Cypherpunk Technologies Inc. has appointed Josh Swihart, the Chief Executive Officer of the Electric Coin Company (ECC), as a Strategic Advisor. This announcement was made on December 19, 2025, and marks a significant step for Cypherpunk as it seeks to strengthen its involvement in the Zcash ecosystem.
Swihart is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency sector, particularly known for his leadership in the development and stewardship of the Zcash protocol, which is designed to enhance privacy in digital transactions. In his new role, he will provide critical insights on Zcash ecosystem dynamics, protocol considerations, and long-term strategies that support privacy-enhancing technologies. His expertise aligns with Cypherpunk’s commitment to ZEC as a foundational asset and the principles of self-sovereignty and economic freedom.
“Privacy is necessary for human agency, a conviction I share with the Cypherpunk team,” Swihart stated. “I am eager to help execute their vision of driving global awareness and unlocking the power of Zcash for the world.”
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for Cypherpunk. Will McEvoy, Chief Investment Officer of Cypherpunk, emphasized the importance of Swihart’s experience, stating, “Josh brings hands-on leadership experience from the frontier of Zcash ecosystem development. His guidance will be core to our efforts as we take on a larger role in strengthening the Zcash ecosystem and accelerating innovation across the privacy tech stack.”
Recent Developments and Strategic Direction
Swihart’s joining follows a series of strategic milestones for Cypherpunk. In November, the company underwent a rebranding from Leap Therapeutics to Cypherpunk Technologies Inc. Additionally, it launched a focused digital asset treasury strategy centered around Zcash, following a successful private placement that raised $58.88 million led by Winklevoss Capital.
As of November 17, 2025, Cypherpunk had invested approximately $68 million to acquire 233,644.56 ZEC, which represents around 1.43% of the total Zcash network supply. The company has also expanded its leadership structure, appointing Khing Oei as Chairman of the Board and McEvoy as Chief Investment Officer.
The addition of Zcash founder Zooko Wilcox as a Strategic Advisor further reinforces Cypherpunk’s commitment to enhancing its influence within the privacy technology landscape. These developments underscore the company’s dedication to providing institutional-grade exposure to privacy-preserving digital infrastructure.
Commitment to Privacy and Innovation
Cypherpunk Technologies Inc. is dedicated to advancing privacy technology. As the digital landscape evolves, the need for robust privacy measures has become increasingly critical. The company articulates that privacy-enhancing technologies, while under-adopted, are essential for preserving fundamental freedoms such as speech, thought, and association.
The firm emphasizes that privacy is the foundation that enables these freedoms to thrive. “Without it, these freedoms exist only on paper and cannot be exercised in a meaningful way,” the company stated, positioning privacy as a silent precondition for freedom.
Through its digital asset treasury strategy anchored in Zcash and ongoing development of cancer therapies via its subsidiary Leap Therapeutics, Cypherpunk aims to create long-term shareholder value while contributing to the advancement of privacy technologies.
For more information, stakeholders can visit the company’s websites or review their public filings with the SEC. Cypherpunk remains committed to transparency and will continue to use various channels to communicate material information to the public.
This strategic move positions Cypherpunk at the forefront of the evolving privacy landscape, leveraging Swihart’s expertise to further its goals in the cryptocurrency market and beyond.
