Zcash: anonymous humanitarian aid in war zones
Humanitarian organizations that rely on traditional financial tools to provide aid in conflict zones are increasingly facing problems such as slow transfers and high fees. Zcash may offer a solution, but it also has its own set of pros and cons.
Advantages:
1. Anonymity: Zcash provides a high level of anonymity through the use of shielded addresses (z-addresses).
2. Security: Zcash transactions cannot be canceled, intercepted, or stolen during the transfer. This means that the funds will reach the recipient regardless of external circumstances.
3. Transaction fees for Zcash are very low, with transfers of any amount costing less than one cent. This is a significant advantage over many other cryptocurrencies and traditional financial systems, making it a cost-effective solution for organizations working within a budget.
4. Speed and accessibility: Zcash transactions are processed very quickly, and as a cryptocurrency, it is not subject to geographic or political boundaries. This allows for almost instantaneous reactions and transfer of funds to any country, especially in emergency situations.
5. Zcash's decentralization ensures uninterrupted access to funds, making it a valuable option for humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones where traditional financial systems may be unavailable.
Drawbacks:
1. In conflict zones, people's immediate needs are food, water, and medicine, not necessarily financial resources. In theory, individuals or humanitarian services could purchase these necessities using Zcash and deliver them to those in need. However, the lack of mass adoption makes it challenging.
2. Volatility: The price of Zcash, like any other cryptocurrency, is subject to strong fluctuations. This prompts a preference for stablecoins. That alone applies to both individuals who desire consistent support and organizations who prepare long-term budgets and cannot afford to lose the funds they have raised.
3. Technical challenges & limited application: Currently, crypto is not widely accepted as a means of payment, making it difficult to convert it into local currency or purchase goods with it. In addition, technical knowledge and infrastructure, such as internet access and necessary equipment, may not be available for individuals and organizations in conflict zones.
4. Legal and regulatory issues: Zcash's decentralization makes it difficult to restrict. However, funds ultimately enter a specific legal jurisdiction, and unfavorable local laws could result in legal consequences for Zcash and its end owners.
5. Despite the potential benefits of using Zcash for aid efforts in conflict zones, governments may take a hard stance against its use due to concerns of potential terrorist financing through the anonymity of Zcash and the lack of financial control within the country, which may result in economic decline or the misuse of funds.
Overall, while Zcash has the potential to address the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in conflict zones, its advantages and drawbacks must be carefully considered before it is implemented as a solution.
Image by upklyak on Freepik
Which humanitarian organizations utilize Zcash?
Currently, there are limited examples of Zcash being used for humanitarian aid, particularly in areas affected by war. Instead, organizations often use crypto for fundraising purposes:
1. The Giving Block is a company that enables numerous non-profit and charitable organizations to accept donations in cryptocurrency, including Zcash. However, each makes its own decision on how to use the funds collected.
2. GiveCrypto is a non-profit organization that provides cryptocurrency transfers to people in need. The company believes that direct transfers are an effective way of providing aid, and that people will find a way to convert cryptocurrency to local currency or use Zcash to transact with each other, giving them greater economic freedom. GiveCrypto accepts BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, XRP, and ZEC as donations.
Despite being in a state of war, Ukraine has not yet utilized Zcash for fundraising, opting instead for more popular and less anonymous cryptocurrencies.
Why choose it over other cryptocurrencies?
In a conflict zone, it is crucial to maintain the anonymity of humanitarian workers and ordinary individuals who may face persecution for their beliefs, affiliations, or cooperation with "undesirable" organizations. Zcash, which uses zk-SNARK technology, allows for fully anonymous transactions, hiding all data about the sender, recipient, and transaction amount. This can play a crucial role in protecting people's lives.
In the end, the use of cryptocurrencies by humanitarian organizations will lead to a departure from traditional forms of delivering financial aid, as cryptocurrencies operate faster and more securely. Zcash, with its anonymous transaction capabilities, may emerge as one of the primary methods of sending funds to areas where anonymity is crucial, such as conflict zones.
