## Summary
Ethereum core devs recently defined Glamsterdam priorities - ePBS is scheduled for inclusion (headliner) and FOCIL is considered for inclusion. As a result, encrypted mempools are much more likely in the next hardfork. And in response, we reassessed our strategy and we defined our goals for the remainder of 2025.
New technologies, including event based decryption triggers and Shutter MCP, have opened new applications of the Shutter API. We launched a number of POCs as a first step in bringing them to market.
Priorities for T3 2025
Technology - Stable encrypted mempools on Gnosis Chain, POC with Primev or Commit-Boost of encrypted mempools on Ethereum L1, Draft an EIP ref encrypted mempools on Ethereum L1, Integrate Shutter API into dApps.
Business - Stabilize the Keyper Sets, Collect feedback on the EIP ref encrypted mempools on Ethereum L1; Identify future integrations of Shutter API into dApps.
MarComs - Refactor communities, Build support for encrypted mempools on Ethereum L1, Experiment with SHU marketing.
Team
FTEs - 0.3 CEO, 0.5 Admin, 1.5 Business, 1 MarComs, 3.75 Developers, 1 Researcher.
Changes - Andreas Erwig, cryptography research, wrapped up his time with Shutter in August. He will be moving to research quantum cryptography at SAP.
Keypers
Keyper Sets - Gnosis Keypers: 5 Keypers active (Threshold 4/7). API Keypers: 8 Keypers active (5 external + 3 internal) (Threshold 5/11).
Packages - Released new packages for Shutter API Keypers (Docker, DAppNode) including the following upgrades: upgrade to rolling-shutter v1.3.12, fix resource leaks on shutdown, fix metrics generation from DB, add DB migration logic, add backup and restore scripts.
Encrypted Mempools
Ethereum Mainnet (POC) - Continued to making solid progress around the Primev X Shutter PoC. We have initial implementations for the sequencer and keyper logic and took over the bidder node update.
Ethereum Mainnet (EIPs) - Kicked-off the conceptual stage of drafting one or more encrypted mempool EIPs.
Gnosis Chain: We’re preparing testing/benchmarking for an imminent release of Erigon v3.1 which includes Shutter support on Gnosis Chain. Early testing indicates that this has the potential to resolve the P2P communications issues we’ve seen in the past.
Shutter API
Shutter MCP: Built and released Shutter MCP, which is a remote MCP server which provides natural language access to Shutter API. Also built and recorded videos for 2 use case demos which show the potential of Shutter MCP especially in combination with other MCPs, such as the Github MCP.
Event-based Decryption Triggers: Built the event-based decryption trigger functionality which is now ready for internal review to be merged. Preparing first demo use cases and supporting external partners such as Kleros to use this feature.
Shielded Voting: Collaborating with Snapshot on a permanent shielded voting PoC (and eventual testnet, then mainnet integration) using linear homomorphic encryption.
Kleros - Continuing to support Kleros in integrating Shutter API into Kleros V2, the release of this integration is imminent.
Sealed Bid Auctions - Built a sealed bid auctions PoC focused on new fixed income issuances which we’re sharing with potential integration partners.
Cardano API Integration - Researched and applied for a grant to build Shutter API on Cardano.
Cryptography Research
Research Posts - Published a new research post regarding major breakthroughs in threshold cryptography and how they improve encrypted mempools.
Research grant - Continued work on the government research grant application together with TU Darmstadt and PolyCrypt.
Partner / Developer Support
Encrypted Mempools on Ethereum L1 - Identified and researched people involved in the EIP process and decision-making - esp core devs and transaction supply chain actors.
SHU Token Info - Supported DEX Screener, CoinGecko, Zerion, Dune, Farcaster, and others in updating correct SHU token info for SHU (all chains).
SAFE on Base - Supported Blockful in setting up and testing a SAFE on Base controlled by Shutter DAO 0x36 on Mainnet via oSnap.
DAO Proposals - Supported 0xAlex in creating the Keyper Compensation Program proposal. Supported Decent increating the Paid Decent Subscription proposal.
MarComs
Blog Content - Shutter’s Perspective on Glamsterdam - and a Cryptographic Fix for ePBS’s Free Option Problem, Debunking Myths and Misconceptions Around Encrypted Mempools, Breaking Encrypted Mempool Limitations with Advanced Cryptography, Shutter MCP Alpha: Encrypted Workflows at Your Command
PR - Loring’s op-ed was published in Cointelegraph: Ethereum should limit transparency for a fairer blockchain
Video/Podcast Content - Web3Privacy Now: Privacy Academy Interviews ft Loring Harkness, Congrats Everyone, Censorship Has Dropped Dramatically on Ethereum! So, is it solved?, Loring Harkness Joined the 'Doots Podcast, Shutter MCP Demo, Shutter MCP Demo: Confidential RFPs using VS Code, Shutter MCP Demo: Sealed Bug Bounties using VS Code, Ethereum-ville is under attack
Requests
EIP Process - If anyone has practical experience guiding an EIP from idea to inclusion, please get in touch. We would be interested in learning more about your experience.
Devconnect - If anyone has (free) opportunities to promote Shutter (possibly via partner projects) at Devconnect, please let us know. Think about events focused on privacy, MEV, censorship resistance, governance, gaming, etc.