Dear Horizen Community,
It’s an honor to submit my candidacy for re-election to the Horizen DAO Special Council. Having been a member of this governance body since its inception, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to the early stages of its evolution. Today, I’m excited to share my vision for how we can take Horizen to unprecedented heights during this pivotal moment in its journey.
My Journey with Horizen and the Broader Blockchain Ecosystem
My relationship with Horizen runs deep. As the CEO of Darewise and co-founder of the BLife protocol on Bitcoin, I’ve been a close partner to Horizen and Horizen Labs. I’ve consistently advocated for the unique value proposition of Horizen, which, as a Bitcoiner, I see as a critical evolution of privacy within UTXO chains. In an era where privacy and freedom are paramount, Horizen stands as a beacon of innovation.
While I am a passionate advocate of Bitcoin and its transformative potential, I reject maximalist ideologies. I firmly believe other blockchains, like Horizen, have a vital purpose in advancing the decentralized future. This belief is the foundation of my commitment to Horizen, and why I seek to continue serving for one more term on the Special Council.
Key Accomplishments and Experience
• Governance Leadership: As a founding member of the Special Council, I’ve reviewed and overseen numerous Zen Improvement Proposals (ZenIPs), ensuring that community priorities are aligned with long-term strategic goals.
• Web3 Builder: I founded Darewise, a Web3 gaming company acquired by Animoca Brands. My leadership helped transition the company to Bitcoin in 2023, where we pioneered innovative applications like Odin.fun, a killer app for meme coin trading on Bitcoin that recently made waves in the ecosystem.
• Ecosystem Builder: With BLife, I federated 30 large projects in the Bitcoin space, fostering collaboration and driving adoption. These experiences have provided me with the tools and perspective to grow Horizen’s developer and user ecosystem.
Vision for the Next Term
The role of the Special Council must evolve. During the first term, we focused on reviewing ZenIPs, laying a strong foundation for governance. Moving forward, I believe it’s time to adopt a more proactive strategy:
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Ecosystem Development: We must prioritize onboarding developers to build on the Horizen infrastructure. By fostering developer-friendly programs and grants, we can attract talent to create products and services that amplify the adoption of Horizen.
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Strategic Positioning: Horizen has a unique narrative as one of the few blockchains natively created in America. This identity can be a powerful differentiator in a global market, especially as regulatory clarity emerges.
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Killer Applications: My goal is to help identify and support projects that can become the “killer apps” for Horizen. These will drive mass adoption, bring new users into the ecosystem, and increase the value of the $ZEN token.
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Strengthening Community Engagement: A key priority for this term will be enhancing our presence and connection with the community. The Special Council must foster open communication through regular AMAs, interactive discussions, and consistent updates. The community’s voice is invaluable, and I believe we can create a stronger sense of unity and shared purpose by increasing these touchpoints.
Why I’m Running Again
I am deeply inspired by the vision of Rob Viglione and the incredible team behind Horizen. As a testament to my confidence, I’ve invested in Horizen Labs myself. I’m committed to leveraging my experience, relationships, and strategic insights to ensure that Horizen achieves its full potential.
The opportunity ahead for Horizen is immense. With your trust, I will dedicate myself to building an ecosystem that attracts developers, delights users, and elevates $ZEN to new horizons—all while ensuring the Special Council remains actively engaged with the community.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to continuing to serve this vibrant community.
