The volatile world of cryptocurrency has claimed another casualty. Zcash, a leading privacy-focused digital coin, saw its value tank by over 20% overnight following the mass resignation of its core development team.

The exodus from the Electric Coin Company (ECC), which stewards the Zcash protocol, has rattled investor confidence. The developers cited "constructive discharge" and fundamental disagreements with the board of the Bootstrap nonprofit that governs the project.

The Privacy Dilemma

Zcash has long been touted as the "secure" alternative to Bitcoin, using zero-knowledge proofs to mask transaction details. This feature has made it a favorite among privacy advocates—and a target for regulators.

• The Conflict: The departing team accused the board of drifting from the coin's mission of creating private digital money. This internal civil war has effectively paralyzed the project's roadmap.
• Market Reaction: The price dipped from $700 highs to around $385, wiping out months of gains. It serves as a brutal reminder of the fragility of crypto assets that rely on small teams of developers.
• Kenyan Impact: For the growing community of Kenyan crypto traders, this is a warning to diversify. Privacy coins face an uncertain future as global regulators tighten the noose on anonymous transactions.

What Now?

The developers plan to form a new entity, but the damage to Zcash’s reputation may be irreversible. In the crypto wild west, trust is the only currency that matters, and Zcash just lost a lot of it.