participant data. A final report will assess the model’s effectiveness and offer recommendations for scaling the series in 2026. They are asking for $51,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- Qedit: Legal & Compliance Risks
- Proposer is requesting grant support to engage experienced legal professionals to guide their compliance efforts as they finalize development of Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSAs). Given the growing regulatory scrutiny of privacy-focused blockchain technologies, they aim to ensure their work aligns with applicable legal frameworks. Grant funds will help cover the rising costs of working with a specialized legal team to review our technical approach, evaluate potential regulatory impacts, and provide informed guidance as we prepare ZSAs for integration into the Zcash protocol. Requestor is asking for $95,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- DecentralistDan: I approve.
- Artkor: I approve this proposal and I hope it will bring us closer to implementing ZSAs.
- Zerodartz: I understand that legal stuff needs money although I would have expected we won’t have these types of costs anymore because we’re so close to ZSAs being implemented. But, as it’s needed, I approve.
- Jason and Gguy: Both approved.
- Approved.
- Proposer is requesting grant support to engage experienced legal professionals to guide their compliance efforts as they finalize development of Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSAs). Given the growing regulatory scrutiny of privacy-focused blockchain technologies, they aim to ensure their work aligns with applicable legal frameworks. Grant funds will help cover the rising costs of working with a specialized legal team to review our technical approach, evaluate potential regulatory impacts, and provide informed guidance as we prepare ZSAs for integration into the Zcash protocol. Requestor is asking for $95,000. ZCG members were asked to provide their feedback and vote.
- Multifactor: MFKDF2
- MFKDF2 is an innovative open-source cryptographic project that builds upon the original Multi-Factor Key Derivation Function (MFKDF) to deliver significantly more secure and user-friendly key management for the Web3 ecosystem. Unlike traditional password-based key derivation functions (PBKDFs), MFKDF2 incorporates additional authentication factors—such as TOTP, HOTP, and hardware tokens like YubiKeys—directly into the key derivation process. This approach enables the creation of non-custodial wallets that offer the seamless user experience of custodial solutions while providing exponential security improvements. With support for threshold-based recovery policies and flexible key composition, MFKDF2 represents a critical advancement toward secure, private, and highly usable crypto wallets. This grant will support the development of MFKDF2 into a production-ready, audited, and widely adoptable security primitive. Requestor is asking for $39,000.
- Gguy: I believe the value of a consumable library in this space is underestimated and believe that when the use cases become demonstrable we will see adoption of this technology within Zcash. Funding technology that improves user experiences should be prioritised. I would like to vote today to approve this grant.
- Artkor: Same I’m ready to approve today because I think it is very useful for Zcash anyway and will ultimately be implemented. I trust this team and I don’t have any problem with approval.
- (Jason requested a pause on approval to facilitate more discussion around this grant).
- Zerodartz: I’m positive about this proposal but I think waiting a few days for additional feedback won’t hurt us.
- DecentralistDan: I agree
- This grant is still pending. ZCG will discuss further this week and vote async.
- MFKDF2 is an innovative open-source cryptographic project that builds upon the original Multi-Factor Key Derivation Function (MFKDF) to deliver significantly more secure and user-friendly key management for the Web3 ecosystem. Unlike traditional password-based key derivation functions (PBKDFs), MFKDF2 incorporates additional authentication factors—such as TOTP, HOTP, and hardware tokens like YubiKeys—directly into the key derivation process. This approach enables the creation of non-custodial wallets that offer the seamless user experience of custodial solutions while providing exponential security improvements. With support for threshold-based recovery policies and flexible key composition, MFKDF2 represents a critical advancement toward secure, private, and highly usable crypto wallets. This grant will support the development of MFKDF2 into a production-ready, audited, and widely adoptable security primitive. Requestor is asking for $39,000.
- Shielded Integration for Cross-Chain Non-Custodial
- This project proposes integrating Zcash (ZEC) into two existing privacy-preserving tools—SolanaBlender and StealthXMR—to enable anonymous, non-custodial ZEC ⇄ SOL and ZEC ⇄ XMR swaps. SolanaBlender obfuscates SOL transaction history through a series of decoy hops and burn logic, while StealthXMR facilitates secure, script-based swaps between Monero (XMR) and SOL. With Zcash Community Grants support, the team aims to build privacy-preserving cross-chain infrastructure that upholds Zcash’s core values of decentralization, privacy, and financial freedom. This integration will empower users to move in and out of ZEC positions without exposing transaction details or relying on custodial services, thereby enhancing ZEC’s utility in real-world DeFi and peer-to-peer exchange use cases. Requestor is asking for $48,000.
- Unanimous rejection due to lack of community feedback/interest and the need to manage the ZCG treasury.
- This project proposes integrating Zcash (ZEC) into two existing privacy-preserving tools—SolanaBlender and StealthXMR—to enable anonymous, non-custodial ZEC ⇄ SOL and ZEC ⇄ XMR swaps. SolanaBlender obfuscates SOL transaction history through a series of decoy hops and burn logic, while StealthXMR facilitates secure, script-based swaps between Monero (XMR) and SOL. With Zcash Community Grants support, the team aims to build privacy-preserving cross-chain infrastructure that upholds Zcash’s core values of decentralization, privacy, and financial freedom. This integration will empower users to move in and out of ZEC positions without exposing transaction details or relying on custodial services, thereby enhancing ZEC’s utility in real-world DeFi and peer-to-peer exchange use cases. Requestor is asking for $48,000.
- PGP For Crypto Events
- PGP* (Pretty Good Policy) for Crypto is a monthly gathering designed to foster informed discussion and collaboration on critical cryptocurrency policy issues, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, and policy experts to delve into the complex landscape of digital asset regulation and innovation, with a special emphasis on privacy-preserving technologies as key tools in addressing financial policy challenges such as AML/KYC. Our goal is to cultivate “Pretty Good Policy” – practical, forward-thinking solutions that balance technological advancement with necessary safeguards. We seek support for meetings in September, November, and December and for the second annual DC Privacy Summit on 16 October. Requestor is asking for $20,000.
- Too early to vote.
- PGP* (Pretty Good Policy) for Crypto is a monthly gathering designed to foster informed discussion and collaboration on critical cryptocurrency policy issues, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, and policy experts to delve into the complex landscape of digital asset regulation and innovation, with a special emphasis on privacy-preserving technologies as key tools in addressing financial policy challenges such as AML/KYC. Our goal is to cultivate “Pretty Good Policy” – practical, forward-thinking solutions that balance technological advancement with necessary safeguards. We seek support for meetings in September, November, and December and for the second annual DC Privacy Summit on 16 October. Requestor is asking for $20,000.
Brainstorm Session Follow-Ups
- Pacu / DevRel Engineer
- ZCG is pleased with Pacu’s work as Ecosystem DevRel Engineer and is considering renewing his grant for another year, pending feedback from ECC, ZF, and the community.
- Roman Storm Donation
- ZCG explored whether its discretionary budget could be used to make a donation in support of Roman Storm. After reviewing the intended use of discretionary funds as outlined in ZIP 1015, it was determined that ZCG cannot use its budget for this purpose. Some ZCG members plan to contribute personally from their own holdings. ZCG encourages others in the community to support this cause as well.