The mobile wallet Zashi has officially transitioned to Zodl, marking a milestone following the development team’s separation from its parent organization and their pursuit of an independent operational structure.

Summary

  • The Zashi wallet has rebranded as Zodl after the development team departed Electric Coin Company to pursue independence.
  • User experience remains intact, with automatic updates ensuring that functionality, security, and data integrity are maintained.
  • The team aims to emphasize privacy and sustainable growth, free from previous organizational constraints.

According to a statement issued on February 16, the forthcoming app update will rename Zashi to Zodl seamlessly, without altering existing functionalities. Users will not be required to download a new app, transfer funds, or alter their recovery phrases.

The rebranding will occur automatically with the next software upgrade. The team describes this transition as heralding “a new chapter” for the wallet, reiterating that the same product and dedicated developers remain committed to preserving user privacy.

Establishing Independent Operations

The rebranding stems from the full Zashi (ZEC) development team’s departure from Electric Coin Company in January 2026. This shift followed a series of internal disputes over governance, funding, and operational autonomy.

Following their departure, the team established a new entity titled Zcash Open Development Lab (ZODL). This company not only retained but also expanded upon the functionality of the wallet, as Zodl now stands under independent management.

This transition is viewed as a necessary step to foster long-term development without reliance on the Zcash development fund. Since launching as an independent entity, the team has consistently rolled out updates and enhancements while maintaining the wallet’s stability.

Zodl’s creators have emphasized that this transition does not compromise user security nor compatibility. All wallet balances, transaction histories, and seed phrases will function as they did prior to the rebrand, ensuring a smooth user experience on the Zcash blockchain.

In the coming days, users will see the Zashi brand replaced by Zodl across official websites, customer support channels, and various social media platforms.

Commitment to Privacy and Accessibility

In their announcement, the development team reaffirmed that their core mission revolves around facilitating private transactions and augmenting access to shielded ZEC.

“We envision a world devoid of mass financial surveillance,” the statement elaborated, stressing that financial privacy is pivotal to personal sovereignty. The developers’ overarching goal is to broaden access to private digital payments for a wider demographic.

This rebranding comes at a time when privacy-centric cryptocurrencies are experiencing an uptick in interest and use. Shielded ZEC transactions are now reported to comprise approximately 30% of the circulating supply.

On the ecosystem front, the Zcash Foundation recently unveiled its 2026 roadmap, which outlines objectives geared towards enhancing wallet usability, enriching developer toolsets, and bolstering network infrastructure. Analysts suggest that Zodl’s transition exemplifies the potential friction between non-profit governance structures and independent development teams in the cryptocurrency realm.

Similar separations have been observed in various technology and blockchain initiatives often stemming from disputes over funding and governance. For now, Zodl reassures users that they can continue using the wallet without disruption, while future updates are geared towards enhancing privacy features and improving user experience.

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