Privacy Is Normal: Everyday Applications of Commit-and-Reveal Threshold Encryption

My talk explores everyday uses of decentralized commit-and-reveal threshold encryption beyond preventing malicious MEV, such as auctions, time-lock gifts, RFPs, betting, voting, bounties, and more. I'll review current and future projects, explain why decentralized en/decryption matters. I'll balance accessibility for normies with depth for devs.

Commit-and-reveal threshold encryption is most widely known in crypto as a component of encrypted mempools, which prevent malicious MEV and real time censorship.

However, in this talk, I will explore a wide range of “everyday” applications for decentralized commit-and-reveal encryption.

I will highlight and evaluate both existing projects and potential future projects, including: time-lock gifts (Hongbao, birthdays, Xmas, etc), auctions, RPF procurement processes, perimutual betting pools, voting, embargoed press releases, bounties, games, and more.

Participants will gain an understanding of commit-and-reveal encryption, why decentralized en/decryption is important, everyday applications, and pros and cons in different applications.

This talk will be accessible enough for normies to understand, but technical enough to inspire developers.