Michael Saylor’s Anti-Privacy Stance Sparks Backlash in Crypto Circles
The post Michael Saylor’s Anti-Privacy Stance Sparks Backlash in Crypto Circles appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Bitcoin Bitcoin’s long-running debate over anonymity erupted again after a prominent privacy advocate disclosed an unexpected disagreement with one of the sector’s most influential figures. According to Zcash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson, a private discussion with Strategy’s Michael Saylor revealed deep philosophical differences about where crypto should go next. Saylor, whose firm sits on the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin treasury, reportedly argued that Bitcoin should not pursue full financial opacity, warning that excessive privacy could provoke governments into suffocating the asset. Key Takeaways Saylor opposes Zcash-style privacy for Bitcoin, warning it could trigger government crackdowns. Privacy advocates argue selective encryption is essential as adoption grows and surveillance risks rise. Demand for confidential transactions is increasing, with networks like Solana and XRP Ledger already integrating privacy features. Ben-Sasson says the disagreement isn’t about whether privacy matters — but about how it can be implemented. He claims cryptographic tools allow Bitcoin to provide shielding while still offering compliance mechanisms such as selective disclosure, meaning the network doesn’t have to choose between transparency and self-sovereignty. Rising Interest in Privacy Coins Suggests the Argument Isn’t Going Away The exchange resurfaced just as major figures in finance and crypto begin to browse outside Bitcoin for stronger privacy guarantees. VanEck chief Jan van Eck recently remarked that early Bitcoin believers are turning their gaze toward Zcash because of mounting concerns over transaction traceability and future quantum threats. Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, cast an even brighter spotlight on the debate, calling Zcash “Bitcoin with full privacy” and speculating that its value could reach up to one-fifth of Bitcoin’s market cap if privacy becomes a dominant market narrative. That shift in sentiment is already creeping into institutions. Grayscale, one of the world’s largest digital asset managers, highlighted Zcash’s roots in Bitcoin’s code but with encryption that obscures amounts…
