Zcash wallet Zashi rebrands to Zodl following team split

The mobile wallet Zashi has been rebranded to Zodl following a split from its former parent organization, as its development team moves forward under a new independent structure.

In a statement released on Feb. 16, the team said the upcoming app update will rename Zashi to Zodl without changing how the wallet works. Users will not need to download a new app, move funds, or update their recovery phrases.

The transition will take place automatically with the next software update. As per the announcement, the rebrand reflects “a new chapter” for the wallet, while keeping the same product, developers, and focus on privacy.

Transition to an independent structure

The change follows the departure of the full Zashi (ZEC) development team from Electric Coin Company in January 2026. The group, which helped build both the Zcash protocol and the Zashi wallet, resigned after internal disagreements over governance, funding, and autonomy.

After leaving, the team formed a new company called Zcash Open Development Lab, also known as ZODL. Under this entity, the wallet was renamed Zodl and placed fully under independent management.

The developers said the move was needed to support long-term growth without relying on the Zcash development fund. Since forming the new organization, the team has continued releasing updates and maintaining the wallet.

Zodl’s creators stressed that the rebrand does not affect security or compatibility. Wallet balances, transaction history, and seed phrases will continue to work as before, and the app will remain connected to the Zcash blockchain.

Over the coming days, the Zashi name will be replaced with Zodl across websites, support channels, and social platforms.

Transition to an independent structure

In its announcement, the team said its mission remains unchanged. Zodl will continue to focus on private transactions and expanding access to shielded ZEC.

“We envision a world without mass financial surveillance,” the statement said, adding that financial privacy is central to personal sovereignty. The developers said their goal is to make private digital payments accessible to a wider audience.

The rebrand comes as privacy-focused cryptocurrencies continue to gain attention. Due to a rise in the use of privacy features, shielded ZEC transactions now account for roughly 30% of the supply in circulation. 

At the ecosystem level, the Zcash Foundation recently published its 2026 roadmap, outlining plans to improve wallet usability, developer tools, and network infrastructure. Many analysts view the Zodl transition as another example of the friction that can arise between non-profit governance bodies and independent development teams within the crypto space.

Similar splits have occurred in other technology and blockchain projects over funding and control. For now, Zodl’s team says users can continue using the wallet as usual, while future updates will focus on improving privacy tools and user experience.