Here are the questions we hear most often, from people thinking of coming to a meetup and from people thinking of starting one. If your question isn't here, try the helper or browse the guides.
For attendees#
What actually happens at a Zcash meetup?#
It depends on the group, but most meetups are relaxed and social. People arrive, grab a drink, put on a name badge and chat. Some meetups include a short talk about what Zcash is and why privacy matters, followed by questions. Others are wallet clinics, where people get help setting up a wallet on their own phone, or builders' nights for people who like to make things. A typical meetup lasts one to two hours. Check the group's page in the directory to see what they usually do.
Do I need to own ZEC or know anything about Zcash?#
No. Many people come because they're curious and want to learn. You don't need to own any ZEC, have a wallet or understand the technology. Nobody will quiz you. Asking "what is this?" is a perfectly good way to start a conversation.
Is it free?#
Almost always. Most meetups are free to attend. Some take place in cafés or bars where you might order your own food or drink. If a meetup has any cost, the group should say so clearly on its event page.
Will anyone ask me for money or my recovery phrase?#
They shouldn't, and if they do, it's a warning sign. Your recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase) is the master key to your wallet. Never share it with anyone, in person or online. Organisers and helpers will never ask for it, never touch your phone and never ask you to send them ZEC. Our code of conduct bans soliciting at meetups. If someone breaks this rule, tell an organiser or use the "Report this group" link on the group's page.
Someone from the meetup messaged me offering help. Is that OK?#
Be very careful. Nobody legitimate will DM you first offering wallet help, support or an "opportunity". Scammers often join group channels and pretend to be organisers or helpers. If you need help, ask in the open group channel or at the next meetup. Never click links or install apps sent to you by someone you don't know well.
I don't want to be photographed. Is that respected?#
Yes. Groups should always ask before taking photos, and many use "no photos" stickers or lanyards so everyone knows your preference at a glance. If you see someone taking pictures without consent, let an organiser know. You can also use a first name or nickname on your badge; there's no need to share your full name.
Which wallet should I use?#
That's your choice, and it depends on your device and what you need. We don't recommend or rank specific wallets. ZecHub's wallets page (opens in a new tab) keeps an up-to-date list. Always download from the official source, write your recovery phrase on paper and keep it private, and start with a small amount while you learn. A wallet clinic is a great place to get set up with friendly help.
For organisers#
Do I need to be an expert to start a meetup?#
Not at all. Organising is mostly about picking a time and place and making people feel welcome. You can use our ready-made 20-minute intro talk and point people to ZecHub (opens in a new tab) for deeper questions. Saying "I don't know, let's find out" is completely fine. Read Start here to see whether it's right for you.
How much time does it take?#
About three hours a month for a monthly meetup: an hour to plan and post, the meetup itself, and a few minutes for the two-minute report. It gets quicker once you have a regular venue and a co-organiser or two. See Growing and sustaining your group.
What if only two or three people come?#
That's normal, and it's still a success. Many great groups started with three people at a café table. Small meetups often have the best conversations. Keep a regular schedule, announce the next date on the night and keep inviting. A group of five people who come back is a real community.
There's already a group in my city. Should I start another?#
Usually it's better to join them. Check the directory first. If there's a group nearby, come along and offer to help, or ask about co-organising. Splitting into several small groups in one city often means none of them thrive. If the existing group meets in a different language, at a very different time or has gone quiet, a new group can make sense; talk to its organisers first.
How do I list my group, and how long does approval take?#
Use the add your group form. It takes about five minutes. You'll add a name, your city, how often you meet, where people can join you, and a display name (a pseudonym is fine). Every new group is reviewed by a person to keep scams off the map. Most reviews happen within a few days. You'll get an email with a link to manage your group once it's live.
Do I have to spend money? What about the starter pack?#
You don't have to spend anything. All guides and printable materials in the resource library are free, and you can make a personalised flyer with the personaliser. The starter pack is optional: a box of printed leaflets, stickers, a t-shirt and more, sold at roughly what it costs to make and ship. If your group needs support later, see Funding your meetup.
What should I do if someone breaks the code of conduct?#
Act calmly and quickly. Listen to the person who raised it, and protect their privacy. Depending on what happened, you might have a quiet word, ask someone to leave or remove them from your group channel. Keep a short private note. If you need advice, ask your co-organisers, your regional community or contact us. The code of conduct and Safety and privacy cover this in more detail.
About this site#
Is this an official Zcash website?#
No. Zcash Meetups is community-made. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Zcash Foundation or any Zcash company. We work alongside other community projects: ZecHub (opens in a new tab) for education, ZecMap (opens in a new tab) for places that accept ZEC, and regional communities for local contact. Nothing here is financial advice.
What data do you keep about me?#
As little as possible. There are no trackers or analytics. If you list a group, we keep your email privately to send sign-in links and the occasional "still meeting?" check-in; it is never shown publicly. Group locations are shown at approximate city level unless you choose to show a public venue. Meetup reports are numbers only, with no attendee details. You can delete your account and data from your dashboard at any time. Full details are in our privacy policy.
Can I use your guides and materials for my own projects?#
Yes. Our guides and original artwork are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0, so you can copy, translate and adapt them as long as you credit us and share your version under the same licence. The group directory data is CC0 (excluding images). The Zcash logo is a trademark and is used in line with the Zcash trademark policy, so please don't change it. See our terms for details.
How does the AI helper work, and can I trust it?#
The helper answers questions about organising meetups and the basics of Zcash, using our guides and trusted community sources such as ZecHub, and it links to where its answers come from. It can also search the directory for you. Like any AI, it can make mistakes, so check important details at the linked sources. It will never give financial advice, and it will never ask for your recovery phrase. Your conversations are not stored unless you choose to share one with your feedback.