Zcash operates on a proof-of-work consensus model. But here's the thing—does developer retention really matter that much for a POW-based privacy coin? The network itself doesn't depend on a central team to process transactions. Yet core protocol upgrades, security audits, and feature development? That's where the human element becomes critical. When key developers exit, you're looking at slower innovation cycles, potential maintenance gaps, and reduced capacity to address vulnerabilities. For a project like Zcash competing in the privacy space, losing technical talent could mean falling behind in privacy tech evolution or struggling to adapt to market demands. The blockchain runs itself, sure. But the ecosystem's future? That's built by the people maintaining it.