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Privacy on Ergo

Privacy on Ergo

Programmable Privacy with Sigma Protocols

Core Idea
"Privacy is not about hiding. It's about control."

Ergo takes a unique approach to blockchain privacy: optional, programmable, and provable. Unlike always-on privacy coins that hide everything, Ergo's Sigma Protocols let you prove things about your data without revealing the data itself. You can prove you're over 18 without showing your birthdate. Prove you have sufficient funds without revealing your balance. Prove membership in a group without identifying yourself. This is privacy that works in the real world - where sometimes you need to prove compliance while protecting your details.

Why Ergo Is Different

Most privacy solutions force a binary choice: full transparency or full opacity. Ergo's Sigma Protocols enable selective disclosure - reveal exactly what's needed, nothing more. This isn't just academic cryptography; it's built into ErgoScript as a first-class primitive. Every smart contract can incorporate zero-knowledge proofs. ErgoMixer provides non-interactive, non-custodial mixing. And because privacy is optional, Ergo remains accessible to regulated entities while empowering individuals.

Key Differentiators

Sigma Protocols: native zero-knowledge proofs in every smart contract
Selective disclosure: prove statements without revealing underlying data
ErgoMixer: non-custodial, non-interactive token mixing
Programmable privacy: build custom privacy logic into dApps
Optional by design: transparent when needed, private when required

Start Here

Essential resources to understand the fundamentals.

Start Here

Privacy Features

Overview of Ergo's privacy capabilities

Essential

Sigma Protocols Explained

Deep dive into zero-knowledge proofs

Visual

Ergo Privacy Model

Visual guide to privacy on Ergo

Build With It

Developer documentation, patterns, and guides.

Concept

Sigma Protocols

Language

ErgoScript

Tool

ErgoMixer

Philosophy & Narrative

The vision and principles behind the technology.

Comparison

Privacy But Auditable

Sigma Protocols vs other privacy approaches

Comparison

Ergo vs Monero

Different privacy models compared

Guide

Escape Financial Repression

Privacy for financial freedom

Recommended Reading

Deep-dive articles to master this topic.

Sigma Protocols Explained (Without A PhD)
Privacy

Sigma Protocols Explained (Without A PhD)

A plain-English guide to Sigma Protocols – the powerful, flexible zero-knowledge cryptography that powers Ergo's privacy and smart contracts.

P
Privacy Team
10 min readBeginner

Visual Guides

Infographics and visual explanations to share.

Ergo vs Privacy Coins

Ergo vs Privacy Coins

Comparing privacy approaches

Financial Repression Stack

Financial Repression Stack

Why privacy matters

Key Terms

Essential vocabulary for understanding this topic.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions about this topic.

Is Ergo better than Monero for privacy?
What are Sigma Protocols?
How private is Ergo?

Related Topics

DeFi on Ergo

Decentralized Finance Without MEV, Without Permission

Ergo Philosophy

Cypherpunk Values for Financial Freedom

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DeFi on Ergo

Decentralized Finance Without MEV, Without Permission