Zcash in Forbes August 8, 2024

Oh dear.

First things first. I didn’t call out members of your team. There is no personal attack in that quote. If a group has not delivered, accountability sits with the leader. If ECC doesn’t deliver value for the money, it’s on me. I was hired to do a job and am accountable. Same with you. Same with our respective BoDs. Real life.

I’ve repeatedly praised the ZF team for its Zcon work, and there is no doubt Zebra and FROST, when done, will provide value.

The quote was in response to questions about why I decided to leave Zcash about a year ago. It was only one of the things that I called out, which included ECC leadership (though this is all that was quoted), and its why I’ve pushed so hard for a change in the funding model. During that time, I also recommended that you step down from ZF, so nothing new as to the reasons for my departure.

On the facts, perhaps you can correct me. How many tens of millions of dollars has ZF received since its inception in 2017? In those 7 years and with the money that we ZEC holders paid, what has been delivered and what is the ROI? My take is that I don’t see the value for money, but show me the math. You are paid by ZEC holders, not out of the goodness of our hearts, but because you were hired to do a job. If I don’t see the value, I’ll speak my mind.

Admittedly, I find this note from you a little ironic, you know, glass houses and all. For example, this same article mentions your stage-rage and treatment of Zooko at ZconIV. Was that respectful of Zooko? As the leader of ZF, how have you led community engagement well?

In the end, all of us who are paid by ZEC holders are accountable to them for outcomes. Criticism and accountability comes with the job. Blunt, yes, but this is important and expensive work.

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