In an era when digital privacy is both a buzzword and a battleground, three recent developments—from Wall Street’s crypto ambitions to healthcare’s AI safeguards and the latest in VPN technology—underscore how the fight for privacy is evolving across industries. Each story, while distinct, points to a broader truth: privacy is no longer a niche concern, but a fundamental expectation in our hyper-connected world.
On September 3, 2025, Etherealize, a blockchain infrastructure startup, made headlines with the announcement of a $40 million funding round aimed at advancing privacy on Ethereum. According to Decrypt, Danny Ryan, Etherealize’s co-founder and president, believes Wall Street’s embrace of cryptocurrencies could be the catalyst for a new era of privacy on public blockchains. “The market does not, and cannot, function fully in the clear,” Ryan said, highlighting the urgent need for privacy as financial giants begin to move their operations on-chain. “If we’re going to onboard the world to blockchains, ‘everyone sees everything all the time’ is just not going to work.”
For many in the crypto space, this isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a philosophical one. Public blockchains like Ethereum are celebrated for their transparency, but that very openness can be a double-edged sword. When every transaction is visible, elite institutions—think major banks and trading firms—are understandably wary of exposing their strategies and treasury operations to public scrutiny. This, Ryan argues, is where privacy-enhancing technologies come in.
Etherealize’s solution centers on zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, a cryptographic method that lets someone prove they know something without revealing the information itself. ZK proofs have long been a darling of privacy advocates and are the backbone of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Zcash. In Ethereum’s case, they’re seen as a way to both scale the network and shield sensitive data. As Ryan put it, “As we begin to upgrade these markets, institutions will demand privacy, and we'll move the needle forward in terms of practical, applied and compliant privacy.”
The Ethereum ecosystem has already poured hundreds of millions of dollars into ZK-powered networks, betting big on a future where privacy and transparency can coexist. Yet, Etherealize isn’t alone in this race. Companies like Tempo—incubated by payments giant Stripe and investment firm Paradigm—are building blockchains with privacy baked in from the start. Arc, another up-and-coming layer-1 network developed by stablecoin issuer Circle, is promising “selectively shielded balances and transactions.” According to Decrypt, these efforts suggest that widespread privacy in crypto may not hinge solely on Wall Street’s demands, but the financial sector’s involvement could accelerate mainstream adoption.
Ryan’s optimism extends beyond institutions. He sees Wall Street’s privacy push as a “Trojan horse” that could normalize and trickle down privacy benefits to everyday users. In the coming years, he predicts, privacy on Ethereum will become more commonplace through “bespoke applications that handle privacy in a more granular way.” It’s a vision where privacy isn’t just a privilege for the few, but a standard for all.
Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, the conversation around privacy is taking on new urgency as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in clinical workflows. On the same day as Etherealize’s announcement, virtual care provider Omada unveiled a new “threat model” designed to help healthcare organizations assess the security, privacy, and compliance risks associated with AI. As reported by GeneOnline, Omada’s framework provides a structured approach for identifying potential vulnerabilities in AI integration, focusing on data protection, patient privacy, and legal compliance.
Omada’s initiative comes at a time when healthcare organizations are grappling with the dual pressures of adopting cutting-edge technology and safeguarding sensitive patient data. The stakes couldn’t be higher: a breach of medical data doesn’t just threaten privacy—it can have life-altering consequences for patients. By introducing a clear, actionable threat model, Omada aims to give healthcare providers the tools they need to navigate this complex landscape.
According to GeneOnline, Omada’s move reflects a growing awareness in the industry about the need for robust safeguards as AI adoption accelerates. The company’s framework is intended to help organizations stay ahead of regulatory requirements while ensuring that patient data remains secure. In a sector where compliance is non-negotiable, such proactive measures could prove invaluable.
But it’s not just finance and healthcare where privacy is getting a makeover. In the world of consumer technology, VPN services are racing to offer users more control and transparency. On September 4, 2025, Windscribe, a popular VPN provider, announced a major app update that introduces a suite of customizations aimed at enhancing both usability and privacy. As detailed by TechRadar and corroborated by Windscribe’s own blog, the update allows users to rename servers, adjust connection protocols on the fly, and personalize themes and icons—features that cater to both casual users and power users alike.
The overhaul isn’t just about aesthetics. According to CyberInsider, Windscribe’s update includes quality-of-life improvements like faster server selection and streamlined settings menus. These tweaks build on the company’s reputation for speed and reliability, which is crucial in markets where downtime can be costly. The enhancements extend to iOS and Android apps, ensuring a consistent experience across devices—a must in today’s remote work environment, where people toggle between laptops and smartphones throughout the day.
Transparency is another pillar of Windscribe’s approach. As noted by PCMag, the company’s commitment to open-source elements allows developers and security experts to verify code integrity, a significant reassurance for enterprise clients wary of proprietary black boxes. Windscribe’s free-tier offering, which includes 10GB of monthly data, remains a standout in the market, making it an attractive option for users who want to test the waters without a long-term commitment.
Of course, the push for customization and control isn’t without its challenges. Some experts have raised concerns that too many options could overwhelm less tech-savvy users. Windscribe addresses this with guided tutorials and default settings that keep things simple for those who prefer a plug-and-play experience. As Tom’s Hardware observed, the service’s flexible pricing and build-your-own plans align well with the new features, potentially attracting more corporate clients looking for scalable solutions.
In the bigger picture, Windscribe’s latest update signals a broader shift in the VPN industry toward user-empowered security tools. As regulatory scrutiny over data privacy intensifies, companies that offer both flexibility and transparency are likely to have an edge. VentureBeat’s overview of Windscribe’s capabilities reinforces its position as a versatile player in a crowded field—one that’s not just keeping up with the times, but helping to define them.
Across finance, healthcare, and consumer tech, the message is clear: privacy is no longer a luxury or an afterthought. Whether it’s Wall Street demanding confidential crypto transactions, healthcare providers safeguarding patient data from AI risks, or VPN users customizing their digital shield, the future of privacy is being shaped right now—one innovation at a time.