The concept of cypherpunk is simply defined as:
“A cypherpunk is one who advocates the widespread use of strong cryptography and privacy-enhancing technologies as a means of effecting social and political change.”
We owe the blockchain technology we admire today to this very concept.
Although the crypto ecosystem, dominated by BTC, has drifted away from that original core value, the digital transformation it has sparked has given us new technologies. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PET), especially through zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology, now provide stronger privacy protection than ever before. One of the most beneficial uses of ZK technology can be seen in KYC applications, where blockchain users are required to verify their identities.
Like the world itself, blockchains are made up of different geographies. Ethereum and Solana are not the same. Nor are BNB Chain and Base—and they should not be the same. Yet, there is one common denominator across all of them: the users.
When users travel across these different “geographies,” they are required to complete KYC procedures again and again in each new environment. This process is both time-consuming and burdensome. Instead, having service providers such as @idOS_network , which utilize ZK technology, is beneficial and necessary for both users and blockchains.
The issue for users does not stop with KYC. When they operate in new environments, they cannot always know whether other users they interact with have good or bad intentions. They also lack visibility into whether those users have a history of malicious behavior.
In fact, the current crypto cycle is often referred to as the “crime cycle.” Harmful activities such as hacking, scamming, phishing, and rug-pulling are legitimized as means of profit, and those who refrain from such actions are even subjected to online bullying. In this context, reputation projects are almost certain to become more widespread and valuable. @ethos_network is one such example.
One thing is clear: crypto has completed its infancy stage. There are now far more than just a few chains and tens of thousands of users. As we enter a brand-new era led by institutional investors, the importance of identity will be increasingly recognized.
