Zero Knowledge Pioneer: 25 Years of Cryptography to Ethereum’s Privacy Future
An Interview with Anish Mohammed
For Episode 3 of our “10 Years of Ethereum” celebration, we spoke with Anish Mohammed—cryptographer, security expert, and privacy protocol pioneer. With over 25 years in cryptography, Anish has been contributing to the space long before “crypto” was a recognized term. From organizing early Bitcoin workshops in London to co-founding privacy protocols and now addressing AI existential risk, Anish has consistently been at the leading edge of technological change.
From Bitcoin Workshops to Cryptographic Pioneering
Anish’s early involvement with Bitcoin community building laid the foundation for his later work in privacy and security protocols. His experience underscores a key insight: successful Layer 1 blockchains operate much like religions—they require committed believers willing to learn and propagate their values. As he puts it, “All layer ones are like religions—you need believers willing to learn your language.”
Demystifying Zero Knowledge Proofs
One of the highlights of our conversation was Anish’s simple yet powerful explanation of zero knowledge proofs. Using a hotel room analogy, he broke down this often-intimidating concept into something anyone can understand, demonstrating how cryptographic tools can enable privacy without compromising security. He also highlighted why current blockchain privacy models are unsustainable in the long run, especially as the industry grapples with increasing surveillance risks.
Scaling and Security: Ethereum Layer 2s
Anish discussed how Layer 2 solutions inherit security from Ethereum, allowing for scalable applications without compromising on decentralization. This approach, he argues, is essential to the next phase of blockchain adoption, as it balances efficiency with trustlessness.
Privacy, AI, and Cryptographic Guardrails
Beyond blockchain, Anish is deeply involved in exploring the intersection of cryptography and AI risk. He emphasized the urgent need for cryptographic guardrails to mitigate the threats posed by artificial general intelligence. “We have a running risk of AGI, and between now and then, we need cryptographic guardrails,” he warned.
His work also touches on DeSci (Decentralized Science), where he’s building crypto tools for scientists. While he sees promising opportunities, he offers a realistic view of its limitations—especially when compared to the scale and resources of traditional pharmaceutical industries.
Reflections on Privacy and the Future
Anish’s reflections on privacy were particularly resonant: “Can you imagine everyone knowing every transaction in your lifetime? Nobody needs that.” For him, advancing privacy tools is not just about technology—it’s about safeguarding fundamental human rights in a digital world.
About Anish Mohammed
Anish is a veteran cryptographer, early Bitcoin community member, former Ripple advisor, co-founder of Panther Protocol, and current builder of verifiable platforms. His interdisciplinary work spans cryptography, AI safety, and making advanced privacy tools accessible to domain experts.
About the Series
This conversation is part of our “10 Years of Ethereum” celebration—a volunteer-led project showcasing the builders who shaped Ethereum’s journey from an idea to a world-changing platform. Over 10 weeks, we’re sharing in-depth conversations with key figures from the ecosystem.
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“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay