Brainbot Update for January 2026

Shutter DAO
1

Summary

In January, brainbot identified and began working on our priorities for T1 2026. Our top priority is ensuring EIP-8015 is included in the Hegotá hardfork. To that end, we proposed EIP-8105 as a Hegotá headliner, refined EIP-8105 based on feedback from core devs, developed proof points for EIP-8105 with Primev and Gnosis, and expanded the coalition of EIP-8105 advocates.

Priorities for T1 2026

Tech Priorities

  • :one: EIP-8105 R&D (work with client teams on specs and implementation)
  • :two: EIP-8105 Proof Points - Testnet, Primev Mainnet and/or Gnosis Chain
  • :three: Shielded Voting 2.0 (El Gamal on Snapshot)
  • :four: Determine how scalable is the current Keyper setup

Business Priorities

  • :one: EIP-8105 as Headliner for Hegotá (or SFI if not Headliner)
  • :two: Business model for en/decryption services under EIP-8105 and for the Primev POC

MarComs Priorities

  • :one: Build Awareness of / Support for EIP-8105 (inc EthCC[9] activation)
  • :two: Octant V2 (launch, SHU locking, projects applications, voting)
  • :three: Communicate Vision & Roadmap (common story between EaaS/UEEM/PrivateVoting, how we drive value)

Team

FTEs - Increase from 6.75 to 8.25 FTEs. 0.5 CEO, 0.5 Admin, 1.25 Business, 1 MarComs, 5 Developers.

Keypers

Keyper Sets - Gnosis Keypers: 7 Keypers online / 7 active (Threshold 4/7). API Keypers: 9 Keypers online / 7 active (8 external + 3 internal) (Threshold 5/9).

Keyper Releases - Following the Keyper v1.4.0 release, released the Gnosis Docker Compose package, and the corresponding DAppNode packages for Gnosis and Shutter API. These releases brought operational improvements and connectivity fixes to both Keyper sets. Event-based decryption triggers were deployed and tested on Chiado, preparing the ground for a staged activation in Mainnet in subsequent deployments.

Keyper Compensation Program - Tracked Keyper uptime and communications. Worked with all Keypers to update software and improve performance.

Encrypted Mempools

Ethereum Mainnet (EIP) - Submitted the encrypted mempool EIP as a Hegotá headliner, inc supporting material. Presented the proposal in an ACDE call to ~100 core developers. Received extensive feedback from core devs and researchers (including Vitalik) and are actively iterating on the design and specification. Ongoing conceptual work with key infrastructure providers on how FHE/MPC can further enhance the design and unlock additional use cases.

Ethereum Mainnet (POC) - Primev mainnet PoC is feature-complete on our side, including a demo DEX (https://demo-app.primev.staging.shutter.network/). Actively supporting builders (BTCS and iobuilder) with integration, though progress is slowed due to their bandwidth. Exploring options with Primev to spin up a dedicated builder on testnet to unblock progress.

Gnosis Chain - Testing on Chiado and mainnet shows a 100% inclusion rate for encrypted transactions. Identified a bug in Erigon’s implementation that limits users to one encrypted transaction per block. Currently working closely with the Erigon team on a fix and validation.

Shutter API

Private Voting - Continued work on a private voting PoC in collaboration with a city government/administration and a university (details TBA soon). Iterating on the technical specification and system architecture, with the goal of bringing threshold ElGamal–based private voting to real city council elections. Engagement also includes a second voting partner exploring deployment in a municipal context.

Event-Based Decryption Triggers - Event-based decryption triggers are now implemented into the Shutter API on Chiado. Started development of a demo dApp showcasing the feature, alongside work on documentation and fixes related to the Shutter API re-deployment. Preparing the feature for public use and external integrations.

Shutter API Infrastructure - Preparing a mainnet re-deployment due to infrastructure issues. Also, the Gnosis Chiado testnet required a history rewrite, necessitating a corresponding re-deployment. Ongoing work to stabilize deployments and ensure consistency across networks.

Snapshot Integration - Created an implementation guide for migrating Snapshot from its custom Shutter version to the Shutter API. Ready to share with the Snapshot team once the new Shutter API deployment is finalized.

Cryptography Research

Research Grant - Continued work on the government research grant application together with TU Darmstadt and PolyCrypt.

FHE/MPC - Ongoing conceptual work with key infrastructure providers on how FHE/MPC can further enhance the encrypted mempool EIP design and unlock additional use cases.

Partner / Developer Support

State of Private Voting Report Updates

  • Continued interviews with DAO delegates and tooling platforms for upcoming part 2 of report

  • Scheduled a 11 Feb livestream with MACI, Vocdoni, and others to initial interview findings & gather more insights for part of the report

Keyper Compensation Program - Supported 0xAlex in proposing Shutter DAO 0x36 provide grants to Keypers, based on performance in Sept-Nov 2025. Provided observations/recommendations for Keyper performance in December 2025.

EIP-8105 Feedback & Support - Created direct channels with Ethereum core devs and client teams to collect feedback and collaborate on improvements. Reached out to prospective Key Providers to build a broad coalition in support of EIP-8105.

Octant v2 - Supported Octant in implementing the security multisig, and creating test transactions for the community growth program approved in an earlier Temp Check vote.

Protocol Guild 1% Pledge - Supported Protocol Guild in proposing Shutter DAO 0x36 send 1% of SHU tokens to Ethereum core devs in order to help fund a core dependency.

Paddle Battle - Began developing a sealed-bid auction Farcaster mini-app with Shutter API.

MarComs

Video Content

Media coverage / PR

Content Updates

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