Vitalik’s Privacy Play: Ethereum’s New ‘Invisible’ Wallet? 😳

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Key Highlights

  • Vitalik Buterin unveiled Kohaku, a privacy framework that’s basically Ethereum’s new “stealth mode” – because who needs privacy unless you’re dodging your mom? 🎩
  • A live demo showed users hiding funds like they’re playing hide-and-seek with the NSA. Default privacy? Finally, Ethereum’s not leaving us exposed like our ex’s Instagram stories. 🚫👀
  • Kohaku uses elliptic curve cryptography (aka mathematical magic tricks) and zero-knowledge proofs to let institutions “prove they’re innocent” without revealing anything. Because nothing says trust like a wallet that acts like it’s got nothing to hide. 🎩✨

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin introduced Kohaku, a privacy framework so open-source it’s practically a public service announcement. Built by developers with the Ethereum Foundation’s support, it’s here to let users protect their info like it’s the last crumpet at a tea party. 🍞

At Devcon 2025, Buterin admitted Ethereum is in the “very last mile stage” of privacy fixes – which is code for “we’re still bad at this but hey, we’re trying.” He also noted the network is “still behind,” which, surprise, is always true until it’s not. 🏃♂️💨

THE WORD IS OUT! 🚨

Big congrats to @ethereumfndn, @VitalikButerin, @kassandraETH for demoing the Kohaku wallet. Onchain privacy is entering a new stage – or as we like to call it, “pretending you don’t have crypto.” 🎩

Privacy, by default, right in the comfort of your wallet. Because nothing says ‘freedom’ like a wallet that hides your money better than your dad hides his snacks. 🍪

Ethereum is for privacy. Or at least, it’s trying really hard now. 🙌

– privacypools (@0xprivacypools) November 16, 2025

How Kohaku Brings Privacy Tools That Aren’t Just “Meh”

Buterin stressed developers need to “get their act together” if users are to feel safe. The Ethereum Foundation is leading the charge, because apparently, letting centralized companies handle privacy is as bad an idea as trusting your teenager with your credit card. 💳

Kohaku gives devs simple tools to build private wallets – think of it as Legos for privacy. Future plans include mixnets to hide traffic and zero-knowledge browsers. Because nothing says “innovation” like pretending your transactions don’t exist. 🎭

In a live demo, Buterin showed how a Kohaku wallet can hide funds using Railgun. The goal? To make privacy as easy as clicking “opt-in” while sipping your tea. No more complicated steps – unless you’re trying to avoid your mom checking your bank account. ☕

The Kohaku GitHub page boasts early packages for Railgun and Privacy Pools, which let users obscure funds while “proving they’re innocent.” Privacy Pools, built by 0xbow, uses “association lists” to stop criminals from hiding among regular users. Because nothing says “compliance” like making sure the bad guys can’t blend in. 🚨

Buterin Explains Why Privacy Is Basically Freedom (Or Just Good Etiquette)

Buterin told the crowd, “Privacy is freedom,” and added we need space to live without governments, companies, or your nosy neighbor judging us. Kohaku uses temporary addresses to hide sender-receiver links. It’s like sending a postcard that only the recipient can read – but with more math and less stamps. 💌

Users create a master key, and when money is sent, wallets generate a shared secret using elliptic curve cryptography. This secret creates a fresh address only the receiver controls. And yes, it supports zero-knowledge proofs so institutions can “check stuff” without seeing anything. Because nothing says “trust” like letting banks verify your wealth without knowing it exists. 🤷♂️

Last month, the Ethereum Foundation launched the Privacy Cluster, a team of 47 experts focusing on making privacy a main feature. They even renamed their team to “Privacy Stewards of Ethereum” – because nothing says commitment like changing your name to sound like a medieval guild. 🏰

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2025-11-18 20:01