Author: Shady El Damaty, Co-founder of Human.Tech
Beyond the hype in the circles of accelerationists and tech enthusiasts, emerging technologies are quietly falling into a crisis of confidence. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized identity solutions still hold immense potential to empower individuals and decentralize power. Many builders and users are sounding the alarm. Their disillusionment stems from real concerns: excessive surveillance, centralized entities masquerading as innovation, and tools that serve power rather than the people.
This discussion is no longer theoretical. From deepfake scams and AI impersonation to state-sponsored biometric ID proposals and the EU AI Act, digital rights are being defined in real-time, often without public consent. In this environment, the question is not whether to embed human rights into crypto systems, but how quickly we must act.
The root of the problem is not the technology itself, but the values embedded in its design.
The future legitimacy of cryptocurrencies depends on embedding human rights into their architecture. Principles such as self-custody, universal persona, and default privacy should not be seen as optional features. They must become prerequisites for any system that claims to advance human freedom.
The promise of Web3 will not be realized solely through technological breakthroughs. It requires systems that reflect humanitarian intentions. If we cannot embed ethical principles into protocols now, we risk recreating the same power dynamics that Web3 was supposed to disrupt. The future is not just about decentralized infrastructure—it is about human-centered infrastructure.
Ethical innovation must recognize that technology shapes behavior, governance, and power. Our tools must encode rights, not just code.
Self-custody has long been a cornerstone of cryptocurrency. The failures of centralized exchanges—such as those that led to the collapse of FTX—and the availability challenges of many existing custodial tools reveal a critical gap: most self-custody solutions are not built for the average person; they are built for advanced users.
To be viable for mass adoption, the next generation of custody must maintain user control without sacrificing accessibility. If the goal is true user empowerment, then lost keys, obscure interfaces, and fragile backups are unacceptable. The future of custody will depend on balancing security, simplicity, and sovereignty in design.
As bots become more convincing and AI-generated interactions flood the web, proving you are human is becoming more complex and important. We need ways to verify humanity without compromising privacy or personal autonomy.
State-operated biometric IDs and corporate certification systems pose serious risks. Instead, decentralized and censorship-resistant persona systems must enable individuals to prove their humanity without relinquishing their humanity. This is the foundation of trust, integrity, and inclusivity in the digital space.
Surveillance, data breaches, and behavioral tracking are the legacies of Web2. Web3 has the opportunity—and the obligation—to break this pattern. Privacy is often seen as an add-on feature rather than a built-in right.
Default privacy means designing systems that minimize data collection, encrypt by design, and maintain autonomy when storing and using data. Visibility should never be the default option. Every system should start from the premise that user protection is a feature, not a switch.
Some critics argue that embedding values into systems may backfire, and ethical frameworks may be co-opted or politicized. This is a legitimate concern. But it is still not an excuse for inaction. Transparent system design, open governance, and diversified alignment mechanisms can mitigate this risk and help ensure that protocols are accountable to users, not just founders or investors.
The tools offered by Web3, if built responsibly, can decentralize control, empower communities, and resist abuse. This potential can only be realized when builders consciously embed rights into the protocol layer, rather than trying to retrofit ethics after launch.
We are at a turning point. Human rights can no longer be seen as external guardrails. They must become internal operating principles of digital infrastructure. This is not a philosophical luxury; it is a necessary condition for design.
The window is open, but it is closing. If we want a digital future that serves humanity, now is the time to embed our values into code.
Author: Shady El Damaty, Co-founder of Human.Tech.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
Original article: “Embedding Human Rights in Cryptocurrency is Not an Option, but a Fundamental Requirement”
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