Privacy is dead in crypto, people that know, know. People who don’t know, should know.
That’s why CryptoCanal’s ETHDam Conference will gather people from all sides of the blockchain spectrum to discuss the future of privacy and security.
“As a privacy and security-focused conference, we encourage panels on the harder discussion topics,” explains ETHDam organiser Eleonore Blanc. “Privacy is normal, and we need to talk about it.”
Not afraid to be political
The conference will take place against the heated backdrop of Alexey Pertsev’s trial. Arrested in August 2022 in the Netherlands, Pertsev is accused of laundering $1.2 billion through his open-source protocol Tornado Cash.
The ETHDam program has taken a clear and unapologetic political stance at this pivotal moment.
“Alexey and the Tornado Cash team have played a pivotal role in enhancing financial privacy,” says Blanc. “Most of the crypto industry is afraid to talk about the case in public arenas. But Alexey’s case, Roman’s case…they will have rippling impacts on not just our industry, but on privacy and tech regulation everywhere. This conference is happening at one of the most pivotal times for the evolution of this ecosystem.”
In the dynamic space of ETHDam, privacy and security will take centre stage, with groundbreaking discussions on hacks, recovery, and the revolutionary work of figures like Pertsev.
Industry leaders such as Amir Taaki (DarkFi), Ameen Soleimani (0xBow/Privacy Pools), Aron van Ammers (Outlier Ventures) and Philip Gradwell (Chainalysis) will discuss a range of topics. From regulation to scaling, cypherpunk ideals to privacy infrastructures, no one is shying away from difficult conversations.
ETHDam is also encouraging hackers to build the next generation of privacy tools and development platforms: “Privacy-first products are desperately needed, but yet to be widely adopted,” Blanc explains.
What to expect from ETHDam
In tandem with the conference, ETHDam is also hosting a hackathon, alongside partners such as Oasis Network, NEAR Protocol and Trail of Bits.
Not only will hackers be building for bounties, but there will also be the OtterTrack, a special track for existing projects. Accepted projects must add a feature, and will have the opportunity to present their product on the main stage (though investment is not guaranteed).
With so many bounty options and its privacy-centred messaging, the ETHDam hackathon has garnered the attention of the hacking community — over 300 hackers are expected to attend.
Over the course of the three-day event, attendees will have the rare opportunity to listen to raw, unfiltered discussions about the policies and technologies that protect (or threaten) the future of personal privacy. For anyone who cannot attend the event live, recordings will be shared after the conference.
“We’re driven to make a positive impact on the world,” says Blanc, “and that means we’ll do whatever it takes to make our content and education accessible.”
ETHDam is a conference and hackathon taking place in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands from 12-14 April 2024. The event will gather more than 600 participants at Pakhuis de Zwijger, bringing together the best privacy and security builders in the crypto industry.
ETHDam is powered by CryptoCanal, an education and events platform growing in Amsterdam, spreading its roots to Rotterdam and Zürich. Committed to upholding cypherpunk values like privacy, sovereignty, and censorship resistance, its mission is to foster learning, connection, and collaboration among individuals in the crypto space.