Zcash Founder Zooko Wilcox Joins Cypherpunk Technologies as Strategic Advisor

Cypherpunk Technologies Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company (CYPH), announced on December 9, 2025, that Zooko Wilcox, the founder of the privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash (ZEC), has joined the firm as a Strategic Advisor. Wilcox, also the former CEO of the Electric Coin Company and current Chief Product Officer of Shielded Labs, brings decades of experience in cryptography, decentralized systems, and digital asset governance to the role.

His appointment underscores Cypherpunk's strategic focus on building a treasury in ZEC and advancing privacy technology. In a statement, Wilcox emphasized the significance of the company's commitment: "Cypherpunk's commitment to ZEC is a clear signal that user-controlled privacy is not a niche, it's a fundamental building block of a healthy and stable society. They are investing in the very principle of economic freedom that Zcash was built for."

Will McEvoy, Chief Investment Officer of Cypherpunk, highlighted that Wilcox's guidance will be invaluable as the company "grows its Zcash treasury and supports new privacy innovation." McEvoy added that the firm is "assembling a world-class bench" of experts committed to advancing Zcash and the global privacy ecosystem.

The news follows a $58.88 million private placement led by Winklevoss Capital, which is fueling Cypherpunk's dual strategy of developing cancer therapies and implementing a digital asset treasury focused on ZEC. The company, formerly known as Leap Therapeutics, aims to build long-term shareholder value by acquiring ZEC and participating in the development of the Zcash protocol.