Latest Talks & Videos

In this forward-looking panel, Eric Sirion, Max Hillebrand, Max Hampshire, and Liam Eagen dive into the future of freedom technologies. Building on Paul’s concept of “Hacking Ahead” and Max’s insights on freedom tech, the panelists explore the tools and innovations society will need to protect digital freedoms, address path dependencies, and navigate diverse approaches to a more open and autonomou.. (2024-11-13)

In late 2021, while Julian Assange bravely endured the harsh conditions of England’s supermax Belmarsh prison, with his health and legal situation rapidly deteriorating, a group of crypto-native cypherpunks united to fight for his freedom. Harnessing crypto’s most powerful tools for coordination and capital formation, we raised more than 17k ETH by forming a DAO with one goal: to free Assange by a.. (2024-11-13)

Join Amir Taaki, Jaromil, and Vecna as they examine the 40-year legacy of free software and its profound impact on society. This engaging panel discusses how open-source principles have shaped digital freedoms and considers the challenges and future of a truly free digital world. (2024-11-13)

The next 500 years will be an era of reforestation, the restoration of power in communities, and the re-empowerment of society. DarkFi helps us get there. (2024-11-12)

Trillions of dollars in illicit financial flows slosh around our financial system today, facilitated by the most powerful centralized institutions. Current efforts to address IFFs are ineffective and result in harmful side effects for some of the most vulnerable in society. In this talk, we investigate the causes and impact of IFFs. Despite what certain bankers and politicians might have told you,.. (2024-11-12)

This intervention draws from 30 years of hacktivism history to trace possible future for a movement that has found into cryptography its most powerful empowerment opportunity. An old cage is rusting: the billion dollar cybersecurity farce, the trusted computing straitjacket, and the paternalist throne of die-hard cyberemperors. (2024-11-12)

In this article, we propose a new form of DAO governance that uses a sequential auction mechanism to overcome entrenched control issues that have emerged for DAOs by creating a regime of temporary contestable control. The mechanism avoids potential public choice problems inherent in voting approaches but at the same time provides a vehicle that can enhance and secure value that inheres to DAO voti.. (2024-11-12)

In an era where digital privacy, decentralization, and resistance to authority are under siege, "Hardcore Cypherpunk Values" revisits the uncompromising principles of the Cypherpunk movement. As cryptography becomes commodified and blockchain technologies scale, many core values are being diluted by corporate interests, state regulations, and user complacency. This talk cuts through the noise, ret.. (2024-11-12)

What motivates us to do what we do? How do we find meaning in doing it? What makes us choose what we choose? Can we do better? What is important? Can we thrive and feel excellent, regardless of particular outcomes? (2024-11-12)

These efforts of ours go far beyond computer systems: we have a whole world to hack. Our model of golden-ruled decentralization is a fundamentally better way of organizing human life than the regimentation that has been thrust upon us; it not only harmonizes with what we are but improves us rather than damaging us, as the dominating system has for so long. (2024-11-12)

Using technology is often difficult even without security or privacy considerations. Normal or even fairly robust security and privacy requirements make it even harder to effectively use technology. Yet, most of the time, the there are identified vulnerabilities even if those requirements are met -- these attacks are just considered to be uneconomic or beyond the resources or motivations of the at.. (2024-11-12)

There's a war on general computation, software is eating the world and privacy is dead. Who owns your data and what do they do with it? (2024-11-12)

When writing Bitcoin applications, developers often use test networks to make sure it's working correctly. The general public doesn't know that they even exist though they could find them valuable. The goal of this talk is to spread awareness of test networks, their value beyond development and basics of their use. (2024-11-12)

Crypto was built on a web of trust by like-minded nerds. Today, we don't recognize the field anymore: it's been coopted by lizard-brains and their zero-sum money games. Those not coopted by toxic memes still remember why we started out together. Our mission is not yet fulfilled, the promised land has not yet been reached, all in spite of the positive propaganda eminating from the new "fintech elit.. (2024-11-12)

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Every day we make decisions but what good are choices if we can't access all our options? We may feel empowered by believing we've made choices based on our desires and identity, but in reality, most choices are limited by design. Whether it's choosing between a Samsung or an iPhone, using Twitter or Telegram, or preferring Apple over Microsoft, these choices are illusions. (2024-11-12)

Michael does his yearly wrap-up of the pulse of the community. (2024-11-12)

Thanks to the Internet, humanity is changing. I want to take you on a journey to understand this change, what types of crowds exist, and how to work with them to change a centralized system (like our current one). Then, I will switch to the FOSS world to see what good YOU can do on a big scale for humankind. (2024-11-12)

The internet is broken. We want free stuff, so we are the product. The datacenters are not free. Our identities, our social graphs, our channels and often our revenue are either owned or passed through intermediaries, who can flip the switch - and we're gone. There are ways to take our online lives back, but it needs a bit of a cypherpunk mindset, and willingness to experiment. Reticulum is a low-.. (2024-11-12)

Phone numbers are as retro today as FAX or disco parties. But what can be done with them in an age where people other than hipsters or steampunkers use them? (2024-11-12)

The workshop is for EU citizens and aims to explain how it is possible to live a comfortable life as a digital crypto nomad, thanks to your favorite crypto, anywhere in the world, including Europe: (2024-11-12)

If there was any doubt before, the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear: digital life is real life. Our lives exist on the Web no less than they do on the streets. But while the streets are governed by the state, the Internet lacks a formal governing body. (2024-11-12)

The US Government is on the verge to declare self-custodial ownership of Bitcoin a felony. With the latest Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet arrests, the government wants to force down overly broad and exceeding laws that it pulls out of its rear end constantly, claiming everything is now a EMESSBEE, therefore VASPs are coming to your Frying Pan and you will need a license for that. Samourai Wallet.. (2024-11-12)

At HCPP19, Travin Keith spoke about the broken and dehumanizing immigration systems around the world through his first-had experience as well as some relevant data uncovered as he tried to find a new home in the world. Now, 5 years later and having gained a new passport, among other things, he has solved many problems, encountered new ones, and deals with some of the same ones he had before. Howev.. (2024-11-12)

This talk explores cutting-edge privacy technologies emerging in response to worldwide digital surveillance and control. Starting with China's digital landscape, we'll expand to examine global challenges and solutions in the fight for online privacy and free speech. (2024-11-12)