Devcon diaries: Privacy, panels, and playful moments

Devcon may have wrapped up, but its impact is still buzzing - this year it wasn’t just about innovations —it was about making privacy real for the here and now. From thought-provoking discussions to lighthearted moments, we walked away inspired, informed, and ready to build. Here’s a glimpse into Labyrinth’s journey through the highlights, hot takes, and fun of Devcon 2024.

Fireside chat: Privacy meets compliance

Our founder, Amit Chaudhary, joined Peymann, the founder of Fairblock, in an engaging fireside chat moderated by Christopher Goes. Together, they unpacked some of the most pressing issues around decentralized compliance, privacy tools for institutional users, and the tricky balance between transparency and privacy.

One big takeaway? Privacy isn’t just about hiding—it’s about protecting users while meeting compliance demands. That’s where Labyrinth thrives.

Paul Brody’s vision for privacy in business

Paul Brody of EY delivered a powerful talk on privacy needs in the business world, zeroing in on two key areas:

• Asset transfers and payments.
• Terms of agreements within smart contracts.

Brody highlighted a major challenge: the long-term traceability issues with pseudo-privacy and mixers. His call for sustainable solutions like ZK-proof technology couldn’t have been clearer. This aligns perfectly with Labyrinth’s mission to deliver private, compliant DeFi solutions for the modern world.

Ameen Soleimani’s shoutout to Labyrinth

Here’s a moment that made our day: Ameen Soleimani from 0xBow praised Labyrinth as a “great solution for privacy.”Hearing this from one of the most respected voices in the space reinforces why we’re here—to build real, effective solutions for privacy challenges today.

Hot takes from Devcon

The conversation wasn’t just about tech; it was about making bold moves. Here’s what stood out:

• “No more research papers that might not see real-world applications for another 5+ years. We’re building now!”

• Industry critiques, from skepticism about FHE (fully homomorphic encryption) to challenges in privacy solutions for CBDCs, were flying left and right.

• Ethereum needs to prioritize privacy: While scaling dominated the agenda, some argued that financial privacy is the real foundation of freedom. The belief? Ethereum must go all-in on privacy, even if it means sacrificing some scalability. After all, a global financial backbone isn’t complete without robust privacy protections.

The response was electric, with supporters like @nymproject chiming in:

“There are only two types of people who don’t care about privacy: the ignorant and the watchers. Let’s build better.”

We couldn’t agree more. Privacy isn’t optional; it’s essential for Ethereum to fulfill its promise as a global economic layer.

• Is FHE a fud?

Privacy tech enthusiasts shared some strong opinions on Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE):

• FHE offers confidentiality but lacks anonymity. ZK delivers both, making it the go-to for private DeFi transactions. Why settle for half the solution when ZK is solving the full privacy challenge? "Other Cryptography solutions are cheaper, less resource intensive, and could have more practical solution" that's the comment on a Twitter post by @defi0xjeff
• "Simpler cryptography solutions like MPC (Multi-Party Computation) are already delivering value in DeFi, saving users money and protecting trades from MEV attacks."

The takeaway? Practical privacy solutions are where the focus should be—building tools that work now, not decades from now.

Alex Page’s take on privacy tools

“Nobody cares about privacy, which is why we need to build tools developers can integrate seamlessly.

This pragmatic perspective was echoed across Devcon: privacy tools must be developer-friendly and easy to implement to gain widespread adoption.

Expert-level talks worth exploring

Devcon also delivered deeper dives into advanced privacy topics:

• “Making Ethereum Cypherpunk Again” explored Ethereum’s roots and why privacy must remain a core value.
• “The Evolution of ZKPs: 1985–2013” took us through the fascinating history of ZK-proof technology.
• “Exploring Proof of Personhood: Privacy, Biometrics, and Ethereum” offered a glimpse into privacy-preserving identity solutions.

The fun side of Devcon

The foodie chronicles

If Devcon had a theme song, it would be titled “Eat, Build, Repeat.” From local delicacies to a global buffet, the food was an experience in itself.

Tuk tuk rides & swag flex

Navigating Devcon in style meant hopping into a Tuk Tuk, a quick and quirky way to get around. 

The swag this year also brought its A-game, from cleverly designed merch to meme-worthy materials that became instant collectibles.

Memes & moments

The event was full of lighthearted moments and inside jokes that captured the spirit of the community. Devcon isn’t just about code and cryptography; it’s about connection.

Devcon 2024 reinforced a clear truth: Privacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether it’s businesses demanding confidentiality or users seeking protection, the world is ready for practical, sustainable solutions that work today.

Labyrinth is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, building tools that bridge privacy, compliance, and ease of use. Devcon wasn’t just an event—it was a call to action. And we’re here to answer it.

Let’s build together.