Ethereum Unveils Kohaku as Vitalik Pushes for Stronger On-Chain Privacy

Kohaku introduces modular privacy tools that let developers build secure wallets with stealth addresses and selective disclosure.

Vitalik Buterin noted Ethereum needs stronger privacy and security, placing Kohaku in a crucial “last mile” development stage.

The Ethereum Foundation formed a 47-member Privacy Cluster to advance private reads, proving systems, and improved privacy UX.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin presented the network’s new privacy framework, Kohaku, during a Devcon appearance in Buenos Aires, marking a significant shift in how the ecosystem approaches user confidentiality

He noted that Ethereum still lacks the privacy and security standards he considers essential, and he described the current phase as a “last mile stage” that requires concerted technical work

His comments introduced a broader push from the Ethereum Foundation to strengthen privacy features across the network through coordinated efforts, new tooling, and expanded research programs. This set the context for Kohaku’s debut as the framework moves from early development into public testing.

Kohaku’s Function and Developer Roadmap

Kohaku arrives as an open-source SDK that gives developers modular tools for building private and secure wallets. According to its GitHub page, the project remains in active development; however, it already integrates protocols such as Railgun and Privacy Pools

This supports the Foundation’s plan to release a browser-based privacy wallet extension that uses Kohaku as its base layer. The Foundation will also ship a reference implementation, which should guide teams integrating the framework into their applications.

To connect this with its technical design, Kohaku uses a stealth key system that hides links between senders, receivers, and long-term wallet identities. For example, a user generates a stealth keypair tied to a public wallet but not visible on-chain

Another party uses that key to create a one-time payment address. The receiving wallet later detects that address through scanning, and the link between the two parties remains concealed.

Selective Disclosure and Compliance Features

However, the framework also supports selective transparency for users who must disclose information to auditors or regulators. This ensures that privacy does not block verification when legally required

The feature aligns with rising institutional activity on public chains, including the growth of tokenized assets. One example comes from BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, which recently surpassed $500 million in assets under management and relies on verifiable audit trails.

Broader Ethereum Foundation Privacy Strategy

This rollout follows a recent Foundation blog post titled “The Ethereum Foundation’s Commitment to Privacy: Privacy is for everyone,” which outlined its long-term goals. The Foundation introduced a new internal Privacy Cluster led by Igor Barinov and composed of 47 researchers and engineers

The group will coordinate efforts with the Privacy Stewards of Ethereum to advance private reads and writes, private proving, selective disclosure systems, and improved user privacy experiences. The Foundation stated that credible neutrality and security gain value when paired with strong privacy protections.

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