Future Cryptography Conference 2026

Digital identity has established itself as a cornerstone of modern societies. We use it to move around our finances and assets, we use it to authenticate for services. Increasingly, we rely on digital signatures instead of ones given on paper.

As the technologies become more commonplace and gain more users, the identity service providers start to gain more and more insights about those users. Especially, when digital credential start to be presented in physical spaces. Before, the identity provider could track which online services a person uses. Once the digital identities are presented at shops, hospitals, borders and more, the identity provider will also know the movements of the person.

Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) are a technology for balancing the privacy and utility in services. Instead of showing a (identity or other) service provider all your data, you can prove that you are in control of them and that they make you eligible for the service.

ZKPs can also revolutionise bureaucracy. We have been attaching/stapling data to our applications to prove that we are healthy enough, rich enough, skilled enough or have been conducting our business according to the applicable rules. What if we could prove to governments or companies that we are healthy, rich, skilled or compliant without showing our full medical history or bank transaction history? Today’s ZKPs are powerful enough to achieve all that – or even prove that your AI has been working properly.

There is potential here! So I am excited to invite you to Future Cryptography 2026, organised by Cyber-Security Excellence Hub in Estonia and South Moravia (Horizon Europe CHESS project), the Estonian Academy of Sciences and Cybernetica.