What’s Next for Privacy Season? w/ Joel Valenzuela | EPI 370

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Dec 1, 2025

Joel Valenzuela, a blockchain advocate tied to Dash, joins the discussion on the resurgence of privacy coins. They debate the significance of Zcash's recent price surge and its implications for Monero's standing. Joel posits Zcash as a potentially stronger hedge against Monero than Bitcoin, citing their different privacy approaches. The duo also explores market psychology influenced by diverse crypto holdings and highlights Monero's role in everyday transactions. The conversation wraps up with price predictions and the importance of real-world adoption for privacy coins.

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INSIGHT

Zcash As A Hedge To Monero

Joel Valenzuela sees Zcash as a better hedge to Monero than Bitcoin because of differing privacy and governance approaches.
He argues Zcash's institutional connections make it complementary to Monero's grassroots privacy-by-default model.

ANECDOTE

Holding Multiple Bags Calms Market Psychology

Joel describes how holding multiple crypto assets eased his psychological reaction to market moves.
He explains diversified bags made him less tribal when one asset pumped or dumped.

INSIGHT

Limited Listings Reduce Monero Volatility

Douglas notes Monero's limited exchange listings reduce volatility and extreme price swings.
He contrasts a "street price" versus exchange-listed price dynamic as Monero becomes untethered.

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TODAY'S SHOW: In this episode of Monero Talk, Douglas Tuman chats with Joel Valenzuela, a blockchain advocate and business development professional for Dash, about the renewed interest in privacy coins, or what they call "privacy season."

They dive into the roles of Monero and Zcash, noting Zcash’s recent price jump and how it has reignited tribal debates. Joel argues that Zcash is now a stronger hedge for Monero than Bitcoin, given their differing approaches to privacy and governance. The conversation also touches on how holding multiple crypto assets shapes market psychology, contrasts Monero’s strict "private by default" model with Zcash’s more exchange-friendly design, and explores the shifting exchange landscape with platforms relisting privacy coins.

They discuss upcoming technical upgrades, including Zcash’s Tachyon and Monero’s FCMP++, and highlight how Litecoin leads non-Bitcoin payment volume while Monero dominates privacy-by-default transactions. The episode wraps up with price predictions for Monero and Zcash, along with a focus on the importance of real-world adoption, such as using Monero for everyday purchases.

TIMESTAMPS:
(00:01:20) – Privacy season and community optimism
(00:06:57) – Discussion on Monero “Street price” and centralized exchange impact
(00:09:29) – Legal and regulatory climate for crypto: coin listings, Trump, pardons
(00:15:43) – Zcash’s institutional lobbying advantage vs. Monero’s grassroots approach
(00:25:03) – ETFs as potential co-optation vectors; Monero as “last crypto standing”
(00:31:07) – Zcash roadmap, proof of work debate, shielded address adoption vs. transparent
(00:45:15) – Exchange relistings (Dash, Korea/Japan); changing regulatory risk
(00:53:30) – Hope for Monero relistings?; Sarai DEX, THORChain, and Maya Protocol
(01:01:27) – Litecoin’s MimbleWimble (MWEB); "Privacy Season" outlook
(01:11:10) – Ranking private coins by real usage: Monero #1, then Zcash vs. Dash?
(01:13:19) – Price speculation: Monero, Zcash, Dash, Firo, Ycash predictions
(01:22:40) – Closing remarks

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