Week in Privacy https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy undefined Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:53:30 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html https://github.com/jpmonette/feed en Week in Privacy https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/3af08a33f1b59b2ee389ce5f90defe94ce688a300078af1ce31a430a15d67d10.jpg https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy All rights reserved <![CDATA[Q1 Report - start 2026 with bold ambitions]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/q1-2026-report UZBxyGEFbOxjjDsBrOAE Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:27:51 GMT

Hundreds of people are contributing to Web3Privacy now on a weekly basis: outreaching to partners like Access Now, speakers from Amnesty International, wonderful feminist NGOs in Mumbai, & more.

  • 14 projects

  • 5 new Members

  • 50 contributors

  • Activities from Mumbai to Cannes

Events

stats

  • 25 events

  • 2 flagship events: Cypherpunk Congress in Mumbai, Neo-cypherpunk Summit in Berlin

  • 1000 people coordinated from speakers to visitors

  • 13 global meetups activating from Rio to Mumbai

  • Offsite
    We gathered in Barcelona to plan our activities in 2026, reflect on great 2025 achievements, and just be next to each other.

  • Occupy EthCC https://luma.com/l3hxaaii - 100 people

    Our informal gathering in Cannes - uniting activists, developers, organisers, and community builders from 40 countries in a public space. No keynote speeches, less transactional relations. Care towards each other.

    contributors: Migle, Nats, Peter

  • Mumbai meetup https://luma.com/go5h5mod
    50 people

    Our first meetup as the Road to Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress. We gathered tech enthusiasts in Mumbai, explored post-ETHMumbai hackathon projects, connected with local community.

    contributors: Adtiya, Chandresh, Mykola

  • Cypherpunk Retreat winter showcase (online)

    Cypherpunk Fellows working on stablecoin privacy, distributed MLS or Cashu integration into AT Protocol presented their progress. These fellows were selected at Cypherpunk Retreat we made with Protocol Labs in 2025: http://cypherpunk.camp

third-party

  • Zcomm

  • Hubs network x RadicalXChange

forthcoming

RSVP: https://luma.com/f47k4xnd

Explorer https://explorer.web3privacy.info
Privacy dashboard featuring 800+ projects promising decentralised privacy.

contributors: Humbaba, Mykola, Iva, Ben West, Ant

  • 820 projects (+30)

Research

Media

contributors: Babybit, Peter, Max, Mykola, PG, vovo

  1. Videos

    3 years of Privacy Activism video https://x.com/web3privacy/status/2023808846859280582

    25 shorts https://www.youtube.com/@Web3PrivacyNow/shorts

    20 interviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRfhnDS-WG4 (20% uploaded, 80% - post-production)

Interviewed: Juan Benet x Protocol Labs, Harry Halpin x Nym, Jordi Baylina x Zisk, Seth for Privacy x Cake Wallet, Pavel Zoness x Tor Project, Amirr Taaki x DarkFi, Ahmed Ghappour x Flashbots, Rachel-Rose O'Leary x DarkFi & many others.

  • Juan Benet x Protocol Labs

  • "From Privacy Tools to Parallel Societies: The Neo-Cypherpunk Strategy": Jarrad Hope x Logos

  • Privacy Is Not Protection. It’s a Weapon for Freedom // Amir Taaki (DarkFi): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1z756gXAfY

  • Privacy Isn’t a Feature - It’s a System // Harry Halpin (Nym): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhANsaWzNZw

  • Privacy Is a Daily Act - Not Just a Tool // Pavel Zoneff (Tor Project)

  • Privacy Isn’t Defense - It’s How We Build New Worlds // Rachel-Rose O’Leary (DarkFi):

Ethereum Privacy Stack lightning talks (3)

  1. Book: The politics of Privacy
    In June, the world will see our first book published with legendary cryptographer David Chaum or privacy influencer Naomi Brockwell.

    With contributions from Primavera de Filippi, David Chaum, Naomi Brockwell, Judith De Boer, Denis "Jaromil" Rojo, Audrey Tang, Glen Weyl etc.

    Editor, designer, printing facility covered.

    contributor: PG

  2. Zine
    contributor: vovo

Portal
We are building "media" - one-stop-shop for all decentralised privacy News, Vacancies, Projects, Events, Research and Education.

contributor: Coinmandeer, Max

Academy
contributors: Peter, Oskarth, Kassandra, Coinmandeer

Web3 Privacy Academy - Free Education on Privacy, Freedom & Digital Rights

Web3 Privacy Academy is a free, open educational platform exploring privacy, decentralization, and digital rights through courses, interviews, and research.

https://academy.web3privacy.info
Web3 Privacy Academy - Free Education on Privacy, Freedom & Digital Rights

Privacy Awards
For the three years we are running annual awards poll asking experts share their favourite projects, news, doxxers, innovations.

contributor: Mykola, Max + 80 experts from Nym to Ethereum Foundation

Membership
Model helping us to stay free and impactful - annual support from global organisations.

New members: Logos, Protocol Labs, Zcash, Radicle, Swarm

Public Goods

  • GCC Round - participating in the latest round building bridges between global & Chinese communities.

  • Bordel donation
    We donated to new European hacklab being crafted in Prague. Exceptional educational place fostering hacktivist culture, educating youth, and spreading FOSS.

Volunteers
Launched onboarding processes turning volunteers into active Web3Privacy now contributors.

contributors: Robert, Alisher

Stacks https://stacks.web3privacy.info
Micro-projects helping people explore new software & hardware that experts are using.

contributors: ant, max, Mykola

  • 14 submissions: Sooraj Sathyanarayanan x Brave, Mario Havel x Ethereum Foundation, Bob Summerwill x Strato, Andy Guzman x Privacy Stewards of Ethereum, cheeky-gorilla x Protocol Guild, Mikerah x HashCloak, polymutex x walletbeat, Pol Lanski x Dappnode etc

Other

  • Annual Report

    Annual report by Web3Privacy now

    Annual report by Web3Privacy now

    Week in Privacy
    		Jan 8, 2026

    United in privacy is our approach to alignment between different players, from the Tor Project to the Ethereum Foundation. Events like Cypherpunk Congress #2 with speakers from Electronic Frontier Fou...

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Dyne.org newsletter https://x.com/web3privacy/status/2013629810317369682

Q1 2026 was full of events, web-development, partnerships, foss and joy of activism from Mumbai to Rome. Onwards!

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) report web3privacynow privacy decentralisation freedom <![CDATA[Cypherpunk Retreat - Case study]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/cypherpunk-retreat-case-study gqhuiLO9r7AoaDVYQpFK Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:25:01 GMT Introduction

With growing regulatory pressures, centralised control over communication and financial systems, and the rapid evolution of AI and surveillance technologies, we are at a crossroads.

The coming years represent one of our last windows to build and use secure and privacy-preserving technologies before the current paradigm solidifies for a decade or more. The challenge is clear: secure global communications cannot depend on incremental adoption by existing systems. We need a fundamental shift in internet infrastructure, developed and deployed by builders who prioritize privacy and censorship resistance at the protocol level.

This led Web3Privacy Now and Protocol Labs to bring together leading builders, researchers, and advocates working across privacy infrastructure to identify the most pressing challenges, define the most impactful levers of influence, and double down on efforts to address them. Discussions and reflections from the gathering were later documented and shared across the ecosystem, including participant reports and ecosystem summaries such as Threads from the Cypherpunk Retreat and community reflections shared by participants and partner organizations Web3Privacy and Protocol Labs.

Freedom Browser has been ideated at Cypherpunk Retreat: https://freedombrowser.eth.limo

Event Overview

The Cypherpunk Retreat was an invite-only, hands-on gathering that brought together leading builders and front-line organizers in digital privacy. Designed to foster deep collaboration and activate field-building, the retreat focused on aligning technical roadmaps, driving coordination, and accelerating the development of a more private and resilient internet.

Over the course of 40+ sessions, change makers from different realms came together to co-create tangible solutions.

The outcomes of these interactions are poised to resonate well beyond the retreat: through new partnerships, shared standards, joint projects, and a strengthened foundation for long-term collaboration.

100 active participants from across human rights orgs, web3 protocols, ranging from privacy-focused Brave, through universities like Oxford and Harvard, Ethereum Foundation and all the way to people from Internet Archive and Tor.

Participants

The Cypherpunk Retreat brought together a diverse group spanning academia, protocol development, privacy engineering, and digital rights advocacy. Researchers such as Fazl Barez (Oxford University) joined protocol builders including Juan Benet (Protocol Labs), Sebastian Bürgel (Gnosis), and Theo Beutel (Ethereum Foundation) to exchange ideas on decentralized infrastructure and privacy-preserving systems. Privacy engineers and ecosystem builders such as Amit Chaudhary (Veilnyx), Juan Caballero (Learning Proof), Kyle Den Hartog (Brave), and Remi Gai (Inco) contributed perspectives from applied cryptography and secure systems development. The retreat also included civil society and research voices such as Rudy Fraser (BlackSky / Harvard Berkman Klein Center) and Cade Diehm (World Ethical Data), alongside contributors like Tessa Brown (Germ Network) and Robin Berjon (IPFS Foundation), collectively exploring solutions for secure communication, decentralized identity, confidential compute, and resilient infrastructure.

Participating organisations

Retreat Design & Methodology

The objective of the retreat’s participatory programming format was to create space for actionable connection and alliances between the experts and leaders present at the retreat.

This was conducted by submission of workshop session proposals ahead of the retreat, as well as on whiteboards during the first evening. These were ranked for interest with dot-voting, surfacing which topics to cover and clustering these into groups.

Over the course of the second and third days of the retreat, participants broke into small groups and covered a total of 32 sessions, of an hour each.

Take a look at short video shot at Cypherpunk Retreat, highlighting the importance of people collaborating

Focus Categories

Secure communications protocols

Discussions in this category examined how decentralized communication systems can remain secure, private, and resilient in environments where censorship and surveillance are increasingly common. Participants analyzed the structural limitations of existing anonymity and messaging networks, including the trade-offs between latency, usability, and strong privacy guarantees. Systems such as Tor, mixnets, and peer-to-peer overlays were discussed alongside real-world examples of governments blocking privacy-preserving communication tools.

The workshops also explored emerging cryptographic approaches that could enable verifiable and censorship-resistant information infrastructure. Concepts such as remote-attested TLS and zkTLS were discussed as ways to allow users to verify the authenticity of web content without relying on centralized trust assumptions. Participants examined architectures where verified servers could download, sign, and redistribute websites, enabling peer-to-peer sharing of cached content in censored environments. Discussions also explored emerging tools for censorship-resistant publishing such as Onion Press and related work on privacy-preserving information access through the Private Retrieval Fund initiative.

Decentralized Identity and Permissionless Access

Workshops in this category explored how decentralized identity systems can enable users to maintain control over their digital identity and data. Participants examined architectures built around decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and personal data servers, where users manage their identity through cryptographic keys while storing and controlling their data independently from centralized platforms. These systems rely on verifiable data structures that allow identities and content to move across applications while maintaining integrity and provenance.

The discussions also addressed governance and moderation challenges within decentralized ecosystems. Participants explored layered moderation models involving relays, annotation layers, and proxies that allow communities to shape norms without centralizing control over user data. Interoperability and testing frameworks were highlighted as critical components for enabling decentralized identity systems to operate across platforms and regulatory environments. Related discussions around decentralized messaging and identity infrastructure were reflected in initiatives such as the Germ Cypherpunk Fellowship supporting open-source development of Messaging Layer Security (MLS).

Confidential Transactions and Compute

This category focused on how privacy-preserving technologies can enable secure data processing and financial transactions without exposing sensitive information. Participants compared several approaches to confidential computation, including trusted execution environments, multi-party computation, fully homomorphic encryption, zero-knowledge proofs, and differential privacy. While each technique offers valuable protections, discussions emphasized that no single method currently provides complete confidentiality on its own.

The workshops highlighted the need for systems that provide end-to-end confidentiality across both data storage and computation layers. Participants examined mechanisms such as attestations and verification frameworks that could allow systems to prove that sensitive computations were performed securely and privately. Discussions also highlighted emerging coordination mechanisms supporting research and development in privacy infrastructure, including initiatives such as the Private Retrieval Fund.

Resilient and censorship-resistant Infrastructure

Participants explored how decentralized technologies can operate in environments where internet connectivity, electricity, or access to global infrastructure cannot be assumed. Workshops examined systems designed for fragile communities where connectivity is intermittent or censored, emphasizing tools capable of operating offline or through delayed synchronization.

Examples included systems combining hardware wallets with Chaumian e-cash protocols to enable offline transactions within local communities. Local mints can maintain community ledgers that later synchronize with blockchain infrastructure once connectivity is restored. Participants also discussed grassroots communication technologies such as mesh networks, Bluetooth messaging, and radio-based systems that allow peer-to-peer interaction without relying on centralized internet infrastructure. Experimental infrastructure projects such as Onion Press were discussed as examples of how decentralized tools could enable censorship-resistant hosting and distribution of information.

Narrative, Policy and Defense

Beyond technical infrastructure, the retreat also addressed the broader political and social context in which decentralized technologies operate. Participants explored how democratic decision-making can adapt to a digital environment marked by declining trust in institutions and increasing political polarization. Discussions examined whether civic participation systems should rely on verified identity or whether anonymity can coexist with legitimate governance processes.

Case studies from countries experimenting with digital civic participation were discussed to illustrate how technology might support more inclusive and participatory governance. However, participants emphasized that technology alone cannot restore democratic processes; effective systems must also support deliberation, debate, and collective decision-making within communities. A broader overview of these discussions and emerging collaborations is documented in the Protocol Labs recap of the Cypherpunk Retreat.

Participants from Tor, Nym, Taceo, Web3Privacy now, Mask brainstorming

Target Outcomes

Interop Alignment
Protocol teams compared architectures and approaches across communication, identity, and privacy infrastructure.

These discussions clarified shared assumptions and surfaced opportunities for interoperability and coordination across projects.

New Workstreams Identified
Workshops revealed high-leverage technical gaps across confidential compute, decentralized identity, and censorship-resistant infrastructure.

Participants mapped these gaps into potential collaborative workstreams and concrete research directions.

Builder Matching
The retreat connected researchers, protocol developers, and infrastructure builders working on related problems.

Participants identified where their skills and projects could contribute directly to active problem spaces.

Next Milestone
Participants discussed follow-up checkpoints to maintain collaboration beyond the retreat.

Upcoming ecosystem gatherings, including Devconnect in Buenos Aires, were identified as opportunities to review progress and continue coordination.

Cypherpunk Fellows

Cashu Integration for AT Protocol: Private Payments at Scale
Rudy Fraser, Blacksky Algorithms
Integrating Cashu, a Chaumian ecash protocol, to enable confidential peer-to-peer payments while preserving the decentralized ethos of AT Protocol. This will set a critical precedent for privacy-preserving financial infrastructure on open social protocols.

Distributed MLS
Mark Xue and Anna Mistele, Germ Network

Finalize the design for a decentralized configuration of Messaging Layer Security, implement it in an MIT licensed library, and analyze the design through testing to prepare for IETF standardization

Remote Attestation with Exported Authenticators
Peg, Independent
This project implements "Remote Attestation with Exported Authenticators," an IETF draft protocol that securely binds hardware attestation to TLS sessions without modifying TLS itself. The Rust library will enable projects to verify confidential workloads (TEEs) using existing TLS clients, solving a common pain points with current attestation methods.

Simple Private Payment L2
Aleph_V, Independent
A design for private stablecoin payments at near-zero cost, using zero-knowledge proofs for privacy and a simple challenge protocol for security, funded by interest rather than transaction fees.

Partnerships & Collaboration Signals

Partnerships unlocked:

Tor & Ethereum Foundation’s privacy leadership connected & fostered collaboration.

Over 2000 visitors came to Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress 2 at Buenos Aires. Among speakers were here pictured, founder of Ethereum Foundation Vitalik Buterin talking about their new collaboration with Tor Project here with Roger Dingledine.

2. The Internet Archive expanded it's European presence by finding local coordinator

Watch a video with Brewster Khale from Internet Archive talking about centralized control over knowledge, why we need many independent archives, how we could rebuild a decentralized web using tools like Tor and much more here

3. Bluesky matched with Germ, Matrix, and Cashu

Germ has integrated end-to-end encrypted messaging into the Bluesky via the AT Protocol, becoming the first private messenger to launch natively within Bluesky.

What Was Achieved

The retreat translated urgency into alignment. Across 32 small-group sessions with 80+ active participants, builders, researchers, and organizers used the retreat format to surface shared priorities, compare roadmaps, and identify where coordination was most needed across secure communications, decentralized identity, confidential computing, and resilient infrastructure.

The result was not just discussion, but a clearer map of where interoperability work, cross-project collaboration, and partnership building could unlock progress across Web2 privacy, Web3, and internet-freedom communities. A broader overview of these discussions and outcomes is documented in the Protocol Labs summary of the Cypherpunk Retreat.

Just as importantly, the retreat produced visible follow-on work. The Dweb Server conversation described in the discussions is already reflected in Onion Press, a repository centered on packaging a web server with a Tor onion service for censorship-resistant publishing. Work on privacy-preserving communication and retrieval is also reflected in the Private Retrieval Fund, which supports research and development on reader-private communications. The retreat’s decentralized messaging and identity discussions carried forward into the Germ Cypherpunk Fellowship for Distributed MLS and into Germ’s later end-to-end encrypted integration with Bluesky via the AT Protocol.

The fellowship also included Cashu Integration for AT Protocol: Private Payments at Scale, led by Rudy Fraser / BlackSky Algorithms, Remote Attestation with Exported Authenticators done by Peg, and Simple Private Payment L2 by Alpeh_V. Continued censorship-circumvention experimentation is also visible in Tor-js and its underlying Rust / Web Assembly implementation, demonstrating how the retreat’s conversations have translated into concrete repositories, funded experiments, and ongoing collaborations across the privacy infrastructure ecosystem.

‘A Decentralized Platform For Sharing Intelligent Thoughts’ whitepaper has been crafted post-Retreat: palliora.org/whitepaper

Aftermath

Thanks to all the connections, networking and support participants of Cypherpunk Retreat created during these three days, many inspiring thoughts, collaborations and ideas has sparked. Months after the event we can still see how effective and enjoyable the Retreat was. Bellow are just few examples of participants reflecting on the event and sharing some of the many ideas and thoughts that Cypherpunk Retreat brought.

Participants reflecting on Cypherpunk Retreat at Berlin Ethereum Meetup.

Juan Benet from Protocol Labs talking about how to turn Retrean work into a movement at Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress 2 in Buenos Aires.

Another of Cypherpunk Retreat participants, Will Scott from Protocol Labs, during panel discussion at Ethereum Cypherpunk 2 about programmable cryptography meeting decentralisation (featuring Aztec, Status, Mask, Calimero).

Products like Freedom Browser by Meinhard Benn & Florian Glatz has been evolving: https://github.com/solardev-xyz/freedom-browser & results will be presented at Neo-cypherpunk Summit in Berlin.

Ethereum continuing Tor exploration:

Sebastian Vogelsang from Eurosky continue to implement retreat discussions: "Track 2 of the proposal includes „quantum-resistant, privacy-preserving zero-knowledge credentials (attribute-based/anonymous credentials, linkable ring signatures) for age-gating, reputation, and anti-abuse without tracking“.

Germ team integrating into Bluesky & being endorsement by EFF Head Of Cybersecurity.

Fellows continue to showcase their progress

Feedback

About Cypherpunk Retreat
A Retreat on Privacy, Freedom, and Open Networks organised by Protocol Labs & Web3Privacy Now: https://cypherpunk.camp

Appendix

[1] Web3Privacy Now. Organization website. URL: https://x.com/web3privacy.
[2] Protocol Labs. Organization website. URL: https://www.protocol.ai/.
[3] Protocol Labs. Threads from the 2025 Cypherpunk Retreat. URL: https://www.protocol.ai/blog/threads-from-the-2025-cypherpunk-retreat/.
[4] Freedom Browser. Project website. URL: https://freedombrowser.eth.limo/.
[5] Cypherpunk Retreat. Official event website. URL: https://cypherpunk.camp/.
[6] University of Oxford. Dr. Fazl Barez – Research profile. URL: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/find-an-expert/dr-fazl-barez.
[7] University of Oxford. Official website. URL: https://www.ox.ac.uk/.
[8] Gnosis. Organization website. URL: https://www.gnosis.io/.
[9] Ethereum Foundation. Organization website. URL: https://ethereum.foundation/.
[10] Learning Proof. Project website. URL: https://learningproof.xyz/.
[11] Brave Software. Privacy browser website. URL: https://brave.com/.
[12] Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. Organization website. URL: https://cyber.harvard.edu/.
[13] World Ethical Data Foundation. Organization website. URL: https://worldethicaldata.org/.
[14] Germ Network. Organization website. URL: https://www.germnetwork.com/.
[15] IPFS Foundation. Organization website. URL: https://ipfsfoundation.org/.
[16] Onion Press. GitHub repository for censorship-resistant publishing infrastructure. URL: https://github.com/vpavlin/onion-press.
[17] Private Retrieval Fund. GitHub repository supporting privacy-preserving information access. URL: https://github.com/private-retrieval/fund.
[18] Germ Network. Germ Cypherpunk Fellowship for open-source MLS development. URL: https://www.germnetwork.com/blog/germ-cypherpunk-fellowship-open-source-mls.
[19] Devconnect. Ethereum ecosystem conference website. URL: https://devconnect.org/.
[20] Cashu. Chaumian e-cash protocol website. URL: https://cashu.space/.
[21] AT Protocol. Decentralized social networking protocol. URL: https://atproto.com/.
[22] BlackSky Algorithms. Organization website. URL: https://blackskyweb.xyz/.
[23] Bluesky Social. Decentralized social networking platform. URL: https://bsky.app/.
[24] Privacy & Scaling Explorations. Tor-JS project page. URL: https://pse.dev/projects/tor-js.
[25] Tor-JS. Rust / WebAssembly implementation repository. URL: https://github.com/voltrevo/arti/tree/wasm-arti-client/crates/tor-js.
[26] Freedom Browser. GitHub repository. URL: https://github.com/solardev-xyz/freedom-browser.
[27] Social PETs. Project proposal document. URL: https://social-pets.notion.site/Project-Proposal-Social-PETs-EU-27398815bf318046bd7ed5b2f7bd61a4.
[28] Web3Privacy Now. S26 Berlin privacy event. URL: https://s26ber.web3privacy.info/.
[29] TechCrunch. Germ brings end-to-end encrypted messages to Bluesky. URL: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/30/germ-brings-end-to-end-encrypted-messages-to-bluesky/.
[30] Ameba23. GitHub profile. URL: https://github.com/ameba23.
[31] YouTube. Cypherpunk Retreat related video. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWDF3B8hT6M.
[32] YouTube. Cypherpunk infrastructure discussion video. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KEdd1uR6XE.
[33] YouTube. Decentralized privacy infrastructure discussion. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_evGcDWRuyg.
[34] YouTube. Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress discussion. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B08IXHLOQp4.
[35] YouTube. Privacy infrastructure discussion video. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww2InbgeWNk.

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) cypherpunk retreat protocollabs web3privacynow decentralisation <![CDATA[Privacy Awards 2025: THE WINNERS]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/privacy-awards-2025-the-winners lhi9qzEMqKBfLAx2Yu0Q Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT From courtroom battles to cryptographic breakthroughs, from cypherpunk congresses to regulatory overreach, the 2025 edition reflects a maturing but contested privacy stack - the results of the annual Privacy Awards are here.

“Privacy Awards” is an annual initiative facilitated by the Web3Privacy Now. It highlights key projects, innovations, events, news and doxxers selected by contributors across the ecosystem — developers, researchers, founders, cryptographers, cypherpunks and community builders. All nominations were public and aggregated from community submissions.

Best Privacy Project

The Project category once again showed strength across multiple layers of the stack: shielded L1s, collaborative tooling, programmable privacy and transaction anonymity. Long-standing infrastructure continues to matter, while new coordination layers are gaining momentum.

And the award goes to…

Winner

Zcash — 17 votes

A continued benchmark for on-chain privacy, Zcash remains central to conversations around shielded transactions, protocol research and resilient privacy infrastructure.

Second place

Fileverse — 15 votes

An open collaboration stack offering decentralized document tooling and coordination infrastructure. Fileverse reflects the growing demand for privacy-preserving alternatives to centralized productivity suites.

Third place

Railgun — 13 votes

Transaction privacy remains a core battleground. Railgun continues to push forward private DeFi interactions and programmable anonymity within Ethereum’s ecosystem.

News of the Year

If one thing defined 2025, it was the legal and regulatory spotlight on privacy infrastructure. Courtrooms, sanctions lists and legislative proposals shaped the narrative as much as code.

Winner

Tornado Cash Legal Saga — 18 votes

From verdicts to sanctions reversals, the Tornado Cash case marked a defining moment for developer liability, open-source neutrality and the limits of enforcement against code.

Second place

EU Chat Control — 14 votes

The continued push for mandatory scanning of private communications in the European Union sparked widespread resistance and mobilization. The debate around Chat Control has become emblematic of the broader struggle over encryption in Europe.

Third place

Samourai Wallet Case — 6 votes

Prosecution of privacy developers again raised questions about criminalizing code and targeting open-source infrastructure. The Samourai case reinforced the fragility of privacy tooling under regulatory pressure.

Exciting Innovation

Despite legal headwinds, innovation did not slow down. The year saw progress in wallet design, fully homomorphic encryption and zk execution environments.

Winner

Kohaku — 9 votes

A wallet initiative focused on improving user experience for private Ethereum interactions, Kohaku reflects the ecosystem’s shift toward making privacy the default rather than the exception.

Second place

FHE Advancements — 8 votes

Fully Homomorphic Encryption continues to move from theory toward production viability. Tooling and performance improvements signal a long-term trajectory toward encrypted computation at scale.

Third place

zkVM / ZK Acceleration — 7 votes

From real-time proving to general-purpose zk execution, zkVM progress indicates that privacy-preserving computation is becoming faster, more composable and more accessible to builders.

Event of the Year

2025 was a year where privacy stepped back into the center of Ethereum culture.

Winner

Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress 2 — 17 votes

Privacy-focused gathering held in Buenos Aires as part of Devconnect week focusing on cypherpunk ideals and digital autonomy. More than 5000 visitors and over 100 speakers - It built on the first edition’s success. Congress brought together activists, builders, and thought leaders to discuss privacy, censorship resistance, and decentralization within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Second place

Devconnect (Privacy Events) — 9 votes

A six-day “Ethereum World’s Fair” hosted at La Rural in Buenos Aires that gathered the global Ethereum community—developers, founders, builders, and ecosystem contributors—for talks, workshops, coworking spaces, and showcases of Ethereum tech and real-world dapps. Expected attendance was in the ~15,000 range, featuring dozens of community-run events and hubs designed to foster collaboration on DeFi, privacy tech, infrastructure, and on-chain innovation.

Third place

Privacy Stack at Devcon — 2 votes

A focused privacy summit held during Devconnect in Buenos Aires that convened leading Ethereum developers, privacy advocates, cryptographers, and technologists such as Vitalik Buterin and Tor Project founder Roger Dingledine. With 30+ speakers across multiple stages, the event centered on advancing “holistic privacy” — integrating network, protocol, tooling, and UX layers — and set a roadmap for privacy improvements in Ethereum’s ecosystem going forward.

Doxxer of the Year

As always, the Doxxer category reflects entities perceived as undermining privacy norms, infrastructure or user protections.

Winner

European Union (Chat Control) — 16 votes

The push for mandatory scanning and age-verification frameworks positioned EU institutions at the center of the encryption debate.

Second place

United Kingdom Surveillance Laws — 8 votes

Online Safety legislation and identity requirements intensified concerns about state-level normalization of surveillance.

Third place

Coinbase — 6 votes

Data practices and compliance dynamics continue to raise questions around the tension between regulated exchanges and user privacy.

Detailed overview

Across all categories:

  • 5 award categories

  • 100+ unique nominations

  • Strong dominance of legal/privacy enforcement themes in News

  • Continued focus on shielded transactions and collaboration tools in Projects

  • Rising interest in FHE and zk execution in Innovation

  • Privacy-centered conferences gaining cultural weight

The ecosystem appears to be entering a new phase: privacy is no longer optional infrastructure, but a political, technical and cultural axis shaping Web3’s future.

For those interested in the broader picture, we recommend revisiting the previously published longlists and raw nomination breakdowns to explore the full spectrum of projects and signals that defined 2025.

Privacy remains contested. Coordination continues. The stack evolves.

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) <![CDATA[Privacy Awards 2025 – Best Exciting Innovations – Longlist]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/privacy-awards-2025-best-exciting-innovations-longlist qONqOupDJJtrsAQ8rZwn Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:26:37 GMT All entries below were submitted by community members. This longlist reflects what builders, researchers, and privacy advocates themselves found most exciting this year.

From zkVM acceleration and FHE breakthroughs to privacy wallets, infrastructure primitives, and post-quantum milestones, 2025 shows innovation happening across every layer of the privacy stack.

Out of 57 longlisted innovations:

  • 20 Wallets & Privacy Applications

  • 15 Protocol & Infrastructure Innovations

  • 8 Zero-Knowledge & zkVM Advances

  • 6 Fully Homomorphic Encryption & Advanced Cryptography Developments

  • 4 Post-Quantum & Next-Generation Cryptography Milestones

  • 4 Ecosystem & Institutional Privacy Developments

Below is the full longlist, grouped by category for easier navigation.
This is not a ranking.

I. Wallets & Privacy Applications (18)

II. Protocol & Infrastructure Innovations (13)

III. Zero-Knowledge & zkVM Advances (8)

IV. Fully Homomorphic Encryption & Advanced Cryptography (6)

V. Post-Quantum & Next-Generation Cryptography (4)

VI. Ecosystem & Institutional Privacy Developments (5)

The 2025 innovation cycle shows a privacy ecosystem maturing across multiple layers simultaneously.

Wallet UX is improving.
Zero-knowledge systems are accelerating.
FHE performance barriers are falling.
Post-quantum readiness is moving into production.
Institutional actors are engaging more directly with privacy primitives.

Innovation is no longer theoretical — it is shipping.

Explore Other 2025 Longlists


]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) privacy awards web3privacy ethereum zk innnovation <![CDATA[Privacy Awards 2025: Best News — Longlist]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/privacy-awards-2025-best-news-—-longlist DMWKLUo75MgoWPBPT7Fe Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:33:23 GMT From courtroom battles and sanctions reversals to ZK breakthroughs and global regulatory pressure, 2025 made one thing clear:

Privacy is no longer peripheral. It is central.

Below is the alphabetically ordered longlist of all nominated news items.

Keep in mind, this is just alphabetical ranking. Winners will be announced soon.

Out of 38 longlisted developments:

  • 8 relate to government regulation and anti-privacy legislation

  • 7 reflect ecosystem privacy innovation

  • 6 center on legal battles and the criminalization of privacy tools

  • 5 expose surveillance infrastructure and institutional monitoring

  • 5 involve major data breaches or infrastructure failures

  • 4 highlight zero-knowledge research and cryptographic advances

  • 2 mark a broader cultural and narrative shift toward privacy

  • 1 focuses on digital identity expansion

The story of 2025 is not just about leaks or hacks.

It is about courts, sanctions, legislation, identity systems, and the normalization of privacy as foundational infrastructure.I. Legal Battles & Criminalization of Privacy Tools

Best News of 2025

I. Legal Battles & Criminalization of Privacy Tools

Roman Storm trial & split verdict developments

Tornado Cash trial & legal case developments

Tornado Cash sanctions lifted / removed from OFAC

Samourai Wallet developers arrested and jailed

Convictions of Samourai Wallet developers

Legal attacks on privacy developers

II. Government Regulation & Anti-Privacy Legislation

Chat Control: EU proposals requiring mandatory scanning of private communications

Fight over EU Chat Control

Dark Enlightenment Acts & Regulations (UK Online Safety, EU Chat Control and more)

US state age verification & digital ID laws (LA, UT, TX, MO)

Utah Digital Identity Act Passed

EU Central Bank announces CBDC developments

SEC announcing “Project Crypto”

GENIUS Act enabling compliant private stablecoins

III. Surveillance Infrastructure & Institutional Monitoring

Flock cameras made accessible via FOI requests

CWA “Workers First Initiative on AI” targeting surveillance harms

Teamsters secure anti-surveillance clause in UPS contract

Telegram quietly updates terms to share data with authorities

Kohler’s Smart Toilet camera not actually end-to-end encrypted

IV. Major Data Breaches & Infrastructure Failures

Chinese surveillance database leak exposing 4 billion records

23andMe filing for bankruptcy

Bybit hack caused by compromised centralized multisig UI

Cloudflare and AWS outages expose fragility of dApp infrastructure

TEE security guarantees of Intel & AMD broken cheaply

V. Zero-Knowledge Research & Cryptographic Advances

Proximity gaps conjecture disproven & research progress

Google using Ligero for ZKPs

Progress in Ethereum’s Institutional Privacy Task Force

ZKPs integrated into Google Wallet

VI. Ecosystem Privacy Innovation

Aztec launches Ignition chain

Privacy Pools launch

Kohaku wallet announcement

Veil Cash announcement

Solana launching Confidential Balances

Circle X Aleo collaboration

Ethereum Fusaka Upgrade

VII. Narrative & Cultural Shift Toward Privacy

Vitalik Buterin & Roger Dingledine/Tor @ Ethereum Privacy Stack event

Vitalik “Privacy Pivot” moment

Ethereum Foundation prioritizes privacy

VIII. Digital Identity Expansion

Bhutan Digital ID System integrates Ethereum

What Happens Next

This longlist reflects the community’s view of the most significant privacy-related news of 2025.

From sanctions reversals to courtroom battles, from digital ID mandates to cryptographic breakthroughs, this was a year where privacy moved decisively into the center of global debate.

Stay tuned for winners announcement.

Meanwhile, check other longlists:
Best Privacy Project
Best Privacy Event of 2025
Biggest Doxxer of 2025

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) privacy web3 tornadocash romanstorm ethereum <![CDATA[Privacy Awards 2025: Event of the Year ]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/privacy-awards-2025-event-of-the-year NL0qG9TbvNa8Ogbwp1Le Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:19:44 GMT This list reflects all legitimate nominations submitted by the community in an alphabetical order - it is not a ranking.

The final winner will be revealed in the official awards announcement.

Event of the Year — Longlist

39c3 — Chaos Communication Congress

Udbhav Tiwari and Meredith Whittaker: https://media.ccc.de/v/39c3-ai-agent-ai-spy

Hosted in Hamburg, Germany, 39c3 gathered thousands of hackers, researchers, and digital rights advocates for talks and workshops focused on cryptography, surveillance resistance, and open technology.

Cypherpunk Retreat

An intimate gathering of privacy builders and cryptographers designed to foster deep discussions around decentralized systems and digital autonomy.

Dark Prague

A Prague-based privacy gathering centered on cypherpunk philosophy, decentralized infrastructure, and anonymous financial systems.

DC Privacy Summit

A Washington, D.C. summit bringing together policy experts, technologists, and advocates to discuss encryption, surveillance legislation, and civil liberties.

DEF CON 33 — Crypto & Privacy Village

Held in Las Vegas, the Crypto & Privacy Village at DEF CON convened security researchers and developers to explore real-world cryptographic implementations and privacy threats.

Devconnect Argentina

Part of the Ethereum ecosystem event series, Devconnect Argentina featured multiple community-led gatherings, including sessions on zero-knowledge and privacy infrastructure.

Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress 2

A dedicated privacy conference within the Ethereum ecosystem focused on zero-knowledge research, protocol design, and decentralized identity.

Ethereum Privacy Stack

An initiative and event series mapping the evolving privacy tooling landscape across Ethereum’s Layer 1 and Layer 2 ecosystem.

ETHDenver — Privacy Track

One of the largest Ethereum conferences globally, ETHDenver featured a dedicated privacy track covering zk research, rollups, and private infrastructure.

ETHKyiv

An Ethereum-focused conference in Ukraine bringing together developers, researchers, and builders, including discussions on privacy-preserving applications.

ETHPrague

A European Ethereum conference known for its strong emphasis on zero-knowledge development, cryptography workshops, and infrastructure innovation.

MoneroKon

A global gathering of the Monero community featuring talks on privacy-preserving cryptography, financial anonymity, and peer-to-peer systems.

Protocol Berg

A Berlin-based technical conference focused on protocol-level research, including privacy-enhancing technologies and Ethereum core development.

W3PN Hackathon Berlin

A Web3Privacy Now hackathon in Berlin enabling hands-on development of privacy-focused tools, wallets, and cryptographic applications.

ZK Hack / ZK Events Series

A global event series and hackathon program dedicated to zero-knowledge education, workshops, and practical cryptography challenges.

ZKMonk Real World Summit

A summit connecting zero-knowledge research with real-world use cases, featuring protocol builders and applied cryptography experts.

The nominations reflect a diverse range of privacy-centered events across:

• Hacker congresses
• Ethereum ecosystem conferences
• Zero-knowledge workshops
• Privacy hackathons
• Community summits

But that's not all!

Events and gathering weren't the only moments the community felt are worth mentioning.

So here is a long list of important Moments for Privacy as well.

Privacy Moment of the Year

These gatherings continue to shape the direction of digital privacy infrastructure worldwide.

The winner will be announced soon.

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) awards privacy web3privacy cypherpunk ccc security kohaku ethereum <![CDATA[Privacy Awards 2025: Doxxer of the Year — Longlist]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/privacy-awards-2025-doxxer-of-the-year-—-longlist jccnUI9fpK0YhN3rTNP3 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:47:08 GMT This list reflects all legitimate nominations submitted by the community.
It is not a ranking.

The final result will be revealed in the official awards announcement.

Governments & Legislative Initiatives

European Union — Chat Control Initiative

Fight Chat Control

Learn about the EU Chat Control proposal and contact your representatives to protect digital privacy and encryption.

https://fightchatcontrol.eu
Fight Chat Control

Nominated for advancing legislation that would mandate client-side scanning and potentially weaken end-to-end encryption across messaging services + CBDC

Danish Government
for bringing chat control back to life with 2.0

France (Surveillance Legislation)
Nominated for expanding or proposing national surveillance measures impacting digital privacy.

UK Online Safety Act
Nominated for provisions critics argue could undermine encrypted communication and digital privacy + ID system + Age Verification

US Government — Surveillance Expansion (DHS / ICE)
Nominated for expanding digital surveillance programs, monitoring systems, and data collection initiatives like scanning "tourists social media".

Corporations & Surveillance Firms

Arkham Intelligence
Nominated for building large-scale blockchain deanonymization tools designed to link crypto addresses to real-world identities.

Chainalysis
Nominated for providing blockchain surveillance analytics and transaction tracing services to governments and law enforcement agencies.

Coinbase

Nominated for compliance-driven identity tracking, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with regulatory surveillance frameworks.

Coupang - for Massive Data Breaches

Ledger

Nominated due to historical customer data exposure incidents and concerns over privacy guarantees.

Mozilla (Privacy Policy Changes)
Nominated following privacy policy updates that some users viewed as expanding data collection or telemetry practices.

OpenAI / Mixpanel
Nominated over concerns regarding data collection, telemetry, and governance of user interaction data in AI systems.

Palantir
- for building large-scale government surveillance and intelligence data systems.

Qubic
Nominated for actions perceived as hostile toward privacy-focused ecosystems, particularly in relation to Monero.

Individuals

Elon Musk
Nominated for platform and policy decisions on X (formerly Twitter) perceived as weakening user privacy protections.

Larry Ellison
Nominated for public statements advocating expansive data aggregation and AI-driven surveillance systems intended to monitor populations.

Ylva Johansson
Nominated for her role in advocating EU-level proposals related to mandatory content scanning and encryption backdoors.

And those, who chanted that "Surveillance will ensure people are on their best behaviour", - Naomi Brockwell.

And for a change, here is a positive doxxer:

Tay

for exposing malicious actors and protecting Ethereum security.

Behind the Longlist

This year’s nominations reflect concerns across multiple layers of the privacy stack:

  • Legislative attempts to mandate scanning or weaken encryption

  • Blockchain deanonymization infrastructure

  • Expanding regulatory surveillance

  • AI telemetry and data governance

  • Compliance-driven identity monitoring

The Doxxer of the Year category exists to surface accountability conversations in the privacy ecosystem — not to assign legal judgment, but to reflect community sentiment.

Privacy is infrastructure.
And infrastructure requires accountability.

— Web3Privacy Now

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) privacy doxxers ethereum web3privacy awards surveillance <![CDATA[Web3Privacy Awards 2025: Projects Category Longlist]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/web3privacy-awards-2025-projects-category-longlist XqkniQp2OmwyJiqFB2at Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:27:10 GMT

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.

Detailed overview — 89 projects

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

Read more about last years Winners of Best Privacy Project

Privacy Awards 2025: Projects Category Longlist

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.

Behind the Longlist

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.

Take a look at the last year's winners

And HERE you can see who got nominated for Best Privacy Project of 2024

What’s Next

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.

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) awards privacy freedom crypto web3privacynow 2025 <![CDATA[Ethereum Privacy Ecosystem mapping]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/ethereum-privacy-ecosystem-mapping RpM3XfKhsUEJ0vPtwWoW Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:27:57 GMT This research has been done in an attempt to visualise and map the Privacy Ecosystem of Ethereum with a human-centric approach, catering to the end-users first. We believe that privacy has to go beyond tribalism. Tools should be exactly that - tools, that masses can incorporate and integrate into their day-to-day lives. Our goal thus has been to structure this whole map with end-users in mind.

The structure goes from organisations that are doing great work in advocating for privacy and digital rights as well as spreading the education and knowledge. They are doing so in easily accessible language which can do important work in implementing privacy protective habits and help users easily navigate the field.

Then we proceed to the applications, because they are what matter to the users most. Easy to use and connect to apps, with nice and simple UI that everyone and their friends and families can start using. Be it Wallets and means for safe and private transactions, VPNs to hide one's IP address or Messengers to chat with your close ones.

We also understand that with new apps and knowledge that sparks curiosity, one might want to dive deeper into the whole world of DAOs and contribute to the ecosystem. In the same spirit, without solid infrastructure, tooling and labs, there would be no applications at all. So the whole structure follows in this spirit, almost like moving from the tip of the iceberg down to its base, this map covers what there is to know and keep on the radar. Communities and social events included.

In short, we apply a human-centric approach to mapping by putting applications as the starting point of Ethereum privacy activity. Only afterwards we follow up with the tech layer from EIPs to SDKs. This helps to decenter privacy from inward-tech view without adoption & focus on projects, initiatives in need of privacy.

Watch Ethereum Privacy Roadmap by Andy Guzman x Lead at Privacy Stewards of Ethereum @ Ethereum Privacy Stack, Devconnect 2025

Think we are missing something? Let us know!

1. Advocacy

Advocacy focuses on promoting policies and practices that enhance privacy protections in the Ethereum ecosystem.

These organisations focus on promoting policies and practices that support digital privacy rights and technological advancements.

The Institutional Privacy Task Force (IPTF) is a dedicated team that helps onboard institutions and enterprises onto Ethereum, with a focus on ensuring their privacy needs are met in a performant, secure, usable, and accessible way.

Watch head of IPTF's Oskar Thorin talk on Institutional privacy meets Ethereum. And follow up panel feat Zach Obront (Etherealize), Amzah Moelah (ABN AMRO), Eugenio Reggianini (European Blockchain Association), Francois Garillot (Miden).

2. Dapps

This category includes applications that prioritize user privacy, enabling secure interactions and transactions within the Ethereum network.

Wallets

Wallets allow users to securely store and manage their cryptocurrency assets while enhancing privacy and anonymity.

  • Railway - DeFi wallet using zero-knowledge proofs to shield transactions and balances on Ethereum and other chains.

  • Frame - privacy-first desktop wallet that runs natively on your computer with full control over your keys and connections.

  • Rabby - browser extension wallet designed for DeFi users with advanced transaction previewing and multi-chain support.

  • Brume - non-custodial Ethereum wallet focused on privacy through built-in mixing and anonymous transaction capabilities.

  • Hinkal - privacy protocol enabling confidential DeFi transactions while maintaining compliance and protecting user data.

  • Terminal Wallet - Web3 wallet designed for seamless and secure interaction with decentralized applications.

  • Token Shielder - shields token transfers and balances using zero-knowledge cryptography.

  • Kohaku Wallet - privacy-focused wallet solution for managing digital assets with enhanced security features.

  • Starshell - privacy-preserving Web3 wallet for the Secret Network ecosystem with built-in confidential computing features.

  • Payy - decentralized payment wallet enabling private peer-to-peer transactions with minimal fees.

  • Brave - built-in crypto wallet that supercharges Brave browser

  • Ambire - smart wallet with account abstraction, gasless transactions, and enhanced security through email/password recovery. First wallet to get completely green lighted on Walletbeat.

Watch Vitalik Buterin, Nicolas Consigny & Kassandra "Kohaku: wallet privacy on Ethereum" @ Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress 2, Buenos Aires

Spotlight: Walletbeat - public good project that brings transparency to the Ethereum wallet ecosystem.

Transactions

This category includes tools that facilitate private and secure transactions on the Ethereum network.

  • Railgun - privacy system for DeFi that uses zero-knowledge proofs to shield balances and transactions across multiple chains.

  • Privacy Pools - transaction protocol that enables anonymous swaps and transfers on Ethereum by 0xBow.io

  • Tornado Cash - decentralized protocol that breaks the on-chain link between source and destination addresses using smart contracts.

  • zkbob - privacy-preserving stablecoin protocol enabling confidential transfers using zero-knowledge technology.

  • Veil Cash - protocol for anonymous cryptocurrency transactions with enhanced obfuscation techniques.

  • Fairblock - Decentralized censorship-resistant ordering using MPC.

  • Blanksquare - Composable privacy tooling using zero-knowledge technology and TEE.

  • Shutter Network - building Encrypted mempools on L1.

  • Simple Private Payment L2 by @Alpeh_V - A design for private stablecoin payments at near-zero cost, using zero-knowledge proofs for privacy and a simple challenge protocol for security, funded by interest rather than transaction fees.

Stealth Addresses

Stealth addresses help enhance privacy by allowing users to generate unique, untraceable addresses for transactions.

  • Fluidkey - Stealth address protocol for Ethereum that generates unique addresses for each transaction to protect recipient privacy.

  • Umbra - Protocol for sending anonymous payments on Ethereum using stealth addresses that only recipients can access.

  • Night - Privacy solution utilizing stealth addresses to enable untraceable cryptocurrency transactions.

  • STELS - Stealth address implementation providing enhanced transaction privacy through one-time addresses.

  • dstealth - Decentralized stealth address system for private peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transfers.

  • Curvy - Privacy tool leveraging stealth addresses and cryptographic techniques for anonymous transactions.

Portfolio

Portfolio management tools help users track their cryptocurrency assets and investments while prioritizing privacy.

  • Rotki - An open-source portfolio tracker that runs locally on your computer, keeping all financial data private and encrypted.

Storage

Storage solutions enable secure and private file storage on Ethereum and decentralized networks.

  • Swarm - Open-source and decentralized storage and communication system providing censorship-resistant data hosting for Ethereum.

  • Logos Storage - A decentralized storage network with built-in privacy features and durability guarantees for Web3 applications.

  • Arcana - Web3 infrastructure platform offering decentralized storage with privacy-preserving access control mechanisms.

VPN

VPN services enhance privacy and security when accessing the Ethereum network and other online resources.

  • Nym - A mixnet protocol providing network-level privacy by obscuring metadata and protecting against surveillance.

  • GnosisVPN - Decentralized VPN service built on blockchain technology for private and censorship-resistant internet access.

  • MASQ dMeshVPN - Mesh VPN network that routes traffic through nodes to protect user privacy and anonymity.

Messengers

Privacy-focused messengers provide secure communication channels for users within the Ethereum ecosystem.

  • Status - Secure messaging app and Web3 browser with end-to-end encryption built on Ethereum principles.

  • Session - Decentralized private messaging app, minimizing metadata.

Watch "Decentralization Protects Privacy in Messaging" by Chris McCabe from Session @ Ethereum Privacy Stack, Devconnect

Documents

Decentralized document solutions facilitate secure and private document management.

  • ddocs - Decentralized document management system enabling private, encrypted storage and sharing of files.

P2P Offramp

Peer-to-peer offramp solutions facilitate anonymous conversions of cryptocurrency to fiat.

  • ZKP2P - Peer-to-peer fiat-to-crypto onramp using zero-knowledge proofs to maintain privacy during transactions

Private-Proof-of-Burn Mining

Innovative mining projects focus on privacy-preserving mechanisms for cryptocurrency mining.

  • WORM - A privacy-focused mining protocol utilizing proof-of-burn mechanisms for fair token distribution.

3. Identify & Governance

Identity and Governance involve tools and frameworks that allow users to manage their digital identities and maintain control over their personal data.

1. Credentials Solutions

These projects focus on providing identity solutions through privacy-preserving technologies.

  • Rarimo
    A permissionless ZK identity & registry protocol.

  • Human.tech
    Privacy-preserving human identity + wallet infrastructure.

  • ZKPassport
    Zero-knowledge identity & data proof protocol.

  • Zupass
    A project for managing Proof-Carrying Data (PCD) with privacy features.

  • Onflow
    A decentralized identity protocol focusing on secure identity management.

  • Reclaim Protocol
    Web2 to Web3 verified credentials via ZK proofs.

  • Opacity Network
    A ZKP protocol for proving anything without revealing the details.

  • Self Protocol
    A privacy-preserving identity solution leveraging zero-knowledge proofs.

  • QuarkID
    A digital trust framework by the Buenos Aires government for self-sovereign identity.

  • Anon Aadhaar
    A protocol for proving Aadhaar ID ownership privately.

2. DAO Privacy

Projects under this category focus on privacy solutions specific to decentralized autonomous organizations. Explore The State of Private Voting report by Shutter & PSE here

  • MACI
    Minimum Anti-Collusion Infrastructure.

  • DaVinci
    A zk-SNARK-based voting protocol designed for secure and anonymous voting.

  • Privote
    A DAO privacy-focused voting solution.

  • Zupoll
    A platform for secure and anonymous voting in DAOs.

3. Standards

This category covers tools and resources that aim to set standards for identity and privacy in Web3.

  • W3PN Explorer
    Dashboard featuring 780+ projects promising decentralised privacy & scoring them

  • W3PN Builder Pack
    A toolkit for developers building privacy-first projects.

  • Walletbeat
    An open repository of EVM-compatible wallets.

4. Infrastructure (Infra)

Infrastructure encompasses the foundational technologies and protocols that support privacy-enhancing solutions for Ethereum.

L2s & ZK Rollups

  • Aztec
    Private-by-default zkRollup for Ethereum.

  • TEN (Threshold Encryption Network)
    Encrypted mempool and private smart contracts.

  • INTMAX
    Stateless zkRollup focused on scalability and privacy.

  • COTI
    Layer2 with privacy-preserving shielded transactions.

  • Shinobi.cash
    Cross-chain privacy protocol built using the OIF.

  • Manta Network
    Modular L2 using ZK enabled Universal Circuits.

  • Miden
    STARK-based virtual machine by Polygon.

  • Nightfall
    Enterprise focused chain focused on privacy without anonymity.

Network & RPC Privacy

  • NYM
    Mixnet for metadata-private networking.

  • HOPR
    Privacy-preserving p2p data transport.

  • RPCh
    Privacy-focused RPC relay network.

  • Tor
    Onion routing for anonymous communication - onionizing Ethereum.
    A directory of privacy-preserving tools and infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem that leverage the Tor network is here - Github repo

Watch Roger Dingledine x Tor and Vitalik Buterin x Buterin fireside

Private Compute

  • INCO
    Confidential compute for smart contracts.

  • Zama
    Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) for blockchain and AI.

  • NuCypher
    Threshold cryptography and encryption services.

  • Mind Network
    Zero-trust data lake and FHE infrastructure.

  • Fhenix
    FHE-powered Ethereum-compatible rollup.

  • Oasis
    Confidential EVM and privacy-enabled smart contracts.

  • Arcium
    An encrypted supercomputer, enabling operating on the internet without need to read the underlying data.

  • TACEO
    Secure multiparty computation (MPC) infrastructure.

Node & Cross-chain

  • DappNode
    Self-hosted Web3 infrastructure nodes.

  • Panther Protocol
    Privacy-preserving DeFi and cross-chain transactions.

  • Chainlink
    Decentralized oracle and cross-chain infrastructure.

  • Warp-toad
    Cross-chain or node tooling (limited public documentation).

  • SilentSwap
    Cross-chain non-custodial aggregator using TEE.

5. Tooling

Tooling includes various utility tools and software frameworks designed to aid developers in creating privacy-focused applications and features.

ZK Infra

  • Summa
    ZK proofs for cross-chain and financial verification.

  • NEBRA
    Decentralized zk-proof infrastructure and prover network.

  • Axiom
    ZK coprocessor for Ethereum historical data.

  • PCD (Proof-Carrying Data)
    Framework for composable cryptographic proofs.

Protocols

  • UniRep Protocol
    Private reputation system using zero-knowledge proofs.

  • Bandada
    Privacy-preserving group management for ZK apps.

  • ZKProtocol
    ZK-focused protocol tooling (limited public canonical site).

  • Bermuda
    ZK/privacy protocol (early-stage or research-facing).

  • RLN (Rate Limiting Nullifier)
    Anonymous rate-limiting for spam resistance.

  • zkETHer
    Privacy-preserving Ethereum transactions.

  • Semaphore
    Anonymous signaling and group membership proofs.

  • TLSNotary
    Verifiable web data via TLS proofs.

Domains

6. Research & Development

This category covers initiatives and projects dedicated to advancing privacy technologies and methodologies within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Applied Research

  • NOVA Verifier
    A verification tool for zero-knowledge proofs.

  • Folding
    Framework for folding schemes in cryptographic settings.

Research

  • NOVA
    A verification tool for zero-knowledge proofs.

Low-Level Libraries

  • Solidity
    A programming language for writing smart contracts on Ethereum.

  • Noir
    A programming language designed for zero-knowledge proofs.

  • Circom
    A circuit description language for zero-knowledge proofs.

  • Halo 2
    A proof system for efficient zero-knowledge proofs.

Dev Shops & Research Labs

  • Fat Solutions
    A development shop focusing on secure blockchain solutions.

  • Distributed Lab
    A lab specializing in blockchain technology and research.

  • Wonderland
    A decentralized finance platform offering innovative solutions.

  • PSE
    A research initiative focused on privacy [part of EF]. Check PSE's roadmap here

  • Silence Laboratories
    A research lab dedicated to privacy solutions in blockchain.

  • Primus Labs
    A research and development lab focused on pioneering blockchain technologies.

  • Encrypt Labs
    A zkTLS oracle protocol that enables web private data to be verifiable on-chain.

  • nil; Foundation
    A foundation focused on privacy and security in computing.

  • 0xPARC
    A research collective exploring privacy and scaling infrastructures.

  • RaidGuild
    A community of developers and designers collaborating on decentralized solutions.

  • Nethermind Research
    Research arm of software engineering company Nethermind.

  • a16z Crypto Research
    Research arm of the crypto arm of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz

  • Client-Side GPU Acceleration by PSE
    ZK proofs generated on users' devices while alligned with post-quantum goals.

PIR

EIP & ERCs

7. Communities

Communities consist of groups and networks that foster discussion, collaboration, and knowledge sharing around Ethereum privacy topics.

Major Organizations

Community Groups

  • Privacy LatAm
    A collective focused on privacy rights and education in Latin America.

  • Logos Circles
    ..A community fostering collaboration and discussion around decentralized technologies.

  • Crecimiento
    A community focused on growth and privacy advocacy in Spanish-speaking regions.

8. Events

Events refer to conferences, meetups, and other gatherings focused on promoting dialogue and collaboration on privacy advancements in blockchain technology.

1. Hackathons

Hackathons are collaborative events where developers come together to innovate and create privacy-focused projects.

Offline Hackathons

  • ETHRome
    Ethereum hackathon in Rome with zk/privacy tracks.

  • ETHDam
    Amsterdam-based conference & hackathon focused on zk and privacy.

  • ETHBerlin
    Ethereum hackathon in Berlin, includes cypherpunk and zero-knowledge projects.

  • ETHTokyo
    Community of Tokyo-based developers and professionals, driven by a shared sense of cypherpunk ethos and optimism for the future, dedicated to advance the development and adoption of Ethereum

  • ETHPrague
    Event focused on the future of Ethereum and potential concepts or applications that don't yet exist

  • ETHBelgrade
    Part of Belgrade Blockchain Week

  • W3PN HACKS
    Privacy-focused hackathon by the Web3Privacy.Now community.

Congresses

2. Summits

Summits bring together experts and communities to discuss and promote advancements in privacy technology.

3. Meetups

Meetups are events that foster community discussion and collaboration around privacy topics in the Ethereum ecosystem.

  • Web3Privacy Now
    Community hosting local meetups for privacy builders and researchers.

  • Privacy Guardians
    Online community sharing Web3 privacy events and resources.

9. Content

Content encompasses educational resources, publications, and blogs that provide insights and information about privacy initiatives and technologies.

10. Funding

Funding includes opportunities and initiatives dedicated to financially supporting projects aimed at enhancing privacy in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Public Goods

  • Gitcoin
    A platform focused on funding public goods and supporting open-source projects.

  • Giveth
    A platform that enables direct donations to social projects that benefit public goods.

  • Namada
    A protocol for decentralized private transactions with a focus on asset privacy.

  • GCC (Gitcoin Community Council)
    A community-driven initiative within Gitcoin for governance and decision-making.

  • Drips
    A platform for creating sustainable revenue through subscription contributions to projects.

  • Octant
    A discovery platform for Web3 projects aimed at building sustainable ecosystems.

Gitcoin 2025 privacy round facilitated by PSE & Web3Privacy now

Venture Capitalists

  • a16z crypto
    A venture capital firm supporting crypto and blockchain startups with significant investments.

  • Outlier Ventures
    A venture platform focused on the development of the Web3 ecosystem.

  • Polychain
    A cryptocurrency investment firm investing in blockchain projects and protocols.

  • Binance
    A leading global cryptocurrency exchange that also invests in blockchain projects.

  • Eden Block
    A venture capital firm focused on investing in crypto and blockchain startups.

  • Consensys
    A blockchain software technology company that develops decentralized applications.

  • Lunar Ventures
    European DeepTech Venture Fund, made notable investments in Ethereum-related projects.

  • 1kx
    Investing at key inflection points for blockchain technologies to create breakthrough opportunities across global markets.

Individual Investors

  • Vitalik Buterin
    Co-founder of Ethereum and a prominent figure in the blockchain community.

  • Imogen Heap
    Musician and creative technologist known for her innovative work in music and blockchain.

  • Stani Kulechov
    Founder of Aave, a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform.

  • Joseph Lubin
    Co-founder of Ethereum and founder of ConsenSys, focusing on blockchain technology.

  • Stefan George
    Co-founder and CTO of Gnosis, known for decentralized infrastructure in DeFi and DAOs.

  • Hsiao-Wei Wang
    Co-Executive Director of Ethereum Foundation

  • Gavin Wood
    Co-founder of Ethereum and founder of Parity Technologies (now Polkadot), known for his contributions to blockchain technology and smart contract development.

Accelerators

  • LongHash
    A startup accelerator that supports companies in the blockchain and crypto space.

  • COTI Builders Program
    A project focusing on providing privacy-oriented solutions.

  • Alliance DAO
    A decentralized autonomous organization helping to launch and connect Web3 startups.

  • Web3Privacy Now
    A community focused on building privacy-preserving solutions in Web3.

  • Outlier Ventures
    A venture platform focused on the development of the Web3 ecosystem.

  • BREW Berlin
    Local hub focused on (F)OSS development, providing a privacy track.

Watch Who pays for privacy? The real cost of building aligned apps by Lefteris Karapetsas at Ethereum Privacy Stack, 2026

Organizations

  • Ethereum Foundation
    A nonprofit organization that supports the Ethereum ecosystem through research, development, and grants.

  • Aztec Foundation
    A foundation focused on developing privacy technologies for blockchain.

  • Moloch DAO
    A decentralized autonomous organization aimed at funding Ethereum development.

  • Protocol Labs
    A research and development lab that supports open-source protocols.

  • Logos
    An organization dedicated to advancing the use of blockchain technology.

The State Of Privacy hackathons in Ethereum

Foreword

This report maps a growing Ethereum privacy ecosystem movement. Across 40 global hackathons in 2025, builders, researchers, and explorers co-created 416 privacy-first projects. These teams are manifesting a vision of digital sovereignty, agency, and dignity for all people.

In the following pages, we present the data plainly and use it as a call to action: we must fund, mentor, and scale so the highest-impact opportunities and privacy becomes a conscious, everyday choice; not an afterthought.

Nearly 8 of every 100 projects in these hackathons put privacy first. This is a clear signal that privacy is moving from niche to mainstream. 31 of 40 hackathons produced privacy use-cases, and flagship events consistently surface the most mature efforts.

Privacy is no longer a side project, it is a civic imperative. For privacy-focused organizations and communities, the path is clear: shine light on under-resourced categories (governance, healthcare, education), expand mentorship-rich gatherings, and invest in tooling and on-ramps so newcomers can build with privacy by default.

1. Headline Metrics

We analysed 40 hackathons that attracted 10,692 hackers who created 5,194 total projects. Out of these 40 events, 31 hackathons featured privacy-focused projects. The total prize pool across all events was $4.8 million, and 417 projects were dedicated to privacy.

What this means: Privacy is no longer a niche concern in the Ethereum ecosystem. With 8% of all projects focusing on privacy and three-quarters of hackathons producing privacy use-cases, privacy-focused building has become mainstream. This represents a fundamental shift from privacy being an afterthought to becoming a core consideration for builders.

2. Top 3 events Breakdown

ETHGlobal organised 11 events that generated 3,945 submissions, of which 216 were privacy projects (representing 5.5% of their total). 

Independent organizers collectively ran 25 events with 1,047 submissions and 154 privacy projects (a much higher 14.7%). 

ETHWarsaw, though smaller with only 2 events and 50 submissions, achieved an impressive 32% privacy focus with 16 privacy projects.

What this means: Larger, global organisers like ETHGlobal bring volume and scale, attracting thousands of participants. However, niche and regional organisers—particularly those with specific privacy or technical focuses—drive significantly higher privacy intensity. ETHWarsaw's 32% privacy rate is nearly 6 times higher than ETHGlobal's 5.5%, demonstrating that specialized, community-driven events create environments where privacy innovation thrives. This suggests that funding and support should be distributed not just to mega-events, but strategically to smaller, focused gatherings that punch above their weight in privacy innovation.

3. Participation & Submissions

On average, each hackathon received 13 privacy-focused submissions, attracted 313 hackers, and generated 130 total submissions.

What this means: These averages reveal that privacy projects represent roughly 10% of all submissions (13 out of 130). The relatively modest average of 313 hackers per event suggests that smaller, more intimate hackathons are common in this dataset. This intimacy may actually benefit privacy innovation, as smaller events often allow for deeper mentorship, more focused themes, and stronger community bonds. The data supports the conclusion that targeted, mid-sized events yield higher quality privacy innovation than massive, generalist gatherings.

4. Prize Distribution

The median prize pool was $32,500, while the average prize pool was $120,000. Notably, events with prize pools under $200,000 maximized privacy intensity.

What this means: The significant gap between median ($32.5K) and average ($120K) indicates that a few very large prize pools skew the average upward, while most events operate with more modest budgets. The finding that sub-$200K events maximize privacy intensity is crucial: it suggests that throwing massive amounts of money at hackathons doesn't necessarily produce better privacy innovation. Instead, mid-sized, targeted events with specialist focus and strong mentorship outperform mega-events. This has important implications for funders: strategic, focused investment in specialized events may yield better returns than sponsoring only the largest hackathons.

5. TOP 5 Domain Distribution

Finance dominates with 153 projects representing 36.7% of all privacy work, driven by confidential swaps, private payments, and lending primitives. Social & Messaging follows with 100 projects (23.9%), reflecting growing demand for private communication tools. AI & Data Privacy captured 51 projects (12.2%), showing emerging interest in this space. Authentication & Identity had 26 projects (6.2%), while Infrastructure rounded out the top five with 14 projects (3.4%).

What this means: Finance's dominance (more than one-third of all privacy projects) reflects both the maturity of DeFi and the acute need for privacy in financial transactions. The strong showing of Social & Messaging (nearly one-quarter) indicates that builders recognize communication privacy as a fundamental human right and market need. The relatively modest showing of AI & Data Privacy (12.2%) despite its "very high" market potential suggests this is an emerging category with significant room for growth. The small numbers in Infrastructure (3.4%) are concerning, as robust privacy infrastructure is foundational for all other use cases. This distribution reveals where builders are naturally gravitating (finance, social) versus where critical gaps exist (infrastructure, governance, healthcare, education).

6. Technology Landscape

Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology dominates with 145 projects and 310 total mentions across various implementations. Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) appeared in 18 projects, while Multi-Party Computation (MPC) was used in 32 projects. Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) appeared in just 12 projects, and 210 projects used other or custom approaches.

Within the ZK ecosystem, Circom + snarkjs led with 28 mentions, followed by Noir/Aztec with 21, Polygon zkEVM with 15, Cairo/Starknet with 8, Halo2/zkEVM with 6, and 67 other or custom implementations.

What this means: ZK technology is clearly the dominant privacy primitive in the Ethereum ecosystem, appearing in roughly one-third of all privacy projects. Its versatility—from confidential transactions to private identity to verifiable computation—makes it the Swiss Army knife of privacy tools. The fragmentation across different ZK implementations (Circom, Noir, Polygon, Cairo, etc.) suggests a healthy, competitive ecosystem but also potential developer confusion and tooling fragmentation. The relatively low adoption of FHE (12 projects) and MPC (32 projects) indicates these remain specialized tools for specific use cases rather than general-purpose solutions. The 210 "other" projects suggest significant experimentation and innovation beyond established primitives, which is healthy for long-term ecosystem development.

7. Geographic Distribution

Europe led with 17 events producing 145 privacy projects (13.1% privacy rate). Latin America hosted 8 events with 88 privacy projects (12.3%). Asia had 5 events generating 79 privacy projects (8.4%). Africa organized 2 events with 5 privacy projects (6.5%), while North America had 2 events with 20 privacy projects (3.9%). Virtual events numbered 6 with 80 privacy projects (4.3%).

What this means: Europe's leadership (17 events, 145 projects, 13.1% privacy rate) establishes it as the global hub for privacy innovation in Ethereum. This likely reflects Europe's strong privacy culture (GDPR), academic institutions focused on cryptography, and vibrant local communities. Latin America's strong showing (12.3% privacy rate) is particularly notable—it's emerging as a secondary hub with privacy rates nearly matching Europe's. This may reflect both regional interest in financial privacy and strong local organizing. Asia's lower privacy rate (8.4%) despite having active communities suggests different priorities or approaches. North America's surprisingly low performance (3.9% from just 2 events) indicates potential for growth. The fact that virtual events (4.3%) significantly underperform in-person events reinforces the importance of face-to-face interaction for privacy innovation.

8. TOP 5 Hackathons by Privacy %

ETHBelgrade achieved the highest privacy focus at 50%, meaning half of all projects were privacy-focused. ETHTokyo came second with 46.3%, followed by ETHDam at 39.4%. ZKHack Berlin reached 37.8%, and ETHLatam rounded out the top five at 33.3%.

What this means: These exceptional events demonstrate what's possible when hackathons are either explicitly privacy-focused (ZKHack Berlin) or create environments where privacy innovation thrives. ETHBelgrade's 50% rate—meaning every other project focused on privacy—is remarkable and suggests a community deeply committed to privacy values. The geographic diversity (Belgrade, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Latin America) shows that privacy innovation isn't confined to one region. The presence of ZKHack Berlin confirms that specialized, technical events drive high privacy intensity. These events should be studied as models: What made them successful? How did they attract privacy-focused builders? What mentorship and resources did they provide? Replicating their success factors could elevate privacy focus across the broader ecosystem.

9. IRL vs. Virtual

In-person (IRL) events numbered 34 and generated 3,355 submissions, of which 337 were privacy projects, representing 10.04%. Virtual events totaled 6 with 1,839 submissions and 80 privacy projects, representing just 4.35%.

What this means: In-person hackathons produce more than double the privacy intensity (10.04%) compared to virtual events (4.35%). This 2.3x difference is significant and suggests that privacy innovation benefits particularly from face-to-face interaction. Several factors likely contribute: in-person events enable deeper mentorship relationships, facilitate spontaneous collaboration and idea exchange, create stronger community bonds, and allow for more focused, immersive experiences away from daily distractions. For privacy-focused work, which often requires deep technical understanding and benefits from expert guidance, the in-person advantage is even more pronounced. This has important implications for post-pandemic event strategy: while virtual events increase accessibility, organizations serious about advancing privacy innovation should prioritize funding and organizing in-person gatherings.

10. Underserved Categories & Market Potential

Social projects numbered 100 with high (growing) market potential but a small gap, indicating reasonable current investment. AI & Data Privacy had 51 projects with very high market potential and a medium gap, suggesting moderate underinvestment. Authentication & Identity showed 26 projects with high market potential and a medium gap.

The critical gaps emerge in DAO/Governance with only 10 projects despite very high market potential and a large gap, and Education & Onboarding with just 2 projects despite high market potential and a very large gap. Most striking is Post-Quantum Crypto with only 1 project despite high (emerging) market potential and a massive gap.

What this means: This analysis reveals where the ecosystem is failing to allocate resources relative to impact potential. Social and AI & Data Privacy, while still underfunded, are at least receiving attention. The real crisis lies in governance, education, and post-quantum cryptography.

DAO/Governance (10 projects, very high potential, large gap): As DAOs manage billions in treasury funds and make critical decisions, private voting and confidential governance are essential. Yet this receives minimal attention.

Education & Onboarding (2 projects, high potential, very large gap): Privacy tools remain difficult to use. Without educational resources and better onboarding, privacy will never achieve mainstream adoption. This is perhaps the most critical gap.

Post-Quantum Crypto (1 project, high potential, massive gap): With quantum computing advancing, current cryptographic assumptions may break within years or decades. The ecosystem is dangerously unprepared.

These gaps represent both risks (unaddressed vulnerabilities) and opportunities (high-impact areas for strategic investment). Funders and organizers should explicitly target these categories with dedicated tracks, mentorship, and prizes.

Conclusion

Key Findings:

Privacy is becoming mainstream!

The data tells a clear story: privacy has moved from the margins to the mainstream of Ethereum development. With 8% of all hackathon projects focusing on privacy and 31 of 40 events producing privacy use-cases, builders are voting with their time and energy for a more private future.

Technology landscape: Zero-Knowledge proofs dominate as the primary privacy primitive, with AI-Privacy emerging as a growth area. However, secondary primitives like FHE and MPC remain underutilized, and there's dangerous underinvestment in post-quantum cryptography.

Geographic insights: Europe leads in both volume and intensity of privacy use-cases, though it's important to note that global builders travel to European events. Latin America is emerging as a strong secondary hub with privacy rates nearly matching Europe's. In-person events dramatically outperform virtual ones, producing 2x higher privacy intensity.

Domain distribution: Finance and Social domains dominate current development, which makes sense given their maturity and clear use cases. However, critical gaps exist in Governance, Healthcare, and especially Education—areas with high impact potential but minimal current investment.

Event dynamics: Mid-sized, specialized events with focused themes and strong mentorship outperform mega-events for privacy innovation. The sweet spot appears to be events with prize pools under $200K, regional or technical focus, and intimate settings that enable deep collaboration.

Strategic Recommendations:

For Funders:

  • Shift resources toward underserved high-potential categories: DAO/Governance, Education & Onboarding, and Post-Quantum Crypto

  • Support mid-sized, specialized events rather than only mega-hackathons

  • Prioritize in-person events, particularly in Europe and Latin America

  • Create dedicated tracks and mentorship programs for privacy innovation

For Organizers:

  • Study and replicate success factors from top-performing events (ETHBelgrade, ETHTokyo, ETHDam)

  • Emphasize in-person formats for maximum privacy innovation

  • Provide specialized mentorship from privacy experts

  • Create focused themes rather than broad, general hackathons

For Builders:

  • Explore underserved categories where impact potential exceeds current investment

  • Consider infrastructure and education projects, not just end-user applications

  • Experiment with underutilized primitives like FHE and MPC

  • Prepare for post-quantum threats

For the Ecosystem:

  • Recognize that privacy is no longer niche—it's mainstream and growing

  • Invest in education and onboarding to make privacy accessible

  • Build bridges between privacy research and practical implementation

  • Create career pathways for privacy-focused developers

Summary

Active pro-privacy position in Ethereum Foundation and internal organisational change helps to foster privacy development forward. Privacy Cluster Leadership Announcement and follow up org chart helps to see privacy as a fundamental value behind EF.

The data reveals both tremendous progress and critical gaps. Privacy has achieved mainstream status in Ethereum development, with hundreds of builders dedicating thousands of hours to privacy innovation. The foundation is strong: robust ZK tooling, active communities across continents, and growing awareness of privacy's importance.

However, the ecosystem must address critical vulnerabilities: the education gap that prevents mainstream adoption, the governance gap that leaves DAOs exposed, and the post-quantum gap that threatens long-term security. Success requires strategic resource allocation toward high-impact, underserved areas.

The vision is clear: a future where privacy is not an afterthought but a default, where digital sovereignty, agency, and dignity are available to all people. The 417 privacy projects from 2025's hackathons represent steps toward that future. With continued focus, strategic investment, and community commitment, privacy can evolve from a technical feature to a fundamental right embedded in the infrastructure of the decentralised web.

Useful Links

Ethereum Privacy Ecosystem Map (download)

https://files.web3privacy.info/share/ehUXsKnM

Github research repository

research/initiatives/ethereum-privacy-ecosystem at main · web3privacy/research

Contains published reports & outputs of the research efforts within Web3Privacy Now - research/initiatives/ethereum-privacy-ecosystem at main · web3privacy/research

https://github.com
research/initiatives/ethereum-privacy-ecosystem at main · web3privacy/research

Ethereum-focused projects listed on Privacy dashboard

Explorer | Web3 Privacy Now

Explore Web3 projects focused on privacy and security

https://explorer.web3privacy.info
Explorer | Web3 Privacy Now

Web3Privacy Now web

Web3Privacy Now

Advocates worldwide are uniting to make privacy fundamental pillar of the Web3 industry, transforming it into a cultural movement that champions freedom and decentralization.

http://web3privacy.info
Web3Privacy Now

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) privacy ethereum kohaku buterin ecosystem <![CDATA[Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress #2 Case Study]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/ethereum-cypherpunk-congress-2-case-study QeLG87gzEXlUosAsTs0a Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:24:32 GMT Description

Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress was a gathering of cypherpunks, privacy advocates, researchers, and developers who are building the foundations of a more private and secure Ethereum ecosystem. The congress brings together diverse voices from across the blockchain privacy landscape – cryptographers, protocol developers, activists, researchers, and educators – united by a shared commitment to advancing privacy as a fundamental right in the digital age and protecting the cypherpunk ethos within Ethereum.

Stats

  • 5000+ attendees

  • 100+ speakers

  • 50+ organisations supporting

  • 20+ sessions

    Supporting organisations

100 Speakers from leading human rights projects

Tor, Freedom Of The Press Foundation, Ethereum Foundation, Protocol Labs, Electronic Frontier Foundation and many more!

Details

On the program:

The second Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress took place in Argentina, bringing together the privacy-focused Ethereum community ahead of Devconnect week. Building on the momentum from the inaugural congress, this edition focused on critical challenges facing privacy advocates and developers in the current regulatory and technological landscape.

The program featured deep technical discussions, policy debates, and community-building sessions designed to strengthen the privacy infrastructure of Ethereum. From foundational privacy protocols to cutting-edge research, the congress provided a platform for meaningful dialogue about the future of financial privacy and digital rights.

FEEL THE ATMOSPHERE

ETHEREUM CYPHERPUNK CONGRES #2 AFTERMOVIE

What it looked like

Highlights

At the beginning, there was a message...

video here

The whole event started by the opening speech from our very own co-founders. "Since day one, three years ago, we did our best to put values and principles that brought cryptography to be developed in the first place at the center of our activity and this helped us in creating and gathering amazing human beings that are advancing human freedom online". Sharing about Web3PrivacyNow, our values, the book, many events and much more that we managed to accomplish so far.

And then? Greetings from Roman Storm, developer of the open-source privacy project Tornado Cash, explaining that he was inspired in 2019 as an Ethereum developer to solve the problem of on-chain privacy. He says the project’s goal was simple but vital: to give ordinary people true privacy on Ethereum. Storm expresses deep gratitude to the community for their emotional, financial, and political support, saying it’s the reason he can keep fighting for privacy and defending open-source developers.

"Lessons Learned from Tor" by Roger Dingledine x The Tor Project

video here

"Transparency for Tor is key" states Tor Project's co-founder Roger Dingledine in his presentation, focusing on lessons from Tor. Covering importance of anonymity and transparency, showcasing how Tor works and even user-cases showing how privacy and anonymity is essential for everyone, be it radical political activist, doctor in town and everyone in between.

Roger Dingledine delivered a keynote exploring the parallels between Tor's approach to internet privacy and Ethereum's privacy challenges. This session connected decades of cypherpunk wisdom with modern blockchain privacy needs, emphasizing the importance of building robust, censorship-resistant systems.

"Kohaku: Wallet privacy on Ethereum" by Vitalik Buterin, Nick Consigny & Kassandra

video here

Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin together with Kassandra and Nick Consigny presents new set of primitives called Kohaku. Vitalik also shares more about what will Ethereum implement for improving their privacy and Kassandra and Nick Consigny goes more into Kohaku.

"Cyberfascism: what is it and how we can fight it?" by Eva Galperin x Electronic Frontier Foundation

video here

Presentation by Eva Galperin from Electronic Frontier Foundation where she describes fascism, cyberfascism, what it is and how it can be countered by us. Discusses IBM's and Microsoft's parts in helping with surveillance and urges people to build in decentralized manner and with marginalized people in mind.

"Not My Problem" by ml_sudo x Ethereum Foundation Silviculture

video here

ml_sudo chose to speak about sexism, explaining why women should work in trustless technologies, how indirect "ghost" sexism works and shows and how to challenge it and fight it. They explore the concept of "ghost sexism," a subtle and often deniable form of bias that disproportionately affects women.

They propose that trustless technology – systems built on transparency and user control – can offer a powerful tool to combat ghost sexism. They argue that by concealing gender or leveraging verifiable systems, individuals can bypass biased evaluations and create fairer outcomes. Ultimately, the speaker passionately encourages women and other underrepresented groups to actively engage in building and shaping this technology to ensure a more equitable future.

All that, while coining the term WACK!

Vitalik Buterin x Ethereum and Naomi Brockwell x Ludlow Institute- Fireside Chat

video here

The conversation centers on the critical importance of privacy in a free and progressive society. Vitalik argues that privacy is essential for individuals to live authentically, free from constant worry about how their actions will be perceived. He highlights how barriers to privacy—in areas like finance, communication, and even personal thought—are rapidly eroding, necessitating active defence. The discussion explores privacy as a foundation for individual freedom, societal order (allowing for whistleblowing and dissent), and technological progress, emphasizing that data needs to be used responsibly.

Vitalik and Naomi stress that privacy isn't just for those who have something to hide, but for anyone who deviates from the mainstream. They advocate for a shift towards proactive privacy adoption, highlighting the potential dangers of data abuse and the need for privacy-preserving technologies. The conversation concludes with a call to action, urging viewers to embrace privacy tools and become active participants in shaping a future where privacy is protected and individual freedom is upheld.

"Protecting Developers from Mercenary Spyware Abuse" by Joan Arus x Sentinel Alliance

video here

Joan Arus, co-founder of Sentinel Alliance, warns that developers building privacy-preserving or censorship-resistant tools can become targets of advanced government surveillance, drawing on his own experience leading decentralised governance and identity projects. He explains how he and his team were spied on, hacked, and infiltrated for years using mercenary spyware like Pegasus, deemed a national security threat not for wrongdoing but for the potential future use of their tools.

Arus also argues this represents an escalation of the Tornado Cash playbook, where developers are held liable for hypothetical misuse while governments deploy unaccountable surveillance that undermines encryption, privacy, rule of law, and democracy itself. He details how ambiguous terrorism laws, illegal espionage, media leaks, and judicial processes are weaponised against developers, citing real cases where such surveillance led to deaths. In response, he describes founding Sentinel Alliance to defend victims, raise awareness, pursue legal action against spyware firms and state agencies, and establish a developer legal defence fund, urging the community to share the story and support efforts to protect open-source developers and democratic freedoms.

"Cypherpunks of the world, unite!" by Renata Avila x Open Knowledge Foundation

video here

Here Renata Avila from Open Knowledge Foundation shares her thoughts and wishes for Cypherpunk movement. Discusses emerging alliances in cryptography circles, autonomous philanthropy, but also talks about WikiLeaks as example of moment that could have shaken society and help form privacy oriented movement but in the end came up as a rather divisive one.

"From Proofs to People: the Moral Responsibility of Cryptographers" by Sofia Celi x Brave

video here

Sofia Celi, researcher at Brave reflects on the ethical and moral responsibilities of cryptography and security design, grounding her talk in Latin America’s history of state surveillance and violence, such as Operation Condor, to show how data collection has been used to enable repression.

She argues that modern digital technologies risk repeating these harms if designers ignore social context, and calls for “boring cryptography”: practical, accessible, low-cost systems built by listening to people first, especially those in underrepresented regions, rather than chasing theoretical elegance. She emphasizes expanding threat models beyond abstract network attackers to include real-world abuses like intimate partner violence and child surveillance, where everyday technologies can be weaponized despite benign intent.

David Chaum message for Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress #2 participants

video here

Legendary cryptographer made a special video-message to all new & old cypherpunks announcing productive way of countering potential AI-challenges - a collaboration between mixnets xx.network & Nym.

And many more! Want to see all of the presentations? Take a look at this playlist

How did the people like it?
Few words from our visitors:

Summary

Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress #2 successfully brought together the privacy-focused Ethereum community during a critical moment for digital rights and blockchain privacy. Held in Argentina during Devconnect week, the congress provided an intimate setting for deep technical discussions, policy debates, and community building around privacy infrastructure.

The event highlighted both the progress and challenges facing privacy advocates in the Ethereum ecosystem. With prominent voices like Roger Dingledine, Vitalik Buterin, and Naomi Brockwell, the congress bridged different aspects of the privacy movement – from Tor's foundational work to Ethereum's cutting-edge cryptographic research and mainstream privacy education.

Key themes included developer protection in hostile regulatory environments, making privacy accessible to everyday users, and advancing the technical infrastructure needed for private transactions on Ethereum. The congress reinforced the cypherpunk values at the heart of Ethereum while charting a practical path forward for privacy development.

Team

Web3Privacy Now: Mykola, PG, Coinmandeer, beth, Lucilia, Humbaba, Peter, BabyBit, Robert, Alisher, Kassandra, James....

Links

Links


]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) <![CDATA[Annual report by Web3Privacy now]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/annual-delivery-by-web3privacy-now hwjMFPdqRBqGGFGjdw2J Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:30:11 GMT United in privacy is our approach to alignment between different players, from the Tor Project to the Ethereum Foundation. Events like Cypherpunk Congress #2 with speakers from Electronic Frontier Foundation or Brave, Cypherpunk Retreat with 100 tech leaders from Bluesky to Internet Archive prove that the cypherpunk ethos is alive and evolving.

2025 - the year of care. Towards liberating privacy. Together.

EVENTS

  • 34 events + 6 third-party hackathons

  • 16 own, 18 third-party events

  • 10.000 visitors

  • 130 speakers & mentors

Highlights

Cypherpunk Congress #2 - the biggest Cypherpunk event in the world facilitated by grassroots - 4500 people: https://congress.web3privacy.info

  • 100 speakers from Eva Galperin (Electronic Frontier Foundation) to Richard Stallman (Free Software Foundation)

  • Exclusive announcements: David Chaum on mixnet partnership (xx.network + Nym), Kohaku wallet launch by Vitalik Buterin, Nicolas Consigny, Kassandra;

  • 20 partners from Ethereum Foundation to Zcash


Cypherpunk Retreat - close collaboration between 100 tech leaders: http://cypherpunk.camp

Three-day event with dedicated working groups (decentralised identity, decentralised messaging, etc). Wonderful people from Bluesky, Tor Project, Internet Archive, Oxford, Session, Ethereum Foundation, Filecoin Foundation & many more. Continued with fellowships working on, for example, stablecoin privacy, further working group on Decentralised Messaging or Identity, or partnerships like Ethereum Foundation & Tor Project (which led to "onionizing Ethereum" narrative).

Nov

Ethereum Privacy Stack x collab with PSE/EF

web: http://eps25.web3privacy.info 
talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KEdd1uR6XE&list=PLSsVHWrO8Yh2ZGBLyQRJAZNymvVCOlJJl

  • 2000+ visitors

  • 60 speakers from Vitalik Buterin to Roger Dingledine (Tor Project co-founder)

  • The biggest privacy event at Devconnect

Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress #2


web: congress.web3privacy.info 
playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKJ1ZJrkKWA&list=PLSsVHWrO8Yh06WlNcYKtIDMjPiUXJjADu

Infinite Privacy x PG

Cosy meetup alongside Safe Foundation, WomnX privacy, Zisk, Fluidkey: https://luma.com/f89mul0v

Privacy Hub
https://forum.devcon.org/t/arg-community-hub-privacy-on-ethereum/7858/

Oct

Sep

August

  • Privacy Summit (Crecimiento) x collab

July

June

May

Apr

Feb

ADVOCACY

Roman Storm [ex-Tornado Cash] Cypherpunk Congress #2 opening speech

Joan Arus from Sentinel Alliance on Pegasus/NSO group targeting open-source developers & how we can fight back.

PROJECTS

MEDIA

  1. Videos



    What does privacy mean to you?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WTpGo8nwnA

    Over 100 post-event talks

    • Crafted Tornado Cash documentary concept

  1. Articles

  1. Maps


  1. Neo-cypherpunk assets

    - starter kit:

    - manifesto

    - design materials:

    RESEARCH

    Ethereum Privacy Ecosystem Mapping

    GitHub https://github.com/web3privacy/research/tree/main/initiatives/ethereum-privacy-ecosystem/notes

    Midyear report https://x.com/web3privacy/status/1949831260991287567

    Privacy audit https://hackmd.io/2IRrRsLcQyKo1XOwAFABBA

COLLABORATIONS

  • Gitcoin x PSE

  • Drips

  • Funding The Commons

  • PSE

  • Protocol Labs

  • Gnosis x Dappcon

  • Logos

  • Womxn In Privacy

GRANTS

received grants

MEMBERSHIP

  • Protocol Labs & Gnosis

PARTNERSHIPS

  • 24: Zcash, Crecimiento, Aztec, Vocdoni, Enclave, Human.tech, Status, Fhenix, Mask, Logos, Brevis, Consensys Diligence, Book of Ethereum, Swarm, Intmax, Calimero, Midnight, Nillion, idOS, Rarimo, Namada, Ethereum Community Fund, Ethereum Foundation, Edge

BRANDING
Updated our branding

COMMUNITY

OTHER

Thank you to every contributor.
Change won't be possible without your time, energy, effort, attention & care.

Yours, Web3Privacy now collective.
PG, Coinmandeer, Babybit, Beth, Mykola, Recursor, Max, Peter, Robert, Jensei, Lucilia.

See you in Mumbai @ Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress #3

register: https://luma.com/spsnos9t

]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) report cypherpunk privacy ethereum <![CDATA[Week in the Privacy News: 46]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/week-in-the-privacy-news-46 SrrMj1dnA9dWoxiz1gad Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:37:17 GMT While we here at Web3Privacy Now are pretty busy with last preps for our Buenos Aires Congress, some big things happened.

Be it drop of new Debuan, ZCash value skyrocketing or Mullvad shifting their browser policy, we believe you can find whatever sparks your interest in this week's newsletter. So enjoy and we hope to see you in Argentina!

New tool of the week

Insights

Knowledge

Inspiration: Going On(Line) an offering of media from the web

Inspiration: Going Off(Line) an offering of IRL events


]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) privacy security decentralisation zcash ethereum <![CDATA[Week in the Privacy News: 45]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/week-in-the-privacy-news YLOKYyhwhKHx2HWaJs4c Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:34:23 GMT Good Monday, people of web3! Gitcoin Privacy Round, that we help to curate btw, has officially ended and there are great results! Take a look at what projects and tools are making biggest rounds in privacy (pun intended) and enjoy today's newsletter. 

New tool of the week

Insights

Knowledge

Inspiration: Going On(Line) an offering of media from the web

Inspiration: Going Off(Line) an offering of IRL events

(new/changes in bold)


]]> web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now) <![CDATA[The Neo-Cypherpunk Era begins now]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/the-neo-cypherpunk-era-begins-now YhjS8Lv6vMWee6mOUkVl Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:48:19 GMT

  • Generational Change

    The world is constantly in a state of change. The nature of activism has been transformed by the internet—a single social media post can bring millions of people into the streets.

    The term "Cypherpunk" was coined 30 years ago by Jude Milhon. It means taking an active role within a connected world. It is the empowerment that comes with privacy, solidarity, and cryptography.

    Back then, the internet was in its infancy. To say that It has changed over 30 years is a gross understatement. — mobile phones, TikTok, online gaming, blockchain, and LLMs have redefined our world, with the human-as-a-product at the center.

    This hyper-connectedness requires a fresh & new approach to cypherpunk—one that is culturally relevant for 2025.

    Welcome... Neo-Cypherpunk — one who actively uses & advocates for digital tools with baked-in cryptography as a base for just internet.

    Neo-Cypherpunk movement welcomes newcomers from every corner of the world, young & mature, non-technical & technical to celebrate human agency on the Internet.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-ehC8545Q0

    Starting Point: One Tool is Enough

    We live in a world surrounded by online critics. They add stress to the use of liberation technologies. Especially against a backdrop of media focused on negative news and social media battles.

    The time has come to reclaim our right to joy.
    You don't have Linux or the Tor Browser? No problem. Start small - try a private browser like Brave or a Google alternative search engine - StartPage, DuckDuckGo...

    Useful resource - software & hardware recommendations by experts: https://stacks.web3privacy.info

    Neo-Cypherpunk     can start with an AdBlocker — a simple tool for the mindful care of your attention, a way to disconnect from the advertising-driven internet.

    This new movement doesn’t discriminate by technology — it embraces all levels of neo-cypherpunk maturity, from curious newcomers to seasoned practitioners.

    Its goal is to counter toxic criticism and foster connection through care and mutual support.

    Mykola Siusko "Make Ethereum Cypherpunk - one transactions at a time" https://mirror.xyz/0x0f1F3DAf416B74DB3DE55Eb4D7513a80F4841073/u4ELDt0YkpCe272kD2f5kTThJsILg1pgaOeBsTSGV0I

    The joy of neo-cypherpunk comes from creating a strong, thriving and healthy community together.

    Neo is a Celebratory Culture

    Privacy communities are often filled with gloom and doom communication. They frequently mention Orwell, mass surveillance, and North Korean hackers. Such spaces promote fear and a lack of control over the situation ("I am so small, and Big Brother is all-powerful").

    Neo-cypherpunk strives to create a favorable environment of practical opportunities, interesting people, active mutual support, and mindfulness.

    We believe that the "doomer" mindset is a narrow & limited view of the liberatory internet. On the contrary, neo-Cypherpunk places joy at the center of the movement—now you control the internet, not the other way around.


    Diversity makes neo playful

    The overwhelming majority of the first wave of Cypherpunks were American men with privileged access to technology. Neo-Cypherpunk is open to the world in its beautiful diversity.

    We want to see Neo-Cypherpunks from Hong Kong, Kyiv, and Bogota, to Addis Ababa & Buenos Aires.

    We want to see 15 yo Neo-Cypherpunks next to 70 yo.

    We want to see all gender inclusive into Neo-Cypherpunk movement.

    Ying Tong @ Web3Privacy Berlin meetup: https://x.com/web3privacy/status/1805874733168165249

    Jaromil Rojo @ Web3Privacy summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bl2C11iLFA

    Limitations is a tool of control. Being open-minded - freedom.

    Silviculture society is an example of diversity within Neo-cypherpunk narrative.

    https://ethereum.foundation/silviculture-society

    Anyone, yes anyone can become a Neo-Cypherpunk - artist, cleaner, poet, delivery person, migrant, developer, musician, you.

    2025: Memes matter

    Memetic storytelling has incredible power. It unites thousands of people, moves across the oceans and continents in a second, migrates from digital to physical form, stays in history.

    Neo-Cypherpunk movement craves on memes. Digital creativity is at the heart of positive change. Plus humour is a powerful tool against contemporary challenges.

    Look closely at privacy & freedom-focused memes. They shouldn't be depressive & "surveillance gloomsday". Neo-Cypherpunk encourages everyone to develop a new positive language of digital storytelling - playful, fun, open and striking.

    Internet empowerment can absolutely start from a meme...

    Solidarity at the Heart of Neo-Cypherpunk Movement

    Have you realised that internet is so complex phenomenon?! Full of thousands of actors from internet providers to cloud infrastructure companies. Imagine an individual trying to navigate this complex maze.

    And now imagine a collective helping each other start week with a new tips & tricks how to enjoy free internet, fix compelling issues, educate newcomers, share memes & build a stunning visual culture.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhM4fxfZkk&t=288s

    Together isn't an empty word, but solidarity with thousands of others who want change. They speak different language, have different beliefs, comes from radically opposite cultures that can be united within a Neo-Cypherpunk movement.

    Zero-knowledge cryptography was embodied in Zcash that inspired zero-knowledge revolution in Ethereum & beyond. Cryptography is a network of complex & beautiful relationships that evolve in time.

    From Collective to Neo-Cypherpunk Orgs

    Neo-Cypherpunk approach imagines organisations applying it's values. Towards more ethical, open, & humanistic world.

    The main difference that these organisations aren't based on extractivist & exploitative, but serve broader public interests. They can be profitable, but because of the just internet contribution.

    Nym can be seen as a prototype of a neo-cypherpunk organisation full of activists from Harry Halpin to Chelsea Manning.

    Neo-Cypherpunk organisations amplify

    - just internet imaginaries
    - privacy as a human right
    - ethical relations to empoyees, contractors & partners
    - serve public-first & only then other stakeholders

    Yes, it's hard for organisations to turn neo-cypherpunks overnight. That's why it can be an evolutionary process from "zero to hero". Following, for example, DefiPunk criteria (below).

    DefiPunk course https://academy.web3privacy.info/p/defi-punk-101-finance-with-cypherpunk-values

    Lefteris Karapetsas at Web3 Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfMOY9_ucY&t=1s

    Imagine brave new world

    We live in a world where too many people, organisations & governments wants to limit our imagination. Usually they drag us into a glorious past that doesn't exist anymore. And don't propose a compelling vision of the future.

    Neo-cypherpunks are open-minded towards all possible forms & shapes of liberation storytelling. They go beyond conservative worldview ("one tool fixes all problems", "everyone has money to buy a cool phone", "all people have unlimited internet", "The USA is center of the world").

    We embrace different types of "Cypherpunks": SapphirePunk, Post-cypherpunk, Care-punks, you name it!

    Contributing to positive-sum internet game? Choose multiplayer mode & press a play button.

    Neo-Cypherpunk time starts now.


    • ]]>     web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now)     <![CDATA[Week in the Privacy News: Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2025]]> https://paragraph.com/@web3privacy/week-in-the-privacy-news-oct-6-oct-12-2025 dZoPIlqZ9Jsl4T7OTl43 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:58:40 GMT Going against the censorship, as we ought to given this week's theme, we bring you info about new NymVPN update that brings build-in censorship resistance features. Thanks to the EFF's series StopCensoringAbortion you can also learn more about Meta's attempts to silent pro-abortion activists and so much more. So brew yourself some hot beverage of your choice, stay relaxed and look into what is new:

    New tool of the week

    Insights

    Knowledge

    Inspiration: Going On(Line) an offering of media from the web

    Inspiration: Going Off(Line) an offering of IRL events

    (new/changes in bold)


    ]]>     web3privacy@newsletter.paragraph.com (Web3Privacy now)