Every year, our community nominates projects across categories that celebrate the evolving privacy ecosystem. Today we begin with the Best Privacy Projects Category Longlist — a preview before the official winners are announced.
This list represents all legitimate projects nominated for Best Privacy Project in the 2025 Privacy Awards. It is not a ranking, but a recognition of impact and contribution across the privacy landscape.
14 non-Web3 general privacy solutions
12 experimental/emerging privacy tooling
11 dapps
9 privacy protocols/infrastructure
7 identity-related projects
6 wallets/key management tools
5 VPN/network privacy tools
5 messengers/chats
3 AI/ML-related privacy tools
3 privacy-focused operating systems
3 mixnets/privacy networks
Aleo
A privacy-focused Layer 1 blockchain leveraging zero-knowledge proofs for confidential smart contracts.
Arch Linux
A lightweight Linux distribution often used as a base for privacy-conscious systems.
ashigaru whirlpool
A privacy-enhancing Bitcoin coinjoin implementation designed to strengthen transaction anonymity.
Aztec
A zk-rollup protocol bringing programmable privacy to Ethereum applications.
Bengalaq
An experimental privacy initiative exploring decentralized tooling and infrastructure.
Bermudabay
A Web3-native privacy project focused on secure digital coordination.
bit.chat
A decentralized peer-to-peer encrypted messaging application designed for private communication.
Brave Browser
A privacy-first web browser with built-in tracker blocking and optional Web3 capabilities.
BringID
An open-source decentralized identity project focused on privacy-preserving authentication.
Cake Nano GPT
A privacy-oriented AI tool exploring confidential or self-hosted language model usage.
Cake Pay
A crypto-powered gift card platform enabling privacy-preserving purchases.
Canton
a blockchain protocol for linking Daml applications across participants and organizations,
confer.to
A coordination platform supporting privacy-respecting digital collaboration.
Conspire
An open-source privacy-focused governance and coordination tool.
DarkFi
A privacy-preserving financial ecosystem focused on anonymous transactions and governance.
Davinci
A privacy-oriented voting platform designed for confidential on-chain governance.
EIP-7503
Enable minting of secretly burnt Ethers as a native privacy solution for Ethereum.
Enclave
A confidential compute platform leveraging secure enclaves for privacy-preserving applications.
Encifher
A cryptographic infrastructure project focused on encrypted identity and data protection.
Fileverse
A decentralized collaboration suite for privacy-respecting file sharing and editing.
Freedom Browser
A privacy-oriented browser focused on secure, censorship-resistant web access.
Fluidkey
A user-friendly, self-custodial key management solution that helps Web3 users securely store, manage, and recover private keys..
ForestKeeper
An open-source initiative building privacy-preserving digital infrastructure.
Germ
An experimental privacy project exploring decentralized digital interaction.
GnosisVPN
A decentralized VPN service integrating crypto payments for private browsing.
GrapheneOS
A hardened Android operating system focused on security and privacy.
Kagi
A privacy-first search engine that operates on a paid model without tracking or profiling users.
idOS
A decentralized identity infrastructure enabling privacy-preserving credential management.
Immich
A self-hosted photo and media management solution emphasizing data ownership.
Kohaku
A privacy wallet initiative within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Las Comadres ZK
A community-driven initiative promoting zero-knowledge education and privacy empowerment.
Logos
A Web3 identity and privacy infrastructure initiative within the Status ecosystem.
MeshCore
A privacy-focused networking and communications infrastructure project.
Miden
A zk-based Layer 2 solution focused on scalable and private smart contract execution.
Midnight
A privacy-focused blockchain protocol designed to enable confidential smart contracts.
Monero
A leading privacy cryptocurrency built on ring signatures and confidential transactions.
Monero FCMP++
A cryptographic upgrade enhancing Monero’s anonymity guarantees.
Mullvad VPN
A privacy-first VPN provider known for anonymous accounts and strong transparency practices.
NeverLocal
A privacy networking tool designed to obscure device location metadata.
Noir
A domain-specific language for writing zero-knowledge proofs.
Obscura
A privacy-first VPN service designed to provide fast, metadata-resistant internet access without tracking or logging user activity.
0xbow
A privacy-preserving digital coordination and infrastructure initiative.
Nym
A mixnet protocol providing network-level anonymity and metadata protection.
Payy
A privacy-oriented digital payments and wallet solution.
Polymarket
A decentralized prediction market platform operating on blockchain infrastructure.
Privacy Pools
A privacy protocol enabling selective disclosure in Ethereum transactions.
Qubes OS
A security-oriented operating system that isolates applications using virtualization for strong privacy protection.
Privacy Stewards of Ethereum
A research collective advancing privacy and cryptographic infrastructure within Ethereum.
Pump.fun
A token launch platform operating within Web3 ecosystems.
Railgun
A privacy smart contract system enabling shielded transactions on Ethereum.
Rotki
An open-source, privacy-focused portfolio tracker that keeps crypto financial data stored locally.
Rarimo
A privacy and interoperability protocol for decentralized identity and data movement.
Session
A decentralized encrypted messaging app built on a privacy network.
Shutter Network
A threshold encryption protocol designed to prevent front-running and MEV exploitation.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messaging application widely used for private communication.
SimpleX
A messaging protocol that removes user identifiers to maximize privacy.
Tinfoil
A privacy toolkit aimed at simplifying encrypted communication and secure digital practices.
Taceo
A privacy infrastructure initiative focused on secure shared state systems.
Tor
A network anonymity protocol routing traffic through volunteer relays.
Tornado Cash
A smart contract mixer enabling private Ethereum transactions.
Vocdoni
A censorship-resistant digital voting protocol with privacy-preserving cryptographic guarantees.
Venice AI
An AI initiative exploring privacy-respecting large language model deployment.
Walletbeat
A Web3 analytics platform tracking wallet activity and ecosystem trends.
Warptoad
An experimental privacy-focused infrastructure project.
Web3Privacy Now
A community initiative advocating for privacy infrastructure in Web3.
WORM
A privacy protocol exploring confidential communication and infrastructure tooling.
xx.network
A quantum-resistant privacy blockchain focused on secure communication and metadata protection.
Zashi
A user-friendly Zcash wallet focused on private mobile transactions.
Zcash
A pioneering privacy cryptocurrency leveraging zero-knowledge cryptography.
Zeenatweb3
A Web3 privacy advocate and community contributor.
Zisk
A privacy infrastructure initiative building confidential Web3 systems.
ZKBob
A privacy layer for stablecoin transactions built using zero-knowledge proofs.
ZKP2P
A peer-to-peer fiat on-ramp protocol using zero-knowledge proofs.
ZKPassport
A zero-knowledge identity verification system enabling private credential proofs.
This longlist reflects the diversity of the privacy ecosystem in 2025:
Zero-knowledge infrastructure
Encrypted communications
Privacy-preserving payments
Decentralized identity
Hardened operating systems
Privacy-first tooling
From established pioneers like Zcash, Monero, and Tor to emerging initiatives like Kohaku and ZKPassport, the 2025 nominations showcase a broad and technically ambitious privacy landscape.
This longlist is just the beginning. The official winners for Best Privacy Project, alongside the other award categories, will be announced soon.
Privacy is infrastructure.
And infrastructure deserves recognition.