Zcash History Through Zcon https://watchz.cash/c/zcon_history/videos Zcash History Through Zcon is a curated collection of 40 presentations documenting Zcash’s first 10 years through the Zcon archive. The channel brings together talks on Zcash’s cryptographic origins, protocol development, privacy, security, governance, human rights, wallets, community, regulation, scalability, and the ideas and debates that shaped the project over time. It includes Zk Av Club’s Top 25 Most Important Zcon Videos and the expanded Top 40, researched and curated in 2026 for Zcash’s 10th birthday. The goal is to make some of the most important moments in Zcon history easier to find, watch, study, and reuse. Curated and archived by Zk Av Club. Historic Zcon footage was produced by the Zcash Foundation and is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:50:46 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://watchz.cash Zcash History Through Zcon https://watchz.cash/lazy-static/avatars/d9835cea-0da7-47f5-8d2b-16ab7ff35c55.png https://watchz.cash/c/zcon_history/videos All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://watchz.cash/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder. https://watchz.cash/feeds/podcast/videos.xml?videoChannelId=11 <![CDATA[From Zerocoin To Zcash at Zcon0 (2018) by Matthew Green]]> https://watchz.cash/w/sTcARPywtxM8QS7VCdkcMf https://watchz.cash/w/sTcARPywtxM8QS7VCdkcMf Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:15:02 GMT Matthew Green presents the history of electronic cash and the scientists whose work with zero-knowledge proofs led to the creation of Zcash, the problem with Bitcoin's transparency and where Zcash might go in the near future.

Live at Zcon0 - Privacy: From A to Zcon (2018)
Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada

00:00 Intro
02:02 A short history of electronic cash
05:16 Bitcoin and its privacy problem
08:05 Zerocoin and zero-knowledge proofs
10:35 Zerocash and zkSNARKs
12:57 Zooko and the Zcash Company
14:30 The future of Zcash, maybe
17:08 Outro

#zcash #zcon #crypto #privacy #blockchain #zeroknowledge

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult From Zerocoin To Zcash at Zcon0 (2018) by Matthew Green Matthew Green presents the history of electronic cash and the scientists whose work with zero-knowledge proofs led to the creation of Zcash, the problem with Bitcoin's transparency and where Zcash might go in the near future. Live at Zcon0 - Priv... <![CDATA[The Orchard Shielded Pool, feat. Halo2: #Zcon2Lite]]> https://watchz.cash/w/aMb2shbEE1n23QgBaNq2LH https://watchz.cash/w/aMb2shbEE1n23QgBaNq2LH Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:56 GMT NU5 brings the third shielded pool, Orchard, to the Zcash protocol. Orchard is similar in a lot of ways to Sapling, but for some very important differences: the new Halo 2 recursive zk-SNARK proof system, based on new cyclic curves Pallas and Vesta; Actions instead of Spends or Outputs; and more. This session will lay out what Orchard brings to Zcash, how it differs from Sapling, and how Halo 2 removes the trusted setup for parameters and sets up Zcash for using recursive proofs in future upgrades.

Speakers:

  • Sean Bowe is a cryptographic engineer and researcher who has implemented, designed and discovered state-of-the-art cryptographic primitives and techniques, particularly focused on SNARKs and recursive proofs. His main focus is on building and improving Zcash's shielded protocol. Twitter @ebfull

  • Daira Hopwood is an anarchist, cryptographer, ZIP editor, and the lead author of the Zcash Protocol Specification. Ze has been heavily involved in the design of the shielded protocols used in Zcash since before launch. Twitter @feministPLT

  • Deirdre Connolly is a cryptographic engineer and the senior engineer on Zebra, working at the Zcash Foundation since spring 2019. When not trying to deploy secure, resilient, and respectful cryptographic systems, she is keeping one eye on the quantum-safe cryptosystems of the future. Twitter @durumcrustulum

Look for us on Twitter #Zcon2Lite

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult The Orchard Shielded Pool, feat. Halo2: #Zcon2Lite NU5 brings the third shielded pool, Orchard, to the Zcash protocol. Orchard is similar in a lot of ways to Sapling, but for some very important differences: the new Halo 2 recursive zk-SNARK proof system, based on new cyclic curves Pallas and Vest... <![CDATA[A History of Zcash at Zcon0 (2018) by Nathan Wilcox]]> https://watchz.cash/w/v44GPTxX4pbxf8Eaner31Z https://watchz.cash/w/v44GPTxX4pbxf8Eaner31Z Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:50 GMT Nathan Wilcox tells the story of Zcash's first few years, Sprout, Overwinter, Sapling and the funnest bugs discovered and fixed in that process.

Live at Zcon0 - Privacy: From A to Zcon (2018)
Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada

00:00 Intro
00:38 Birth of Zcash
02:52 Convergence at Real World Crypto
03:47 Zcash 1.0 "Sprout"
05:07 Zcash "Overwinter" Series
05:52 The path to Zcash "Sapling"
06:51 The Funnest Bugs
14:50 Parting thoughts on the future of Zcash security

#zcash #zcon #crypto #privacy #blockchain #zeroknowledge #security

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult A History of Zcash at Zcon0 (2018) by Nathan Wilcox Nathan Wilcox tells the story of Zcash's first few years, Sprout, Overwinter, Sapling and the funnest bugs discovered and fixed in that process. Live at Zcon0 - Privacy: From A to Zcon (2018) Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada 00... <![CDATA[Cultivating Sapling at Zcon0 (2018) by Sean Bowe]]> https://watchz.cash/w/oKyDdGLs4vZkrExUepPp6J https://watchz.cash/w/oKyDdGLs4vZkrExUepPp6J Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:42 GMT Sean Bowe gives an overview of Zcash "Sapling" detailing changes to the elliptical curves, zk-SNARK proving system, parameter generation and the breakthrough performance improvements that were included with the upgrade.

Live at Zcon0 (2018) Privacy: From A to Zcon
Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada

00:00 Introduction
02:17 Zcash payment addresses and transactions
04:24 Privacy by default
05:40 Zcash Network Upgrade "Sapling"
06:37 BLS12-381: A new pairing-friendly curve
08:19 Groth-16 zk-SNARK proving system
09:00 Powers of Tau and Sapling multi-party computation (MPC)
10:51 Sapling upgrade summary
11:35 Overview of Zerocash
12:49 Jubjub embedded elliptic curve
14:14 Sapling addresses and viewing keys
15:30 Split circuit design of Sapling
16:08 Groundbreaking performance improvements
17:43 Sapling engineering summary

#zcash #zcon #crypto #privacy #blockchain #zeroknowledge #cryptography

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Cultivating Sapling at Zcon0 (2018) by Sean Bowe Sean Bowe gives an overview of Zcash "Sapling" detailing changes to the elliptical curves, zk-SNARK proving system, parameter generation and the breakthrough performance improvements that were included with the upgrade. Live at Zcon0 (2018) Priv... <![CDATA[Empirical Analysis of the Zcash Blockchain at Zcon0 (2018) by Mary Maller]]> https://watchz.cash/w/32fGNsctZc2PtQssTerEDD https://watchz.cash/w/32fGNsctZc2PtQssTerEDD Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:36 GMT Mary Maller discusses the different types of transactions in Zcash and their levels of privacy, examining the interactions with the Shielded Pool and the behavior of users. She uses heuristics to analyze blockchain data and identifies transaction patterns, some of which reveal user information.

Live at Zcon0 (2018) Privacy: From A to Zcon
Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada

00:00 Public and Private Zcash Transactions
02:26 Zcash Blockchain Statistics (data from 02.2018)
03:28 Privacy of Miners and Founders (data from 02.2018)
05:05 Interactions with the Shielded Pool
06:26 Identifying Founders
07:27 Identifying Miners
08:29 Identifying other users
09:20 Case Study: The Shadow Brokers
10:33 Recommendations to Users and Developers

#zcash #zcon #crypto #privacy #blockchain #zeroknowledge #anonymity

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Empirical Analysis of the Zcash Blockchain at Zcon0 (2018) by Mary Maller Mary Maller discusses the different types of transactions in Zcash and their levels of privacy, examining the interactions with the Shielded Pool and the behavior of users. She uses heuristics to analyze blockchain data and identifies transaction ... <![CDATA[State of the Network Keynote at Zcon0 (2018) by Zooko Wilcox]]> https://watchz.cash/w/ksKLG3skgyQ2obX5QYhFAe https://watchz.cash/w/ksKLG3skgyQ2obX5QYhFAe Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:32 GMT Zooko Wilcox talks about Zcash network upgrades Overwinter and Sapling, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) approval of Zcash including shielded addresses, Zcash Company finances and the proposed roadmap for the next two years.

Live at Zcon0 - Privacy From A to Zcon (2018)
Presented by @zcashfoundation in Montreal, Canada

00:00 Introduction
01:50 Network Upgrade Overwinter
03:04 The consensual decentralized governance process
05:13 Zcash Sapling
06:08 Educating regulators about user-protecting technology
07:22 Zcash approved by New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS)
08:14 Zcash Company mid-2018 finances exposed
11:47 Open questions that need to be addressed by the community
12:28 Roadmap for Zcash useability and adoption
14:08 How should the development of Zcash be funded after the Founders Reward?
14:31 Decentralization of Zcash governance

#zcash #zcon #crypto #privacy #blockchain #governance

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult State of the Network Keynote at Zcon0 (2018) by Zooko Wilcox Zooko Wilcox talks about Zcash network upgrades Overwinter and Sapling, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) approval of Zcash including shielded addresses, Zcash Company finances and the proposed roadmap for the next two ye... <![CDATA[Zcon1 Opening Keynote - Andrew Miller]]> https://watchz.cash/w/csdTUMGMCykWLqsD776FVm https://watchz.cash/w/csdTUMGMCykWLqsD776FVm Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:27 GMT Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 1
Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Zcon1 Opening Keynote - Andrew Miller Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 1 Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia <![CDATA[Explaining the Security of Zcash - Daira Hopwood at Zcon3]]> https://watchz.cash/w/75v9CwTiQrRqag3nEXpdvC https://watchz.cash/w/75v9CwTiQrRqag3nEXpdvC Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:19 GMT This talk is a deep dive into the security properties of the Zcash protocol and the cryptographic assumptions they depend on, in both classical and post-quantum settings. It aims to give an intuitive but detailed explanation of why Zcash is private, maintains balance, and enforces spend authorization.

Presentation Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16KOeODZFGTPUN8sqjcKZ4cQqGceFRzkw/view?usp=sharing

Speaker:

  • Daira Hopwood is a cryptographic engineer with the Electric Coin Company. Ze contributed to the design of the Sprout, Sapling, and Orchard shielded protocols, designed the Pasta curves, and is a ZIP Editor and the lead author of the Zcash protocol specification. Ze is an activist for trans and disabled rights. Twitter: @feministPLT

Livestream and video production support from Zcash Media and Ryan Taylor

Zcon3: Code alone doesn't cut it
Day 3 - Tuesday August 9, 2022
Presented by the Zcash Foundation
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Explaining the Security of Zcash - Daira Hopwood at Zcon3 This talk is a deep dive into the security properties of the Zcash protocol and the cryptographic assumptions they depend on, in both classical and post-quantum settings. It aims to give an intuitive but detailed explanation of why Zcash is privat... <![CDATA[The State of Privacy in Cryptocurrencies - Ian Miers]]> https://watchz.cash/w/21qa2XQiqGkM142o6K16P3 https://watchz.cash/w/21qa2XQiqGkM142o6K16P3 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:10 GMT Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 1
Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult The State of Privacy in Cryptocurrencies - Ian Miers Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 1 Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia <![CDATA[FROST: #Zcon2Lite]]> https://watchz.cash/w/g3dDQaErGq1RESnhgkkFiV https://watchz.cash/w/g3dDQaErGq1RESnhgkkFiV Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:06 GMT In this talk, we will introduce FROST and the motivations for its design. We will review the security model under which FROST is secure, and how this security model compares to practical deployments of threshold signatures. We will discuss how FROST is compatible with existing Schnorr-based schemes, as well as next steps for FROST to be deployed in Zcash.

Speaker:

  • Chelsea Komlo is a cryptography and privacy researcher. Currently, she is a member of the Cryptography, Security, and Privacy lab at the University of Waterloo, and also working as a principal researcher for the Zcash Foundation. She is also a member of the Tor Project Board of Directors and the Tor Research Safety Board. Twitter @chelseakomlo

Look for us on Twitter #Zcon2Lite

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult FROST: #Zcon2Lite In this talk, we will introduce FROST and the motivations for its design. We will review the security model under which FROST is secure, and how this security model compares to practical deployments of threshold signatures. We will discuss how FRO... <![CDATA[State of Electric Coin Company - Zooko Wilcox]]> https://watchz.cash/w/m1ecTdZDGDAzjL9xrPyg9r https://watchz.cash/w/m1ecTdZDGDAzjL9xrPyg9r Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:14:01 GMT Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 3
Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult State of Electric Coin Company - Zooko Wilcox Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 3 Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia <![CDATA[Money at the Edge: How PeopleStay Afloat in Venezuela - Alejandro Machado]]> https://watchz.cash/w/phnCnUUs8RzkgawZqxmjMj https://watchz.cash/w/phnCnUUs8RzkgawZqxmjMj Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:54 GMT Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 3
Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Money at the Edge: How PeopleStay Afloat in Venezuela - Alejandro Machado Live at Zcon1: Zero to Privacy Hero - Day 3 Presented by Zcash Foundation in Split, Croatia <![CDATA[Getting to Gilead: From Surveillance to Control by Michelle Lai: Zcon4]]> https://watchz.cash/w/aUi9G7QdC77izXEsSQq6a2 https://watchz.cash/w/aUi9G7QdC77izXEsSQq6a2 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:48 GMT How have expectations of privacy in financial transactions changed in the last few decades, as we went from cash to card to digital to crypto? We will go through a brief history of financial surveillance, covering defining moments that shape our relationship with Big Brother today (e.g. 9/11).

Then, we look forward, plotting a path from today to the futures depicted in fictional dystopias. We focus on the country of Gilead in Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale [author's note: they may add other references]. How did women so entirely lose control of their lives? What tools of surveillance were employed, and how did women eventually lose their financial autonomy?

Michelle Lai is builder and investor in crypto. She is also a strong privacy advocate, believing that crypto/blockchain are essential tools for free societies in our technocractic future. She has worked with Anchorage, Bitpay, and Copper, served on the first Zcash grant committee, and is involved with the Universal Privacy Alliance. Prior to tech, she worked in investments in financial institutions - where, through the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, she realized ""trustless"" is better than ""trusted.""

Twitter: @michlai007

Livestream support from Zcash Media. Zcon4: The Future Has Not Been Written

Day 1 - Sunday, July 30, 2023 Presented by the Zcash Foundation Barcelona

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Getting to Gilead: From Surveillance to Control by Michelle Lai: Zcon4 How have expectations of privacy in financial transactions changed in the last few decades, as we went from cash to card to digital to crypto? We will go through a brief history of financial surveillance, covering defining moments that shape our r... <![CDATA[State of Legislation, Regulation and Policy with Paul, Kurt, Peter & Jack at Zcon3]]> https://watchz.cash/w/e25TKkQjY6E9WNyxyj9Yot https://watchz.cash/w/e25TKkQjY6E9WNyxyj9Yot Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:38 GMT A panel discussion on the state of legislation, regulation and policy affecting Zcash, and what role the Zcash community can play in influencing decision-makers to support Zcash's goals.

Panelists:

  • Paul Brigner (@paulbrigner) is the Head of U.S. Public Policy and Strategic Advocacy at Electric Coin Co. Twitter: paulbrigner

  • Peter Van Valkenburgh (@valkenburgh) is a board member of the Zcash Foundation and Director of Research at Coin Center, the leading non-profit research and advocacy group focused on the public policy issues facing cryptocurrency technologies such as Bitcoin. He is a graduate of NYU Law, as well as a self-taught web developer. He drafts the Center’s public regulatory comments, and helps shape its research agenda. He has testified before Congress, briefed staff and members of the EU parliament, and educated policymakers and regulatory staff around the world on the subject of cryptocurrency regulation and decentralized computing systems. Twitter: valkenburgh

  • Kurt Opsahl (@KurtOpsahl) is the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. In addition to representing clients on civil liberties, free speech and privacy law, Opsahl counsels on EFF projects and initiatives, and is the lead attorney on the Coders' Right Project. Before joining EFF, Opsahl worked at Perkins Coie, where he represented technology clients with respect to intellectual property, privacy, defamation, and other online liability matters. Prior to Perkins, Opsahl was a research fellow to Professor Pamela Samuelson at the U.C. Berkeley School of Information Management & Systems. Opsahl co-authored "Electronic media and Privacy Law Handbook." In 2007, Opsahl was named as one of the "Attorneys of the year" by California lawyer magazine. From 2014 to 2022, Opsahl served on the USENIX Board of Directors. Opsahl is a member of the Filecoin Foundation Advisory Board and the CISA Cybersecurity Advisory Committee's Technical Advisory Council. Twitter: kurtopsahl

Session Chair:

  • Jack Gavigan (@Dodger) has a background in financial technology, with over ten years’ working with major financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley, where he also spent a year as a trader. He joined Team Zcash in early 2016, as an advisor to the Electric Coin Company (ECC), and subsequently joined the company full-time, serving in a number of roles, including COO and Head of Regulatory Relations. He left ECC in early 2021 to become Executive Director of the Zcash Foundation. Twitter: @JackGavigan

Livestream and video production support from Zcash Media and Ryan Taylor

Zcon3: Code alone doesn't cut it
Day 1 - Sunday August 7, 2022
Presented by the Zcash Foundation
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult State of Legislation, Regulation and Policy with Paul, Kurt, Peter & Jack at Zcon3 A panel discussion on the state of legislation, regulation and policy affecting Zcash, and what role the Zcash community can play in influencing decision-makers to support Zcash's goals. Panelists: Paul Brigner (@paulbrigner) is the Head of ... <![CDATA[Zebra Update - Teor at Zcon3]]> https://watchz.cash/w/iKu8dVboZzVXHakT4qp1At https://watchz.cash/w/iKu8dVboZzVXHakT4qp1At Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:27 GMT Zebra is the Zcash Foundation’s independent node implementation, currently under development in Rust. Teor provides an update on the progress we’ve made over the past year, as we continue to add more functionality, bringing Zebra closer to parity with zcashd.

Presentation link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zYeKhh8qn5z6sC5aRzp98iVmaHGvR4s6/view?usp=sharing

Speaker:

  • Teor is a privacy researcher and software developer living and working on Turrbal and Jagera country. They develop and analyze secure and anonymous software, with a focus on financial transactions, network privacy, and electronic voting. They have worked for the Zcash Foundation since 2020, they are currently the Zebra team lead. They previously worked as a Tor developer and researcher.

Livestream and video production support from Zcash Media and Ryan Taylor.

Zcon3: Code alone doesn't cut it
Day 1 - Sunday August 7, 2022
Presented by the Zcash Foundation
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Zebra Update - Teor at Zcon3 Zebra is the Zcash Foundation’s independent node implementation, currently under development in Rust. Teor provides an update on the progress we’ve made over the past year, as we continue to add more functionality, bringing Zebra closer to parity ... <![CDATA[Network Privacy: #Zcon2Lite]]> https://watchz.cash/w/5dExwsz6iuU1wcAmBwxpW2 https://watchz.cash/w/5dExwsz6iuU1wcAmBwxpW2 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:19 GMT Shielded Zcash provides excellent privacy from chain analysis, but what are the risks from network and traffic analysis? Our panelists will consider the treat model, examine solutions that do and don't work, and how the tech might evolve.

Panelists:

  • Giulia Fanti is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research interests span the security, privacy, and efficiency of distributed systems. Twitter @giuliacfanti

  • George Kadianakis has been working for a long time on Tor, designing and implementing secure protocols using applied cryptography. Twitter @asn_d6

  • Janito Vaqueiro is a privacy and cryptocurrency enthusiast that has recently joined the Zcash foundation, and previously worked at Mullvad VPN

Moderator:

  • Alan Fairless is a hacker, founder, and privacy UX enthusiast ⓩ🛡 . Twitter @alanfairless

Look for us on Twitter #Zcon2Lite

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Network Privacy: #Zcon2Lite Shielded Zcash provides excellent privacy from chain analysis, but what are the risks from network and traffic analysis? Our panelists will consider the treat model, examine solutions that do and don't work, and how the tech might evolve. Paneli... <![CDATA[Dev Fund 2.0 / The Future of Zcash Ecosystem Funding - ZconV: Zcash Unified 2024 #Zcash #ZEC]]> https://watchz.cash/w/wkbB7CKNYRYF1KAkCYU3Bb https://watchz.cash/w/wkbB7CKNYRYF1KAkCYU3Bb Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:13:10 GMT With the end of the current Dev Fund due in November 2024, the community has been discussing whether it should be replaced with a new Dev Fund and what it should look like. This panel brings together the leaders of ECC and the Zcash Foundation, together with two community members, Noamchom and GGuy (who is also a member of the Zcash Community Grants committee), who have put forward proposals for a new Dev Fund. The panel participants will have an opportunity to share their views on the future of funding in the Zcash ecosystem and to answer questions from the community. The panel will be chaired by Peter van Valkenburgh, director of research at Coin Center, and Zcash Foundation board member.

Forum Discussion on Moving the Dev Fund discussion forward: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/moving-the-dev-fund-discussion-forward/47464

Technical Level: Basic

Timestamps:
0:00 Intros
12:13 Ecosystem processes and mechanisms
24:21 Trademark agreement
37:14 Dev Fund models
1:08:26 Does a grant model drive better outcomes?
1:29:47 Building during the next epoch

Panel Chair:
-Peter Van Valkenburgh is a board member of the Zcash Foundation and Director of Research at Coin Center, the leading non-profit research and advocacy group focused on the public policy issues facing cryptocurrency technologies such as Bitcoin. He is a graduate of NYU Law, as well as a self-taught web developer. He drafts the Center’s public regulatory comments, and helps shape its research agenda. He has testified before Congress, briefed staff and members of the EU parliament, and educated policymakers and regulatory staff around the world on the subject of cryptocurrency regulation and decentralized computing systems. Twitter: @valkenburgh

Panelists:
-GGuy is an active member of the Zcash community and serves on the Zcash Community Grants Committee. He is dedicated to promoting the funding of innovative projects within the Zcash ecosystem. His advocacy extends beyond his committee role, contributing to broader discussions on governance and funding models within the Zcash ecosystem. Twitter: @babygguy

-NoamChom is a Senior Software Test Engineer by day, initiated into Bitcoin/ Crypto 2013 and haven’t left yet, Activist Investor, World Traveler, Father, and Husband.

-Josh Swihart is CEO at Electric Coin Co. (ECC). Prior to ECC, he served as the SVP of Global Marketing for K2, leading global growth from start-up to acquisition by Francisco Partners. He began his career as software engineer and has served as a global practice principal for EMC, the CEO of Aspenware, and VP of software development for 3t Systems. Josh has received numerous global and national awards for leadership, marketing and solution delivery. He is an advocate for underserved and/or exploited people all over the world, most actively with those living in the slums of Mumbai and Pune, India. Twitter: @jswihart

-Jack Gavigan has a background in financial technology, with over ten years’ working with major financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley, where he also spent a year as a trader. He joined Team Zcash in early 2016, as an advisor to the Electric Coin Company (ECC), and subsequently joined the company full-time, serving in a number of roles, including COO and Head of Regulatory Relations. He left ECC in early 2021 to become Executive Director of the Zcash Foundation. Twitter: @JackGavigan

Livestream and video production support from Ryan Taylor and AV Club

Zcon 5 - ZconV - Zcash: Unified
Zcash conference 2024 May 6-10
#zcash #crypto #cryptocurrency #cryptography #cryptonews #blockchain #blockchaintechnology #cryptocurrencies #cryptocommunity

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Dev Fund 2.0 / The Future of Zcash Ecosystem Funding - ZconV: Zcash Unified 2024 #Zcash #ZEC With the end of the current Dev Fund due in November 2024, the community has been discussing whether it should be replaced with a new Dev Fund and what it should look like. This panel brings together the leaders of ECC and the Zcash Foundation, to... <![CDATA[Zashi: A Year in Review & Roadmap with Andrea Kobrlova and Josh Swihart - ZconVI #zcash]]> https://watchz.cash/w/3zroB2uNPRdUP8HRH2fJbL https://watchz.cash/w/3zroB2uNPRdUP8HRH2fJbL Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:12:57 GMT This talk will be about 2024 review of ECC's progress in building Zashi, a Zcash mobile wallet platform for private payments. I will provide an overview of what we shipped in 2024, how it was received by users, and how it impacted Zashi and Zcash adoption. I will also talk about our plans for 2025 and beyond, things we have committed to work on this year, and our future goals & aspirations.

Zashi: Zcash Wallet on Apple: https://apps.apple.com/es/app/zashi-zcash-wallet/
Zashi: Zcash Wallet on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.electriccoin.zcash
Zashi: Zcash Wallet on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/co.electriccoin.zcash.foss/

Technical Level: Basic

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:15 Zashi: The Path Ahead
02:01 Zashi Download QR Codes
02:41 Agenda
02:58 Evolution of Money
06:05 Adoption of Shielded Zcash
09:00 The Vision for Zashi
13:30 Zashi Vault
17:25 Next Steps for Zashi Vault
17:50 Zashi: A Year in Review and Roadmap
18:52 Zashi 2024 Milestones
22:03 Delivering Products that Drive Adoption
22:47 Coinbase Onramp
23:27 Flexa Integration
25:33 Keystone Hardware Wallet
26:49 Zashi Impact on the Shielded Pool
27:28 Zcash Net Promoter Score
29:26 UX Improvements
30:35 Team Hires
31:54 Team Processes
33:25 User-Driven Iterative Development
34:47 Android Stats
35:25 iOS Stats
36:10 Zashi in 2025
36:20 Q1 2025 Progress
37:30 2025 Priorities
39:30 Zashi 1.4 Release
41:17 Questions

Speakers:

  • Josh Swihart is the CEO of the Electric Coin Company and ED of Bootstrap. He was previously the CEO and an owner at Aspenware (exit to Aspen Ski Company and Alterra Resorts). He has also served as the SVP of Global Marketing for K2 (exit to Francisco Partners), a global practice principle for the Interlink Group (exits to EMC and TPG), and co-founder and VP of software development for 3t Systems. X: @jswihart

  • Andrea Kobrlova is a passionate product builder from the Czech Republic, the land of the freedom fighter Vaclav Havel. In 2018 she joined a blockchain startup incubator and her first crypto startup focused on building tools for crypto traders, and experimenting with AI and machine learning for bitcoin price prediction. Since then she has participated in building an ASMR marketplace, or a cybersecurity product for email data loss prevention. Her last startup, a mobile app for couples which she fully developed with a small team, was acquired by Bumble, Inc. She is a mission-driven hustler who loves to learn and grow with any team she joins. Andrea joined the ECC team full-time in February 2024, and since then she is product/project managing the development of the Zashi wallet. X: @andrea_kob

*This session was curated by the Electric Coin Co.

Livestream and video production support from Perrow Productions

Zcon 6 - ZconVI - Synergy Through Decentralization
Zcash conference 2025 March 4-7

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Zashi: A Year in Review & Roadmap with Andrea Kobrlova and Josh Swihart - ZconVI #zcash This talk will be about 2024 review of ECC's progress in building Zashi, a Zcash mobile wallet platform for private payments. I will provide an overview of what we shipped in 2024, how it was received by users, and how it impacted Zashi and Zcash ... <![CDATA[Protecting Civil Liberties With Privacy-Enhancing Technology - Kurt Opsahl at Zcon3]]> https://watchz.cash/w/nhUChGAXxAUeNBpowdSwjK https://watchz.cash/w/nhUChGAXxAUeNBpowdSwjK Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:12:42 GMT The importance of protecting and preserving civil liberties through technologies, and the "why" behind financial privacy- the fundamental rights at issue, including avoiding financial censorship and the keeping the power of existing centralized hubs in check. Kurt discusses the broader civil liberties context, not just privacy, but free expression (code is speech), due process for government inquiries, and the value of anonymity in effectuating those rights. He also talks about how the Zcash community can help protect these rights, with lessons from his work in digital rights advocacy, by learning the issues, building grassroots support and having their voices heard.

Presentation Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nHaAOfwBY8bHeQfmLGsmpsjECgevdld2/view?usp=sharing

Speaker:

  • Kurt Opsahl is the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. In addition to representing clients on civil liberties, free speech and privacy law, Opsahl counsels on EFF projects and initiatives, and is the lead attorney on the Coders' Right Project. Before joining EFF, Opsahl worked at Perkins Coie, where he represented technology clients with respect to intellectual property, privacy, defamation, and other online liability matters. Prior to Perkins, Opsahl was a research fellow to Professor Pamela Samuelson at the U.C. Berkeley School of Information Management & Systems. Opsahl co-authored "Electronic media and Privacy Law Handbook." In 2007, Opsahl was named as one of the "Attorneys of the year" by California lawyer magazine. From 2014 to 2022, Opsahl served on the USENIX Board of Directors. Opsahl is a member of the Filecoin Foundation Advisory Board and the CISA Cybersecurity Advisory Committee's Technical Advisory Council. Twitter: @kurtopsahl

Livestream and video production support from Zcash Media and Ryan Taylor

Zcon3: Code alone doesn't cut it
Day 1 - Sunday August 7, 2022
Presented by the Zcash Foundation
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Protecting Civil Liberties With Privacy-Enhancing Technology - Kurt Opsahl at Zcon3 The importance of protecting and preserving civil liberties through technologies, and the "why" behind financial privacy- the fundamental rights at issue, including avoiding financial censorship and the keeping the power of existing centralized hu... <![CDATA[Post-Quantum Zcash with Daira-Emma Hopwood - ZconVI #zcash]]> https://watchz.cash/w/mbwnAxUG1eaCYxibcBL3Ln https://watchz.cash/w/mbwnAxUG1eaCYxibcBL3Ln Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:12:28 GMT It's looking like quantum computers may be a serious risk to public-key cryptography. The current design of Zcash is potentially vulnerable, for both privacy and integrity, to quantum attacks. Daira-Emma will describe how to fix it and what performance, bandwidth, and engineering trade-offs are likely to be necessary. This talk aims to get into some of the technical detail without assuming much prior knowledge of post-quantum cryptography.

Technical Level: Advanced

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:00 A better answer to the "what is a quantum computer" question
04:03 Potential problems quantum computers can solve
08:58 Simplified quantum theory
14:28 Quantum interpretations
15:34 Cryptographically relevant quantum computers
19:11 Zcash potentially vulnerable cryptography
21:53 Encryption and addresses
27:31 Proving systems
30:48 Signatures
34:12 Size of addresses
39:08 Short-term actions and message apps
44:32 What’s next? Call to action
46:13 Questions and Answers

Speaker:

  • Daira-Emma is the R&D Engineering Manager for ECC, lead author of the Zcash protocol spec, and co-designer of the Zcash shielded protocols, the Halo 2 proof system, and the SPHINCS post-quantum signature scheme. Ze is also an activist for trans and disabled rights and an organiser of Manchester Trans Pride. Bluesky: @daira

*This session was curated by the Electric Coin Co.

Livestream and video production support from Perrow Productions

Zcon 6 - ZconVI - Synergy Through Decentralization
Zcash conference 2025 March 4-7

]]> Zcash History Through Zcon Science & Technology nonadult Post-Quantum Zcash with Daira-Emma Hopwood - ZconVI #zcash It's looking like quantum computers may be a serious risk to public-key cryptography. The current design of Zcash is potentially vulnerable, for both privacy and integrity, to quantum attacks. Daira-Emma will describe how to fix it and what perfor...