For episode 203, we’re excited to welcome Evin McMullen, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Privado ID—a decentralized identity platform revolutionizing how we protect, own, and verify our identities online. Evin is a true Web3 pioneer whose journey spans foundational roles at organizations like ConsenSys and Disco.xyz, advising global communities like Boys Club, and contributing to DAOs shaping the future of decentralized governance.
In this episode, Evin shares powerful insights from her vast experience about why decentralized identity matters deeply, how blockchain-driven privacy solutions are essential for safeguarding our digital lives, how Web3 can empower the one billion people who lack proof of identity, and why Privado’s Billions Network and Quadratic Accelerator are game changers—not just for Web3, but for the responsible evolution of AI as well.
This conversation is an inspiring look at how Web3 can help us reclaim control over our identities and build a more inclusive and secure digital future.
We discuss:
🤖 Human or AI? Blockchain Holds the Key: As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, distinguishing between human and AI identities is critical. Privado’s blockchain-based identity solutions ensure trust, verifying individuals and AI agents alike, keeping interactions safe, authentic, and transparent.
🔒 Your Identity is Fragmented and At Risk: Our digital identities are scattered across countless logins and databases, often controlled by centralized actors who risk exposing personal data. Privado tackles this vulnerability head-on, leveraging blockchain and Zero-Knowledge Proofs to let you prove who you are—without sharing sensitive personal information.
🌐 Unified Identity for Global Inclusion: Over a billion people worldwide still lack access to official identity documents. Privado’s unified, mobile-first identity system creates an inclusive “web of trust,” empowering individuals globally to securely prove their identity, protect their biometrics, and unlock essential services and opportunities.
PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market. By joining the Pipe Associate Network (aka PAN), associates can create a profile highlighting their skills, be notified of opportunities, and then contribute fractional work to pre-IPO companies in return for equity and tokens.
Check out their Linktree for links to all of their socials so you can get involved and join this growing community!
02:10 - To start things off, could you share a bit about your journey into Web3—what inspired you to co-found Privado ID and focus specifically on digital identity and privacy?
04:25 - Privacy is central to Privado ID’s mission. Why is blockchain technology crucial in developing privacy-preserving digital identity tools compared to traditional centralized approaches?
08:05 - Zero-knowledge proofs play a key role in Privado ID. For listeners less familiar with this technology, could you explain why zero-knowledge proofs are game-changing for privacy in identity verification?
12:25 - One of Privado’s major selling points is interoperability across different blockchains and traditional Web2 platforms. Why is interoperability so vital for decentralized identity solutions, and what does it mean practically for everyday users?
20:00 - How do identity solutions like Privado ID potentially empower underrepresented communities, and do you see decentralized identity as playing a role in broader social equity?
24:15 - Privado ID just launched “Billions,” which is described as the first global network for humans and AI. What problem is Billions specifically designed to solve, and how does it offer a new approach to verifying human identity without intrusive biometric methods?
31:40 - How do you envision Billions fostering safer interactions between humans and AI, and could you tell us a bit more about your partnership with SingularityNET and the Decentralized AI Agent Trust Registry?
34:55 - Privado ID recently introduced the Quadratic Accelerator, combining quadratic funding with bonding curves. Could you break down this model and explain how it’s reshaping decentralized project funding?
38:20 - Recent statistics show that women are still significantly underrepresented in Web3. Drawing on your experience as an advisor to Boys Club and contributor to many Web3 projects, what practical steps do you think the Web3 industry can take to improve inclusion and create more opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals?
42:10 – Do you have a CTA for listeners? What’s the best way for listeners to stay informed, engage with Privado’s ecosystem, or start using products like Privado ID, Billions, or participate in the Quadratic Accelerator?
43:20 - You’ve had a diverse career across enterprise, blockchain, hardware design, and DAO communities. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned that you’d pass on to entrepreneurs and builders entering Web3?
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While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
