Binance, for its part, once the undisputed champion of crypto’s disruptive potential, now flirts with becoming its executioner. This Zcash delisting vote though it may seem like a mere poll, it’s not just an internal community vote. By even pretending to announce the eradication of Zcash (ZEC), Binance isn’t just embarrassing themselves—but inherently disrespecting early adopters and developers. This decision especially affects users in Southeast Asia, where the freedom to protect your privacy is most needed.
Privacy coins equal essential freedom
Let's be crystal clear: this isn't about Zcash's price, which, okay, took a 3.1% hit. This is about principle. This goes to the core of what cryptocurrency is all about. You can’t be an advocate for decentralization if you cave to regulatory intimidation. Disregarding user privacy in favor of compliance damages your cause.
Think about Southeast Asia for a second. Decades of kleptocratic dictatorships, brutal security state oligarchy, authoritarianism and cascades of surveillance. Longer-term economic opportunity aside, for many in that region, crypto isn’t a get rich quick scheme—it’s a means of survival. It's about having a financial lifeline that their governments can't control. It’s not about shutting us average citizens out, it’s about safeguarding themselves from oppressive eyes and illegal laws.
Delisting a privacy coin like Zcash simply to placate regulators falls far short of defending user freedom. That’s a terrible approach. It fundamentally disrespects the users who rely on this technology. It's telling them their freedom is less important than Binance's bottom line.
Don’t act like this is the only time something like this has happened. You may recall the leaked EU document that called for a ban on privacy tokens. Remember the Tornado Cash sanctions? This would neuter crypto and this is the effort behind this attempt. It further asks to remove its own power in order to re-empower people and disrupt the status quo.
It’s more than just protecting current users. It’s about protecting the future of innovation. What kind of message does this send to developers across Southeast Asia who are creating new privacy-enhancing technologies? What incentive do they have to build on a platform that might abandon them at the first sign of regulatory heat?
Southeast Asia Innovation suffocated?
By going ahead with this delisting, Binance is directly cutting off innovation to a region that is in dire need of it. They’re transmitting the exact opposite message through their actions — the message that compliance is more important than creativity, that placating regulators takes priority over user empowerment.
This is literally the opposite of what crypto should be doing. We’re meant to be creating technology that puts power in people’s hands, not bowing to authoritarian regimes. We're supposed to be pushing the boundaries of what's possible, not shrinking back in fear.
This action will make the world think that if Binance, the biggest crypto exchange, doesn't support privacy coins, who will?
Barry Silbert, Charles Guillemet, Ethan Buchman – these are not fringe crypto figures. These are respected, well-connected voices in the crypto community, and they’re right to be outraged. This isn’t even about one particular coin — it’s about the precedent created by allowing this.
Is Binance selling its soul?
What's next? Does that mean Binance will – wittingly or unwittingly – delist any token that starts to pique a regulator’s ire? Or will they instead participate in becoming a de facto arm of government censorship?
We need to ask ourselves: what kind of crypto ecosystem do we want to build? One that’s meek and subservient to authority, or one that’s fiercely independent and committed to user freedom at all costs?
Binance's Zcash vote is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that the fight for a truly decentralized, private financial system is just beginning. Now is the moment for the crypto community to speak out and declare an end to this—enough is enough.
Vote with your feet. Support exchanges that prioritize user privacy. Tell Binance that we will not accept this kind of betrayal of crypto’s rebel spirit. Let’s send a message that the ideas of decentralization and freedom are worth more than any regulatory blessing.
This is not just about Zcash. It's about the future of crypto.
Vote with your feet. Support exchanges that prioritize user privacy. Let Binance know that we won't tolerate this betrayal of crypto's rebel spirit. Let's show them that the principles of decentralization and freedom are worth more than any regulatory approval.
This is not just about Zcash. It's about the future of crypto.
