Mediation brief · The ZECsy Grant and Community Conduct
How should the Zcash community address the ZECsy grant and related discussions, particularly concerning inclusivity and the use of public funds?
Sources: forum.zcashcommunity.com (We can disagree about grants. There’s no room for hate)
Position A
Prioritize Inclusivity and Condemn Hate
The Zcash community and its leaders must actively condemn transphobia and antisemitism, and embrace inclusivity as a core value and strategic advantage, especially for marginalized groups who need financial privacy.
- The broader crypto community and Zcash leaders have been silent on transphobia and antisemitism following ZECsy booth photos. Source
- Debates about ZCG funding are healthy, but attacking community members for their identity is unacceptable. Source
- Financial privacy protects vulnerable people, including those in the adult industry, making inclusivity essential for Zcash's mission. Source
- The Zcash community needs more empathy, and some negativity may come from those wishing privacy to fail. Source
- Many Zcash leaders on X (Twitter) are not speaking out against hate. Source
- Grouping sex work with extreme crimes is an example of hate. Source
Fairness check from this side's view: 9/10
Jury: 87 · agreement 100%
Position B
Ensure Responsible Use of Public Funds and Acknowledge Free Speech
While individuals are free to express opinions, public funds should not be used for controversial markets like sex work, to maintain broad accessibility and avoid association with illicit activities.
- People are free to say what they want, and not all critics are Zcashers. Source
- No Zcash leader has specifically criticized ZECsy for being trans or mentioned antisemitism. Source
- It is inappropriate to use public funds for sex worker and adult content conferences due to their controversial nature. Source
- Zcash's strength is its refusal to promote dark market usage, making it more accessible. Source
Fairness check from this side's view: 9/10
Jury: 89 · agreement 100%
Position C
Support Active and Open Community Representation
The Zcash community benefits from individuals willing to openly represent it and interact with people, especially given that many members prefer anonymity.
- Many Zcash community members use pseudonyms, but some are willing to openly represent Zcash. Source
- The ZECsy team is respected for their active and open interaction with people. Source
Fairness check from this side's view: 9/10
Jury: 98 · agreement 100%
Common ground
Facts, checked by the swarm
There has been transphobia and antisemitism in reactions to ZECsy booth photos.
“Not only for the transphobia and antisemitism, but for the silence. You know who you are. You may think the ZECsy grant is a bad use of funds. You can think ZCG should be reformed or shut down (I’ve been” Source
Said by position A
Consistent 100%
Many Zcash leaders have moved their primary communication channel to X (Twitter).
“Many Zcash leaders moved their primary comms channel to X. That’s where this is happening, and practically nobody is standing up against hate there.” Source
Said by position A
Not checkable as stated
Daira isn't on Twitter due to the issues mentioned.
“Daira, for example, isn’t on Twitter for the very reason you mentioned. That’s terrible. You know, we’ve often discussed this at ZCG. We actually have several dozen people who are willing to openly represent the Zcash community and who can” Source
Said by position C
Consistent 100%
There are several dozen people willing to openly represent the Zcash community.
“We actually have several dozen people who are willing to openly represent the Zcash community and who can comfortably interact with people in cryptocurrency adoption settings. Even now, there aren’t that many of them. The entire Zcash army mostly hides” Source
Said by position C
Consistent 80%
The ZECsy team is very active and interacts openly with people.
“The team you’re writing about is very active and isn’t afraid to interact openly with people on the street. I have a lot of respect for them because of that.” Source
Said by position C
Not checked
No Zcash leader has taken issue with ZECsy being trans.
“No “leader” has taken issue with ZECsy being trans in particular There has not been any mention of anti-semitism? (the Monero crowd infamously repeats this and I’ve not even seen them chime in) What I did say, was that its” Source
Said by position B
Not checked
There has been no mention of antisemitism by Zcash leaders.
“There has not been any mention of anti-semitism? (the Monero crowd infamously repeats this and I’ve not even seen them chime in) What I did say, was that its inappropriate to use public funds to sponsor sex worker and adult” Source
Said by position B
Not checked
Violence, CSAM, human trafficking, or sex work are not commonly sold on darknet markets.
“I have never seen violence, CSAM, human trafficking, or sex work really sold on any darknet market. That’s a Hollywood trope. Drugs: sure. [Source: I once ran the largest darknet market of its time and sometimes have fun browsing them” Source
Said by position A
Not checked
Practically nobody uses Zcash for payments yet, including on the darknet.
“But why doesn’t anyone use Zcash on the darknet today? Because practically nobody uses Zcash for payments yet. It’s still the very early days of Zcash, and even of cryptocurrency. Up until very recently the user experience of Zcash was” Source
Said by position A
Not checked
Where they really disagree
1. Defining 'Hate' and Acceptable Discourse
There is a disagreement on what constitutes 'hate' or unacceptable behavior in community discussions, particularly regarding the ZECsy grant and its beneficiaries.
2. Role of Zcash Leaders in Condemning Hate
There is a difference in opinion on whether Zcash leaders have adequately addressed or condemned perceived hate speech and discrimination within the community.
3. Appropriate Use of Public Funds for Marketing
There is a fundamental disagreement on whether public funds should be used to support initiatives targeting controversial markets like sex work, and how this impacts Zcash's broader appeal and reputation.
Options
Issue a Strong Statement on Inclusivity
Zcash leaders should issue a clear, public statement condemning transphobia, antisemitism, and any form of hate, reaffirming Zcash's commitment to inclusivity and financial privacy for all, including marginalized communities.
Review Grant Funding Guidelines for Controversial Markets
The ZCG should review and clarify its grant funding guidelines regarding engagement with controversial markets, ensuring that public funds are used in a way that maintains broad community support and avoids association with illicit activities.
Support Open Community Representatives
The Zcash community should actively support and encourage individuals who are willing to openly represent Zcash and engage with diverse groups, recognizing their value in broader adoption efforts.
Facilitate Dialogue on Inclusivity and Funding
Organize a moderated community forum or discussion specifically to address the tension between promoting inclusivity for all users and ensuring responsible use of public funds, seeking to find common ground and shared principles.
Develop a Community Code of Conduct
Establish a formal community code of conduct that outlines expectations for respectful discourse, defines unacceptable behavior (e.g., hate speech), and provides clear mechanisms for enforcement, applicable across all Zcash communication channels.
Swarm's suggested path
Facilitate Dialogue on Inclusivity and Funding has the highest minimum acceptability across the positions, at 69.
A suggestion for discussion, not a ruling. Verafy doesn't decide value questions; it shows where the disagreement is and which options each side can live with.
- 5 factual claims were not checked. The run stops at 4.
All sources (8)
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/1
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/2
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/3
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/4
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/5
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/6
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/7
- https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/we-can-disagree-about-grants-there-s-no-room-for-hate/58571/8