Is forking a coin like monero or bytecoin the only way to create a privacy coin? or is there some other blockchain? like erc-20 but for privacy coins
no, if you want to create your own version of a privacy coin, you have to create it on a private blockchain. if you use a smart contract, it can't be called a privacy coin. it will just be an ordinary crypto coin. and it certainly requires a large development fund. but what are your goals for making privacy coins, such a concept is good but less popular if it's for a new project. So I figured without the funds, you wouldn't make it.