Part 11/18:
Blockchain and Cryptography: An Evolving Foundation
The conversation pivots toward cryptography’s history—from Cold War secrets to cypherpunk movements of the 1980s and 90s. Tim May’s Crypto-Anarchy Manifesto and the Cypherpunks mailing list discussed how privacy tools could free users from state and corporate control.
He recounts how cryptography was once illegal—coded documents and tools had to be shared via books or obscure channels—and how early pioneers fought legal battles to assert their First Amendment rights. Backdoor vulnerabilities in US encryption standards and state-sponsored hacking underline ongoing tensions: security vs. surveillance.