A Retreat on Privacy,
Freedom, and Open Networks
Berlin | Sep 21-23, 2025
Organized by
A Retreat on Privacy,
Berlin | Sep 21-23, 2025
Organized by
The Cypherpunk Retreat brings together a small, high-trust group to work on four critical areas:
In three days in Berlin, participants will:
The goal: concrete progress and durable collaborations to strengthen an open, secure, and free internet.
Private, censorship-resistant tools for messaging, sharing, and coordination.
Privacy-preserving computation on sensitive or distributed datasets.
Self-sovereign identity systems free from centralized control or gatekeepers.
Legal and strategic protection for builders under policy constraints.
Check-in from 3:00 PM, with Optional activity For EARLY arrivals.
Drinks and light bites to connect.
Opening remarks from organizers on goals.
Choose from dragonboat, archery, or cycling.
Ad-hoc sessions or informal networking.
Synthesize gaps, assign owners, plan next steps.
Depart via shuttles to Berlin/BER airport.
Eligibility & Timeline
The Cypherpunk Fellowship is open exclusively to Retreat participants. Wave 1 applications for priority consideration are due 23:59pm CEST Sept 22 (Day 2 of the retreat, with a short Q&A with the review panel on Day 3). Wave 2 applications are due 23:59pm CEST Sept 30.
Cypherpunk Fellows: Fall 2025
We're excited to announce the inaugural cohort of Cypherpunk Fellows. These builders are working on bold ideas at the intersection of privacy, cryptography, and digital rights.
Cashu Integration for AT Protocol: Private Payments at Scale
Rudy Fraser, Blacksky Algorithms
Integrating Cashu, a Chaumian ecash protocol, to enable confidential peer-to-peer payments while preserving the decentralized ethos of AT Protocol. This will set a critical precedent for privacy-preserving financial infrastructure on open social protocols.
Distributed MLS
Mark Xue and Anna Mistele, Germ Network
Finalize the design for a decentralized configuration of Messaging Layer Security, implement it in an MIT licensed library, and analyze the design through testing to prepare for IETF standardization
Remote Attestation with Exported Authenticators
Peg, Independent
This project implements "Remote Attestation with Exported Authenticators," an IETF draft protocol that securely binds hardware attestation to TLS sessions without modifying TLS itself. The Rust library will enable projects to verify confidential workloads (TEEs) using existing TLS clients, solving a common pain points with current attestation methods.
Simple Private Payment L2
Aleph_V, Independent
A design for private stablecoin payments at near-zero cost, using zero-knowledge proofs for privacy and a simple challenge protocol for security, funded by interest rather than transaction fees.
Yes. Please arrange your own air travel to Berlin.
No. The Cypherpunk organizers will provide accommodations at the retreat venue (~1 hour drive outside Berlin) for all participants from Sep 21–23, 2025.
Arrive anytime after 2:00 PM on Sunday, Sep 21. An optional activity is planned for the afternoon, followed by a happy hour and dinner. Core sessions start early evening, so aim for mid-afternoon to settle in.
We'll have sessions until 12pm on Tuesday, followed by lunch. Shuttles will depart for Berlin and BER beginning at 1pm.
No dress code. Wear what’s comfortable for focused work and casual networking. Berlin in late September is 60–70°F (15–21°C) during the day, cooler at night (~50°F/10°C). Bring layers and sturdy shoes for potential outdoor activities. We’ll have an optional lake activity on Monday afternoon.
Yes. All meals, drinks, and snacks are covered from dinner on Sep 21 through lunch on Sep 23. Specify dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, etc.) in your RSVP for accommodations.
This is a closed, curated retreat with limited capacity. We kindly ask that you do not bring guests unless explicitly discussed with the organizers.
No formal presentations required. Sessions are hands-on—workshops, roadmapping, and co-working. Track leads may prep brief prompts (5–10 min). The focus is on building and alignment, not slides.
Yes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue, and Berlin’s 4G/5G coverage is reliable. We encourage minimal device use during sessions to maintain focus—consider Do Not Disturb modes.
The Cypherpunk Fellows Program is post-retreat track for 5-10 high-agency builders to address gaps identified during the event. Support includes $10–40K grants (1–3 months), mentorship, and cohort calls. RFPs will be finalized on Day 2. Submit your proposal by Sep 30 (optionally, pitch on-site Sep 23 for fast-track decisions). Targets include libraries, integrations, demos, or policy frameworks.
Four focus areas: Secure Communications, Decentralized Identity, Confidential Compute, and Narrative/Policy. Each has a shepherd leading workshops, alignment, and builds. Nominate yourself to lead or co-lead via organizers, aiming for outcomes like specs, MVPs, or roadmaps for transformation.
Reach out to andrew.woo@protocol.ai or pg@web3privacy.info. We'll respond within 24-48 hours.