BTCTKVR: Privacy Magazine Makes Crypto Cypherpunk Again
As cryptocurrency adoption grows, the cypherpunk spirit appears to be fading. The crypto anarchists who started it all often find themselves outnumbered and have their voices drowned out by misguided speculators who are more than willing to surrender their privacy and sovereignty in exchange for some price pumps.
However, these cypherpunk principles are much more than an expression of OG sentiments — they are a return to first principles and the initial social contract which turned Bitcoin into an unstoppable global phenomenon.
This groundbreaking magazine, open sourced and made available to the entire world today, comprises 154 pages of expert insights and practical guides. The entire content is available freely under the Creative Commons Zero license – which means that you can read, copy, modify, translate, print, and even sell without asking for permission.
The goal is to spread information about financial privacy all around the world, through the power of open source knowledge!
BTCTKVR: Privacy Edition includes 32 contributions from 30 different authors, and covers the privacy features of popular cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Monero, Zcash, Zano, Litecoin, Alephium, Nym, Beam, and Firo.
Exploring the Depths of Privacy:
The magazine features an array of articles:
Bitcoin Privacy: Articles explore the technical limitations of Bitcoin privacy, how they are supplemented with CoinJoin technology, and why setting up BTCPay Server and Wasabi Wallet might be a good idea.
Monero Privacy: Two excellent articles, written by community members Untraceable and Tuxsudo, explain the technical and philosophical intricacies of the world’s leading privacy coin.
Litecoin Privacy: Thanks to the addition of MWEB (Nimble Wimble Extension Block), Litecoin is now the most liquid and widely-adopted privacy coin. Read the article by Chris on Crypto to understand how it works.
Zcash & Firo: Insights into zero-knowledge proofs and their implications for user privacy. The most avant-garde of privacy cryptocurrencies get their moment in the spotlight, with three excellent dedicated articles.
Zano & Beam: The future of DeFi looks promising, with confidential assets that user can transfer without revealing any public information about amounts or the parties involved. Think about the limitless potential of building private internet companies, which issue shares and pay dividends without letting any outsiders know.
BTCPay Setup: A step-by-step setup guide for BTCPay Server, written by anml_litecoin, will teach you how to receive payments with maximum privacy.
Philosophical Underpinnings:
Beyond the technical considerations, BTCTKVR: Privacy Edition highlights the philosophical necessity of financial privacy in a digital world. The magazine posits that privacy is not just a feature but a fundamental right that’s crucial for the protection of individual freedoms.
A Broad, Non-Tribal Perspective:
The publication includes contributions from:
Josh Swihart, CEO of Electric Coin Company, who offers unique insights into the future of Zcash.
Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of Starkware, who explains the scalability and privacy benefits of ZK STARKs.
Naomi Brockwell and Joel Valenzuela, known for their advocacy in privacy and freedom of transactions.
Most notably, the magazine features the works of grassroots cypherpunks, bringing fresh perspectives to the privacy discourse.
A Unique Visual Experience:
Illustrations by Annie bring a unique flavor to the magazine, with Pepe the Frog leading readers through the articles in a comic book style. This artistic choice aims to make the topic of privacy more approachable, using humor and satire to engage readers at multiple levels.
Launch and Distribution:
BTCTKVR: Privacy Edition was officially unveiled at MoneroTopia on November 16th 2024, where the initial batch of 100 physical copies was distributed. The magazine is now accessible globally online, so anyone can read it without any barriers.
Call to Action:
This publication isn't just about sharing knowledge; it's a call to action for cryptocurrency enthusiasts worldwide to understand and use privacy techniques. Blockchains were made to liberate us from central control, not to create panopticons for governments and corporations. So the more people learn how to protect their financial privacy, the faster the world achieves liberation via freedom of transactions.
Availability:
Digital Copy: Available for free download at https://bitcoin-takeover.com/privacymag
Physical Copy: While some copies will get printed for privacy-related events (MoneroTopia, MoneroKon), everyone is encouraged to print their own magazines in order to spread the knowledge. But if you really want to order a print, you can send an e-mail.
Print your own magazine: https://github.com/VladdyC/privacymag
About BTCTKVR:
The BTCTKVR project started out with the Bitcoin Takeover podcast (February 2019 - Present) and the BTCKVR magazines (July 2021 - Present). It aims to provide information to people who genuinely want to use the power of Bitcoin to improve the world beyond the memes and hopium-infused narratives.
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact bitcointakeover@protonmail.com