Privacy
Intermediate
Updated 1/15/2025
What is
Privacy Tools?
Ergo's suite of privacy-enhancing technologies including Sigma protocols for zero-knowledge proofs and ErgoMixer for transaction mixing, enabling optional privacy for users.
Privacy tools on Ergo encompass a range of technologies that allow users to enhance their financial privacy while maintaining regulatory compliance options. The foundation is Sigma protocols - composable zero-knowledge proofs that enable proving statements without revealing underlying data. ErgoMixer provides non-interactive, non-custodial coin mixing to break transaction linkability. Unlike privacy-by-default coins, Ergo offers optional privacy - users choose when and how much privacy they need, making it suitable for both private transactions and transparent business use.
Key Points
- Sigma protocols: composable zero-knowledge proofs
- ErgoMixer: non-custodial, non-interactive mixing
- Optional privacy - user chooses level of privacy
- Ring signatures and stealth addresses possible
- Compliant privacy - can prove things without revealing data
- Foundation for private DeFi applications
Use Cases
1
Private transactions using ErgoMixer
2
Multi-signature schemes with hidden signers
3
Anonymous voting and governance
4
Private DeFi participation
5
Proving solvency without revealing holdings
6
Selective disclosure for compliance
Technical Details
Sigma protocols in ErgoScript enable proving knowledge of secrets (like private keys) without revealing them. They're composable using AND, OR, and THRESHOLD operations. ErgoMixer uses Sigma protocols to implement a mixing scheme where users can swap boxes without revealing which output belongs to whom. The mixer is non-custodial (you never lose control of funds) and non-interactive (no coordination needed with other users).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Privacy Tools
Common questions about this topic
What is ErgoMixer and how does it work?
ErgoMixer is a non-custodial, trustless mixing service that breaks the link between your input and output addresses. It uses Sigma Protocols to prove you're entitled to withdraw without revealing which deposit was yours. Unlike centralized mixers, there's no trusted party who could steal funds or keep logs.
Explainer
Privacy
Can Ergo transactions be traced?
By default, Ergo transactions are public like Bitcoin. However, Ergo provides privacy tools: ErgoMixer for transaction mixing, Sigma Protocols for zero-knowledge proofs, and stealth addresses. Privacy is optional but powerful - you can prove things about data without revealing the data itself.
Explainer
Privacy
How to escape financial repression with Ergo?
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.
Solution
Philosophy
What is Ergo blockchain?
Ergo is a fair-launched Proof-of-Work blockchain with advanced smart contract capabilities. It combines Bitcoin's security model (UTXO, PoW) with Ethereum-style programmability through the eUTXO model and ErgoScript. No pre-mine, no ICO, no VC control - built by cypherpunks for financial freedom.
Explainer
Getting Started