In the 49th episode of Cointelegraph’s podcast, “Hashing It Out,” host Elisha Owusu Akyaw and guest Antoni Zolciak, co-founder of Aleph Zero, explore the intricate world of privacy within the Web3 ecosystem, focusing specifically on projects that prioritize privacy. Zolciak, who has extensive knowledge of privacy protocols, discusses the challenges and advancements in maintaining privacy in an increasingly digital era. The episode also delves into the philosophical and technical foundations of privacy and examines its implications for individuals and institutions.
Zolciak emphasizes that privacy is a fundamental right that has lost its significance because people are willing to exchange their privacy for free services. However, the issue lies in the fact that most users are unaware of how much of their data they are giving up and the potential consequences.
As the co-founder of Aleph Zero, Zolciak highlights the importance of privacy in the Web3 space, as user experience plays a crucial role in determining how individuals protect their data. He explains that most users struggle to understand privacy in Web3 because they are unable to distinguish between pseudonymous and anonymous transactions. Additionally, many users are unaware of the distinction between privacy coins and privacy-enhancing blockchain infrastructure, such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs).
Zolciak argues that recent events, such as the delisting of Monero (XMR) by major exchanges like Binance, are a result of the ecosystem’s popularity and growth, as well as the regulations it has attracted. He suggests that there is a general consensus that removing projects like Monero is a response to the increasing regulatory scrutiny. However, Zolciak points out that privacy-centric projects like Zcash (ZEC), which actively communicate and work towards compliance, remain listed.
Looking ahead, Zolciak believes that privacy will become a default feature in the blockchain industry with the emergence of ZK-proofs. Additionally, he predicts that “killer applications” like privacy-enhanced decentralized finance applications will drive the adoption of privacy in the space.
To listen to the full episode of “Hashing It Out,” visit Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or TuneIn. For more Web3 podcasts, explore Cointelegraph’s growing catalog.
Please note that this article is intended for general information purposes only and should not be considered as legal or investment advice. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph.