Zcash Developers Launch CashZ Wallet After ECC Exit

2 mins mins

In Brief

Josh Swihart leads CashZ wallet launch using Zashi codebase for Zcash users.
CashZ allows seamless migration from Zashi, preserving user wallets and privacy.
Team exits ECC to scale Zcash with startup structure and faster development.

Former Electric Coin Company executives launched CashZ, a new wallet for Zcash, less than a day after resigning from ECC. Josh Swihart, ex-CEO of ECC, confirmed the wallet uses the existing Zashi codebase for continuity.

Swihart stated the launch will occur within weeks, and Zashi users can migrate smoothly to CashZ. He emphasized, “We aren’t launching any new coins; our focus is scaling Zcash through full-stack development.”

The launch follows a complete team resignation on January 7, 2026, after governance conflicts with ECC’s Bootstrap board. Swihart cited misalignment and restrictive nonprofit rules as key reasons for forming a new company.

We are all in on Zcash.
We need to scale Zcash to billions of users.
Startups can scale, but nonprofits can't.
That's why we created a new Zcash startup.https://t.co/ZurjfTxnPi pic.twitter.com/ksnwLewpPp
— Josh Swihart 🛡 (@jswihart) January 8, 2026

CashZ aims to provide enterprise-grade wallet functionality while maintaining Zcash’s privacy features. The developers confirmed support for wallet management, stablecoin integration, and card functionality on the Visa network.

The team plans to continue full-stack Zcash development across multiple platforms. Swihart highlighted that “CashZ allows the team to move quickly, without bureaucratic constraints, while protecting user privacy.”

Governance Conflicts Prompt New Company Strategy

The exodus occurred after disputes with ECC’s board, including Zaki Manian and Christina Garman. Developers said the board limited roadmap execution and created operational constraints.

Swihart explained that nonprofit structures hinder innovation compared to startups, and a private company is necessary to scale Zcash globally. He added, “Startups can scale, but nonprofits cannot.”

Despite the organizational shift, Zcash network operations remain uninterrupted. Transactions, block production, and network stability continue as usual.

Following the launch announcement, ZEC recovered slightly from under $400 to $435. The token remains down from its 2025 high near $700 but retains adoption among privacy-focused users.

CashZ’s website now hosts a waitlist and migration guidance. Developers aim for a seamless transition from Zashi, ensuring continuity and user retention.

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