Zcash Dev Team Quits ECC, Sets Up Independent Company

Crypto News Cryptocurrencies

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: January 08, 2026

Key Takeaways

The Zcash development team left Electric Coin Company and Bootstrap after disputes with the nonprofit’s board;
CEO Josh Swihart said the split followed changes to employment terms that prevented the team from working effectively;
Former CEO Zooko Wilcox supported the Bootstrap board and confirmed that the Zcash network will keep running normally.

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Zcash Dev Team Quits ECC, Sets Up Independent Company

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The team behind Zcash ZEC $434.22 has left Electric Coin Company (ECC) and its supporting nonprofit, Bootstrap.

CEO Josh Swihart confirmed that the entire group plans to form a new company to continue advancing Zcash’s goals.

Swihart explained that disagreements had grown between ECC and several Bootstrap board members, Zaki Manian, Christina Garman, Alan Fairless, and Michelle Lai.

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He added that the split came after changes to employment terms that made it difficult for the ECC staff to continue their work.

Swihart said:

Yesterday, the entire ECC team left. The terms of our employment were changed in ways that made it impossible for us to perform our duties effectively and with integrity.

According to him, the decision was to protect the team’s independence and stay true to Zcash’s original purpose. Despite the separation, Swihart noted that the Zcash protocol itself remains stable.

Former ECC CEO Zooko Wilcox, who stepped down in 2023, defended the Bootstrap board in a post on X. He said he had known the board members for years and considered them trustworthy.

Wilcox wrote, "I've worked closely with Alan Fairless, Zaki Manian, and Christina Garman for more than 10 years, and with Michelle Lai for about 5 years".

Wilcox also reassured the Zcash community that the cryptocurrency would continue operating as usual.

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