A key promoter of Solana and Zcash criticizes Telegram and calls on the crypto industry to abandon it

Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius and an influential figure in the Solana (SOL) and Zcash (ZEC) blockchains, recently criticized Telegram, calling the platform a major risk to the independence of Web3 projects . His warning comes after the hacking of a leading Ethereum developer's account via Telegram, highlighting the security and privacy shortcomings of centralized communications. The facts In a public statement, Mumtaz stressed that Telegram guarantees neither privacy nor security for exchanges, a critical issue for decentralized projects. He cited the hacking of an Ethereum developer via their Telegram account as an illustration of the vulnerabilities facing Web3 players. To address these risks, he recommended that developers adopt decentralized and secure communication tools, such as Matrix or Discord with enhanced authentication. Mumtaz, known for his role as an active promoter of the Solana and Zcash ecosystems, justified his remarks by the need to promote safer infrastructure for the crypto ecosystem. In his view, the use of centralized platforms like Telegram exposes projects to risks of manipulation or leakage of sensitive data, thereby compromising their autonomy. Why it matters If this criticism were widely adopted, it could accelerate the shift to alternative communication tools within the crypto industry, particularly for DeFi projects and DAOs. However, Telegram remains widely used for its simplicity and massive adoption, which for now limits the immediate impact of this call. In the longer term, migrating to more secure platforms could strengthen the resilience of projects, but this will depend on adoption by developers and communities. The Solana and Zcash ecosystems, of which Mumtaz is a champion, could be among the first to explore alternatives, given their commitment to decentralization. Such a transition, if it materializes, would mark a turning point in how communications are managed within Web3, aligning practices with the principles of sovereignty and user security. To watch The reactions of the Solana and Zcash communities to this criticism, and their possible adoption of alternative tools. The evolution of secure communication platforms, particularly their ability to offer features comparable to Telegram while guaranteeing better data protection. The potential impact on DeFi projects and DAOs, which could be the first to migrate to decentralized solutions. The responses from Telegram's teams or other centralized players to these criticisms, particularly in terms of improving security and privacy. This stance by Mumtaz reflects a growing trend within the crypto industry: the questioning of centralized infrastructures in favor of solutions aligned with the values of decentralization and user sovereignty.