The Ethereum community launches an on-chain time capsule to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genesis block
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ethereum network's genesis block, the Ethereum community launched an innovative on-chain 'time capsule' project on Monday, inviting users worldwide to seal content such as artworks, memories, information, and predictions in encrypted smart contracts, which will only be unlocked on the network's 11th anniversary next year. This project was officially unveiled at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) with the support of Protocol Guild and Shutter Network.
Users only need to pay approximately 0.001 ETH (about $2.5) to submit a file, and all proceeds will be donated to Protocol Guild to support core research work. Shutter Network's threshold encryption technology will ensure all entries remain sealed starting July 30, and will automatically unlock on the 11th anniversary a year later, at which point the contract will decrypt each file and permanently store it on the Ethereum ledger.
Jérôme de Tychey, President of the Ethereum France Association and founder of EthCC, stated: 'Celebrating our history helps cultivate the culture and values of Ethereum.' Protocol Guild contributor 'Cheeky Gorilla' referred to this time capsule as 'an opportunity to reflect on progress as we prepare for the next decade.'
Threshold encryption technology ensures security, automatically unlocking on the same day next year
This time capsule project uses advanced threshold cryptography technology to ensure privacy protection and tamper-proof storage. Participants can submit various diverse content through smart contracts, including artworks, predictions, memes, etc., which will remain sealed using Shutter Network's threshold encryption protocol.
The operation principle of threshold encryption technology is to distribute the decryption keys to multiple participants, ensuring that no single entity can access the data prematurely. This decentralized security mechanism reflects the Ethereum network's commitment to decentralized infrastructure while providing reliable technical assurance for the preservation of community memories.
Contributions from all participants will automatically unlock on July 30, 2026, revealing a collective snapshot of the Ethereum global community at this historic moment.
From white paper to the world's second-largest blockchain, Ethereum's ten-year development journey
The story of Ethereum began in 2013 when Vitalik Buterin published the Ethereum white paper, envisioning a programmable blockchain different from Bitcoin, aimed at ushering in a new era of on-chain finance. Following its initial public offering, the Ethereum network officially launched on July 30, 2015, marking the beginning of a new era for smart contracts and decentralized applications.
Over the past decade, Ethereum has developed into the second-largest blockchain network in the cryptocurrency industry. According to CoinGecko data, the market capitalization of Ether is approaching $300 billion. From the initial proof of concept to now supporting thousands of decentralized applications and trillions of dollars in assets, Ethereum's growth trajectory has witnessed the flourishing development of the entire blockchain industry.
Source: CoinGecko, the market capitalization of Ethereum is approaching $300 billion
This time capsule project is not only a retrospective of the achievements of the past decade but also symbolizes the Ethereum community's confidence and commitment to the future. By permanently preserving collective memories on the blockchain, community members have co-created a unique digital cultural heritage, laying a solid foundation for Ethereum's next decade.
'10th Anniversary of the Genesis Block! Ethereum will chain the time capsule, with the global community sharing blockchain memories.' This article was first published in 'Crypto City'
