CEO and founder of coinweb.io, Toby Gilbert speaks about his new project PACT SWAP

Wesley Ellul, President and Head of Strategy of Technotainment talks about the intersection of entertainment and technology - blockchain technology

The Wishing Well: PlantPower and Purpose, Shaggy Brown’s Path to Peace

This episode of the Wishing Well contains lot of references to plant based medicines and so was unable to be shared on community radio. However, it is still part of my series, still number 95 and still going to be included in book launched next year, featuring 100 interview subjects.

Shaggy Brown is not his given name, but it’s the name that stuck, gifted to him by the late rapper DMX, no less. A self-described visionary and “weed consultant to the stars,” Shaggy has lived several lifetimes in one. From the streets of LAto spiritual epiphanies in the Nevada desert, his journey is shaped by plant-based living, fatherhood, psychedelics, and a deep desire for peace.

Dominik Schmidt, co-founder of Polygon Miden, believes that privacy is both a human right and a practical necessity for scaling blockchain technology. Speaking at the DCC Shielding Summit, Schmidt outlined how zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) allow users to execute transactions privately while improving scalability.

"With ZKPs, transaction data remains private, and the blockchain tracks only a commitment," Schmidt explained. This approach not only enhances privacy but also enables parallel transaction execution, significantly increasing throughput.

Schmidt acknowledged the challenges of usability, particularly as users must now manage their own data. To address this, Polygon Miden is developing decentralized storage solutions and refining developer tools, such as a Rust compiler for easier smart contract creation.

Citing regulatory interest, Schmidt noted that privacy-preserving technologies are increasingly viewed as essential for large-scale applications, including central bank digital currencies. "Current solutions are not sufficient, privacy-wise or scalability-wise," he said.

Polygon Miden’s focus on privacy, scalability, and user-friendly tools positions it as a leader in next-generation blockchain innovation.

Lasha Antadze, founder of Rarimo - Verifiable Anonymity for Everyday Use: Rarimo’s Identity Innovation

Lasha Antadze, founder of Rarimo, showcased how zero-knowledge identity systems can transform privacy during his talk at the DCC Shielding Summit. "We focus on verifiable anonymity—proving who you are without revealing more than necessary," he explained.

Rarimo’s technology allows users to tap their passport on a phone to securely verify attributes like age, citizenship, or uniqueness without exposing personal data. This approach has already been implemented in real-world use cases, including a voting application with 60,000 participants, many of whom were non-crypto users.

Antadze highlighted the importance of intuitive user experiences in driving adoption. Rarimo abstracts blockchain complexity, making it simple for users to interact with privacy-focused applications. "The goal is to make privacy effortless for everyone," he said.

Looking ahead, Rarimo aims to expand its work into governance and decentralized social applications, ensuring privacy remains central as digital systems evolve.

Mark Bungard, head of Product Partisia - Privacy and Transparency in Action: Partisia’s Real-World Use Cases

Mark Bungard, Head of Product at Partisia, highlighted the transformative potential of combining privacy and transparency during his talk at the DCC Shielding Summit. "For privacy to be real, you also need transparency," he explained, emphasizing the balance between protecting sensitive data and enabling auditability.

Partisia’s solutions are already making an impact in healthcare and identity management. In Denmark, the company’s multi-party computation (MPC) technology allows encrypted healthcare data to be analyzed securely, unlocking valuable insights without exposing sensitive information.

Bungard also discussed the potential of blockchain-based identity systems. These enable individuals to prove key attributes, like citizenship or student status, without revealing unnecessary personal details. "Selective disclosure allows users to share only what’s needed, protecting their privacy while ensuring trust," he noted.

Through practical applications and privacy-first innovation, Partisia is setting a strong precedent for the future of secure data management.

Yannik Schrade, CEO of Arcium - Unlocking Confidential Computing: Arcium’s Push for Privacy and Usability

Schrade described decentralized confidential computing as the "missing link for distributed systems" during his talk at the DCC Shielding Summit. Schrade emphasized that confidentiality is essential for unlocking advanced use cases, including confidential AI and DeFi, while ensuring sensitive data remains protected.

Arcium focuses on eliminating usability barriers, ensuring that both developers and end users can access privacy technologies effortlessly. "The end user should never notice they are using confidential computing technology," Schrade noted, emphasizing low latency and seamless integration as key goals.

Schrade also highlighted a recent milestone: Arcium’s acquisition of a leading Web2 confidential computing company. By integrating its technology and open-sourcing previously proprietary patents, Arcium is bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3.

With its focus on usability, scalability, and innovation, Arcium is setting a new standard for privacy-enhanced applications across industries.

Martin Leclerc Dev Rel for iEXEC - Simplifying Privacy Through Confidential Computing: iExec’s Mission

Martin Leclerc, Developer Relations at iEXEC, emphasized the importance of making privacy-enhancing technologies both accessible and secure during his talk at the DCC Shielding Summit. "Privacy must be built by design and be user-friendly to ensure trust," he noted.

iEXEC focuses on confidential computing, enabling users and developers to retain full control of their data. Leclerc highlighted how hardware advancements, such as Intel’s upcoming TDX chips, are improving the usability of privacy-preserving solutions. These advancements reduce complexity, making it easier for developers to integrate privacy technologies seamlessly.

Leclerc also called for collaboration between privacy tech providers and regulators, noting that "working with compliance entities like GDPR and MiCA is essential for mass adoption." He advocated for hybrid approaches that combine secure enclaves, multi-party computation, and zero-knowledge proofs for enhanced security and usability.

By simplifying complex systems and fostering cooperation, iEXEC is driving the evolution of privacy technologies toward broader adoption.

Jovonni Martinez, Developer Relations Engineer at Agoric, views the balance between security and usability as key to blockchain adoption. Martinez highlighted Agoric’s unique approach: leveraging JavaScript-based smart contracts to make privacy-preserving technologies more accessible to developers.

"Developers shouldn’t need to become cryptography experts to build secure applications," Martinez explained. Agoric’s system allows for asynchronous execution and integration of AI capabilities, simplifying the development process while ensuring robust security.

Martinez emphasized the importance of collaboration with regulatory bodies, noting that compliance must be a priority for the industry to achieve mass adoption. "We love the Cypherpunk ideology, but to be taken seriously, we have to work with nation-states and regulators," he said.

Through innovative tools and a focus on developer empowerment, Agoric is advancing privacy-first solutions without sacrificing usability, paving the way for broader blockchain integration.

Adrienne Youngman, CEO of Partisia Blockchain, believes that privacy and usability can coexist to drive innovation. Youngman highlighted how self-custody of data can enhance user experiences while ensuring security.

Using multi-party computation (MPC), Partisia enables users to perform complex tasks, like credit scoring or anti-money laundering checks, with minimal friction. "Users can complete processes with a single click, reducing churn while meeting regulatory demands," she explained.

Youngman emphasized that privacy isn’t just about protection—it’s also a regulatory necessity. She cited Partisia’s work with the Danish government, where encrypted health data allows insights without exposing sensitive information.

As AI accelerates data collection and usage, Youngman sees privacy-preserving technologies as crucial. She warned that unchecked AI could compromise trust in digital systems, making self-custody and privacy-by-design vital safeguards.

By combining cutting-edge cryptography with user-friendly solutions, Partisia is demonstrating how privacy-focused technologies can unlock new possibilities across industries while protecting individual freedoms.