What is
A movement advocating privacy-enhancing technologies and cryptography for social change.
Cypherpunks believe in using cryptography to protect privacy and individual freedom from surveillance and control. The movement, starting in the 1990s, inspired Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Ergo embraces cypherpunk values: privacy by design, open source, fair launch, and tools for financial freedom.
Common questions about this topic
Ergo provides tools for financial sovereignty: self-custody with no third parties, censorship-resistant transactions via PoW, optional privacy with Sigma Protocols, and programmable money without permission. Unlike VC-backed chains, Ergo has no central authority that can freeze funds or comply with sanctions. Your keys, your coins, your freedom.
This is not financial advice. Ergo has strong fundamentals: fair launch (no VC dump risk), innovative technology (eUTXO, Sigma Protocols, NiPoPoWs), active development, and a cypherpunk ethos. It's a smaller market cap project with higher risk/reward than established chains. Research thoroughly, understand the technology, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Start by getting a wallet (Nautilus for browser, Terminus for mobile). Back up your seed phrase securely offline. Get some ERG from an exchange (Gate.io, KuCoin) or DEX (Spectrum). Make a test transaction. Then explore: try DeFi on Spectrum, check out NFTs, or dive into the technology if you're a builder.
Ergo supports a full ecosystem: trade on Spectrum DEX, use SigmaUSD stablecoin, mix transactions with ErgoMixer, collect NFTs on SkyHarbor, mine with GPUs, lend/borrow on DuckPools, bridge to other chains via Rosen, and build dApps with ErgoScript. It's a complete platform for decentralized finance and applications.