ZCG Grants Prototype

Committee briefing

Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash

Evidence-grounded decision support for committee review. This briefing does not recommend or make a funding decision.

Evidence currentShared

Committee briefing

1. Executive summary and decision snapshot

Zocial World requests $45,000 to develop an open-source, browser-based Zcash social, learning and collaboration platform. The application is under review. Tufan Aydın leads development, supported by full-stack developer Ömer Faruk Dirik and 3D artist/world designer Selin Melis Güçlü. [1]

The proposed work spans approximately four months. Available milestone details specify $11,000 for collaboration features by January 31, 2027, and $12,000 for security, accessibility, art and production readiness by February 28, 2027. [11][12][13]

Strongest capability evidence: applicant-reported functioning software, automated tests and a public beta—not merely a concept. Evaluation inference: the central questions are whether the broad scope is deliverable, whether wallet/privacy safeguards are adequate, and whether the platform produces participation beyond existing resources. [5][7][8]

2. Applicant and team track record

The proposed team covers software architecture, frontend/backend development, realtime systems and original environment design. The supplied biographies describe responsibilities but do not establish independently verified prior delivery. For previous grants or externally validated professional achievements: No grounded evidence found. This does not establish that none exist. [1]

The strongest concrete development report lists successful typechecking and production builds, 74 web unit tests, 84 server tests and 37 passing Playwright tests, with one skipped. The applicant also describes working content boards and performance improvements, while noting that the latest build had not yet been published to the repository at that update. These are applicant reports, not independent validation. [5]

3. Proposal scope, milestones, budget, technical approach, and dependencies

  • Scope: expanded Learning Valley, real testnet exercises, an AI learning guide, Watch Hall events, project discovery, collaboration rooms, social activities, original assets and security/performance improvements. [8]
  • Budget: $35,000 compensation, $5,000 infrastructure/software and $5,000 external services, principally security/privacy review. These categories total the request. Individual staffing hours, rates and review quotations are not supplied. [11]
  • Milestones: the available learning milestone criteria require a complete real-testnet exercise, external beta-user completion, educational demonstrations and published tests. Milestone 3 requires project discovery, contributor pathways and collaboration testing; milestone 4 requires independent review, remediation of critical findings within scope, a public event and final reporting. For complete milestone 1–2 amounts, dates and any startup payment: No grounded evidence found. The full payment schedule therefore cannot be assessed. [12][13]
  • Architecture: TypeScript/Three.js/Vite client, Node.js backend, WebSocket multiplayer, LiveKit media, lightwalletd-compatible wallet access and cloud/VPS hosting. Public software is proposed under MIT. Dependencies include browsers supporting WebGL/WebRTC, Zcash/testnet infrastructure and ecosystem content services. [10]

4. Community discussion, arguments, responses, and resolution

Case for the request: the applicant argues that one environment can connect learning, practical exercises, community events and contribution opportunities, reducing fragmented onboarding. The AI guide is described as navigation through curated ecosystem resources rather than a replacement for documentation. [9]

Strongest counterargument—evaluation inference, not a recorded objection: combining these functions does not itself demonstrate demand or better learning outcomes. The supplied discussion contains no substantive independent endorsement, challenge or applicant response to such a challenge. For a documented community dispute or resolved objection: No grounded evidence found.

The applicant nevertheless clarifies important boundaries:

  • Some testnet lessons currently use explicitly labelled practice/sample data; verified real-network exercises remain planned. [6]
  • In-world forum replies are disabled pending administrator approval; deeper ZecHub integration requires coordination. [5]
  • The public beta is explicitly unfinished, although the applicant reports active multiplayer, education, Watch Hall and player-to-player ZEC transfers. [7]

These clarify implementation status; they do not establish adoption or resolve the value question.

5. Relevant precedents and documented outcomes

  • CipherScan — $58,800, approved: relevant as an existing browser-based Zcash product with privacy-sensitive functionality. Committee members documented actual use, responsiveness and improved deliverables following feedback; approval was unanimous. Milestones 2 and 3 are recorded complete, but measured post-grant impact is absent. Inference: a usable baseline and negotiated scope can strengthen confidence, without proving Zocial World’s value. [17]
  • Zcash Privacy Academy — $7,000, declined: directly relevant to educational differentiation. The committee’s documented reasons included overlap with ZecHub, abundant existing information and the lack of an established audience; rejection was unanimous. Inference: interactive presentation alone may not answer the audience and incremental-value concerns that mattered in this precedent. [20]

6. Material risks and execution considerations

The following are evaluation inferences from the proposal:

  • Security timing: player transfers are already advertised, but independent review is scheduled in the final milestone. Earlier review or explicit beta transaction safeguards could reduce exposure before broader use. [7][13]
  • Scope versus capacity: education, AI, payments, realtime events, collaboration, accessibility and original art compete for a three-person team’s approximately four-month delivery window. Prioritization could materially affect reliability. [8][11]
  • Privacy assurance: browser-held keys and separation of social and financial identities are stated design goals, not demonstrated guarantees against linkage through payments, communications or service metadata. [8]
  • AI quality and sustainability: curated resources are proposed, but the supplied description does not identify a provider, retention policy, operating-cost allowance or measurable accuracy threshold. These affect both privacy and ongoing usefulness. [9][11]
  • Outcome accountability: acceptance criteria emphasize deployed functions and demonstrations. Final aggregate metrics are promised, but numerical adoption, retention or learning-improvement targets are not supplied. [12][13]

7. Material gaps and questions for the applicant

  • What is the complete payment schedule, including startup funding, milestone 1–2 dates and amounts, and named acceptance reviewers?
  • Which features are essential within $45,000, and which would be deferred if staffing or review costs exceed assumptions?
  • What networks and transaction protections does the beta use, and can wallet/identity review precede wider payment use?
  • What baseline user activity and learning results exist, and what measurable improvement would demonstrate value beyond existing resources?
  • Which educators, event organizers and ecosystem projects will pilot the platform, and which integrations require explicit commitments?
  • Who will provide security review and AI services, what are their scopes and costs, and how will hosting, maintenance and remediation be funded after the grant?

8. Neutral decision considerations

Evaluation inference: distinguish three tests: demonstrated build capability, safe operation and incremental ecosystem value. Progress on one does not establish the others.

Possible funding conditions for committee consideration include a reproducible baseline demonstration, an agreed reduced-priority backlog, earlier wallet/privacy review, complete payment-linked acceptance criteria and external-user outcome targets. These are options for structuring accountability, not an approve-or-reject recommendation.

9. Numbered source list

  • [1] Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash — https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491
  • [11] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 12 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [12] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 17 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [13] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 18 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [5] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 3 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/2
  • [7] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 5 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/4
  • [8] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 7 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [10] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 10 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [9] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 8 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5
  • [6] ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 4 — https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/3
  • [17] CipherScan — comparison summary — https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/179
  • [20] Grant Application: Development of the “Zcash Privacy Academy” Course — comparison summary — https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/20
Evidence coverage20 of 62 records selected

Generation diagnostics show what was available to the briefing process and what was supplied to the model.

Evidence records
20 selected
42 omitted from 62 candidates
Current application share
82%
Of the evidence prompt
Prompt use
77,119 characters
86% of 90,000
Truncated records
5
Selected records shortened to fit the prompt
Primary Forum discussion
Posts
5 packed0 omitted5 available
Discussion chunks
10 packed9 omitted19 available

Omitted discussion remains indexed but was not included in this version's model prompt.

Evidence and citations (20)
  1. [1]Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationGithub Issue

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 Source: github_issue:ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants#491 Source URL: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491 Source title: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Source summary: ### Terms and Conditions - [x] I agree to the [Grant Agreement](https://9ba4718c-5c73-47c3-a024-4fc4e5278803.usrfiles.com/ugd/9ba471_f81ef

  2. [2]Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationCanonical Application

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review GitHub labels: name: 📋 Grant Application | status: grant_application | category: intake | name: 👀 Ready For ZCG Review | status: ready_for_zcg_review | category: review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 GitHub issue: 491 GitHub URL: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491 generatedBy: grant_reconciliation_v1 githubLabels: 📋 Grant Application githubLabels: 👀 Ready For ZCG Review sheetRowCount: 0 githubSourceId: ZcashC

  3. [3]Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationGoogle Sheet Row

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 Source: google_sheet_row:1FQ28rDCyRW0TiNxrm3rgD8ai2KGUsXAjPieQmI1kKKg:1164534734:grant-platform:241550b463ffc1f8ab6fc05f45b84fc7567f6a3cd9902cc3871bb86eac1916bf Source URL: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FQ28rDCyRW0TiNxrm3rgD8ai2KGUsXAjPieQmI1kKKg/edit?gid=1164534734 Source title: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Source summary: Date Submitted: 10/13/2026 | Pro

  4. [4]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 1
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #1 by none Posted: 2026-10-04 12:12:51.621+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/1 Post part 1 of 2 ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Hi everyone, I’ve been working on a project called ZocialWorld — an open-source, browser-based social world built around the Zcash ecosystem. The

  5. [5]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 3
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #2 by none Posted: 2026-10-05 10:22:13.26+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/2 Post part 1 of 2 Development update We’ve been pushing the first playable district much further over the last few days, especially around world presentation, performance stability, community content and the in-game UI. Important not

  6. [6]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 4
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #3 by none Posted: 2026-10-06 19:01:44.389+00 Reply to post #2 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/3 Post part 1 of 2 Learning Valley is taking shape One of the biggest areas I’ve been working on recently is Learning Valley . The idea behind it is simple: I don’t want Zocial World to teach Zcash through static pag

  7. [7]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 5
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #4 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 11:35:16.077+00 Reply to post #3 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/4 Zocial World Beta is now open for public testing We’ve opened the first public beta of Zocial World . You can enter the world here: play.zocialworld.com The goal of this beta is not to present the project as fi

  8. [8]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 7
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 3 of 15 experimental private player-to-player ZEC transfers using in-world identities. The project follows a privacy-first architecture. Social identity and financial identity are separated, wallet addresses are not exposed

  9. [9]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 8
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 4 of 15 toward relevant Learning Valley modules, reference maintained ecosystem resources, and help users progress from basic understanding toward practical testnet and contributor activities. The AI guide will not replace o

  10. [10]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 10
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 6 of 15 Support. The value of Zocial World is not any single feature in isolation. Its purpose is to connect activities that currently happen across separate parts of the Zcash ecosystem. A user could enter through one bro

  11. [11]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 12
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 8 of 15 ecosystem. Because of this, there are no planned upstream merge requests into zcashd, Zebra or other core Zcash protocol repositories as part of this grant. If the project produces reusable integration components, e

  12. [12]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 17
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 13 of 15 scenarios. - The guide clearly indicates when information cannot be verified from its available sources. - At least one complete learning flow is demonstrated in which a user moves from an AI-guided question to a L

  13. [13]ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem — posts 1–5, part 18
    This applicationForum Link

    Forum topic: ZocialWorld — An Open-Source Social World for the Zcash Ecosystem Topic URL: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033 Post #5 by none Posted: 2026-10-13 19:24:00.799+00 Permalink: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zocialworld-an-open-source-social-world-for-the-zcash-ecosystem/58033/5 Post part 14 of 15 ZecHub bounty, GitHub issue or project contribution page. - A working team-room/collaboration prototype is demonstrated. - Town Notice Board functionality is deployed. - Project support functionality preserves the

  14. [14]Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationGithub Issue Comment

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 Source: github_issue_comment:ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants#491:comment:6155514961 Source URL: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491#issuecomment-6155514961 Source title: Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Source summary: The grant request has been posted to the Zcash Community Forum for com

  15. [15]Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationGithub Issue Comment

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 Source: github_issue_comment:ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants#491:comment:6154319349 Source URL: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491#issuecomment-6154319349 Source title: Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Source summary: @tufanaydinn make sure you complete all steps as directed so this can

  16. [16]Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash
    This applicationGithub Issue Comment

    Grant application: Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Applicant: Zocial World Status: under_review Requested amount USD: 45000.00 Source: github_issue_comment:ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants#491:comment:6153282836 Source URL: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/491#issuecomment-6153282836 Source title: Comment on #491: Grant Application - Zocial World — Privacy-First Social, Learning and Collaboration Platform for Zcash Source summary: Thank you for submitting a grant application to Zcash Community Grants

  17. [17]CipherScan — comparison summary
    Similar ApprovedCanonical Application

    Comparable grant: CipherScan Applicant: CipherScan Recorded outcome/status: approved Requested amount USD: 58800.00 Application source: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/179 Workflow outcome signal: ✅ Startup Payment Completed — status startup_payment_completed Workflow outcome signal: ✅ Grant Approved — status approved Workflow outcome signal: 🎯 Milestone 2 Complete — status milestone_complete — milestone 2 Workflow outcome signal: 🎯 Milestone 3 Complete — status milestone_complete — milestone 3 Documented outcome signal: historicalRegistryDecisionDate: 2/1

  18. [18]ZecHub 2025: An Education Hub for Zcash — comparison summary
    Similar ApprovedCanonical Application

    Comparable grant: ZecHub 2025: An Education Hub for Zcash Applicant: ZecHub Recorded outcome/status: approved Requested amount USD: 247438.00 Application source: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/9 Workflow outcome signal: ✅ Startup Payment Completed — status startup_payment_completed Workflow outcome signal: ✅ Grant Approved — status approved Workflow outcome signal: ✔️ Grant Complete — status grant_complete Workflow outcome signal: 🎯 Milestone 1 Complete — status milestone_complete — milestone 1 Workflow outcome signal: 🎯 Milestone 2 Complete — status mile

  19. [19]Privacy-First AI Ad Platform Grant Proposal Overview — comparison summary
    Similar DeclinedCanonical Application

    Comparable grant: Privacy-First AI Ad Platform Grant Proposal Overview Applicant: ### How did you learn about Zcash Community Grants I learned about Zcash Community Grants through ongoing research into privacy-focused blockchain ecosystems and their funding opportunities. While exploring privacy-preserving protocols and zero-knowledge applications, I came across the Zcash Community Forum and reviewed past approved grants, which inspired me to consider how we could contribute to the Zcash ecosystem. Recorded outcome/status: declined Requested amount USD: 150000.00 Application source: https://gi

  20. [20]Grant Application: Development of the “Zcash Privacy Academy” Course — comparison summary
    Similar DeclinedCanonical Application

    Comparable grant: Grant Application: Development of the “Zcash Privacy Academy” Course Applicant: Beyond Recorded outcome/status: declined Requested amount USD: 7000.00 Application source: https://github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants/issues/20 Workflow outcome signal: ❌ Grant Declined — status declined Documented outcome signal: historicalRegistryDecisionDate: 3/3/25 Documented outcome signal: historicalRegistryStatus: Rejected Committee decision (2025-03-03): declined Committee rationale: “Zcash Privacy Academy” Course This grant request is for $7,000. This project aims to cre