Rebranding of Zcash’s Mobile Wallet: From Zashi to Zodl
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A New Era for Zcash: Introducing Zodl
Zashi, the pioneering mobile wallet developed by the original engineering team behind Zcash, is undergoing a significant transformation with a new identity: Zodl. This rebranding signals more than a mere name change; it marks a pivotal shift as the developers now operate independently from the Electric Coin Company (ECC). This transition follows a governance dispute that became public in early January.
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Transition from Zashi to Zodl
On February 16, in a post on X, the wallet team announced that the forthcoming app update would officially rename Zashi to Zodl. This change aims to preserve user experience, assuring users that no action is required on their part. The announcement emphasized continuity, stating, “It’s a new brand for a new chapter, but everything else stays the same: the wallet, the team behind it, and our commitment to Zcash.” The team expressed their dedication to progress, clarity, and purpose, highlighting the rebranding as a reflection of their growing momentum.
This rebranding is part of a broader organizational restructuring. “In January of this year, the entire Electric Coin Company (ECC) team, the original creators of Zcash and Zashi, left ECC and formed a new company,” the post detailed. The new entity, named Zcash Open Development Lab (ZODL), positions Zodl as the flagship wallet for Zcash. This strategic move aims to foster growth without relying on the Zcash development fund, while ensuring continuity in product delivery and user support.
Privacy-Centric Mission
The wallet team reiterated their commitment to privacy-first payments, a core value for long-time Zcash followers. “We envision a world without mass financial surveillance, where law-abiding individuals can transact freely and privately, without fear of data exploitation or weaponization,” the announcement stated. The team underscored the importance of privacy for individual sovereignty, emphasizing that while their brand has evolved, their mission remains steadfast.
For users, the immediate impact of this change is minimal. The app update will happen seamlessly, with branding adjustments visible across various platforms, including Discord support. The significant shift lies in governance and ownership, as Zodl is now distinctly identified as a product of ZODL, following public debates about control and funding of the wallet’s development.
The Road to Rebranding: A Historical Perspective
The journey towards this rebranding began with a conflict in late 2025 between ECC leadership and Bootstrap, the nonprofit governing ECC. In early January, former ECC CEO Josh Swihart revealed that decisions by Bootstrap’s board left the team with no feasible path within the existing framework. “Unfortunately, decisions made by four of Bootstrap’s board members forced every person at ECC to exit the company, very quickly,” Swihart stated on the Zcash Community Forum on January 9. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the severe consequences of the rapid transition.
Bootstrap contended that the dispute centered on a proposed transaction to transition Zashi into a for-profit structure to attract external capital. They argued this had to be treated as a related-party transaction due to nonprofit asset involvement. In a public statement, Bootstrap outlined a timeline of external investment discussions and efforts to privatize Zashi, which intensified in late October 2025. These talks accelerated in December amidst tight deadlines, incomplete documentation, and legal obligations related to nonprofit fiduciary duties. The timeline noted that the situation “rapidly escalated” around December 20, when the board faced a January 1 deadline to approve a deal, followed by leadership departures in early January and the subsequent exit of the broader team.
As of the latest update, Zcash is trading at $284.34.
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