HOPR introduces genuine privacy to web3 through a mixnet that is both fully scalable and incentivized. This system enables the transmission of any data type while keeping metadata hidden. Rather than operating its own blockchain, HOPR allows node operators to earn HOPR tokens on the Ethereum mainnet and Gnosis Chain.

Developers are able to construct dapps on the HOPR infrastructure, giving individuals control over who accesses their personal and online information.

The HOPR token was launched in February 2021, with the HOPR DAO managing all proceeds from this event. The HOPR Association, a privately funded entity distinct from the HOPR DAO, supervises the protocol's development.

Decentralized systems for finance, data transfer, and digital services promise greater fairness, freedom, and user choice. However, Web3 is currently less private than Web 2.0 due to a lack of transport level privacy. Exposed metadata allows for the censorship, exploitation, and disruption of users and services, even when using a VPN. HOPR aims to solve this by offering scalable transport level privacy, which enables the development of secure, trustless, and truly private web3 applications.

While mixnets like Tor have existed for decades, HOPR claims to be the first to create a mixnet that is both scalable and incentivized. This design aims to support private dApps at the scale required for web3.

The network achieves this through its proof-of-relay mechanism. This cryptographic system ensures node runners are rewarded only after they successfully relay data, all while maintaining their privacy.

In Q1 2023, HOPR released RPCh, the first commercial product utilizing the HOPR network. By masking all metadata tied to RPC calls, such as IP addresses, RPCh enhances privacy for DeFi and crypto wallets. It is currently integrated with the BlockWallet privacy wallet, and further integrations are coming soon. Additionally, RPCh works with almost any wallet on any EVM chain requiring minimal user effort.

HOPR relies on proof-of-relay, a cryptographic method that enables the first incentivized private mixnet. Operators receive HOPR tokens as payment solely upon finishing their relay and mixing tasks. The protocol ensures that only the sender has access to information regarding their data and its path through the HOPR mixnet.

HOPR operates as an ERC20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing the most common and compatible standard for crypto assets.

The token serves three primary purposes:

• Users spend HOPR tokens to transmit data securely and privately across the HOPR network.
• Operators of nodes receive HOPR rewards for accurately relaying information through the mixnet, facilitated by the proof-of-relay system.
• Holders of the token possess voting rights within the HOPR DAO.

Sebastian Bürgel established HOPR and serves as the president of its Board. He earned a degree in information technologies and electrical engineering from ETH Zurich in 2008, followed by a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering in 2010. In 2016, Bürgel co-founded SONECT, an ATM as-a-service provider, where he acted as chief technology officer until 2017. During his tenure at SONECT, he also held the CTO role at Validity Labs, which offered education-focused solutions through blockchain technology. Bürgel departed Validity Labs in 2020 to launch HOPR.

Rik Krieger is the Co-Founder of HOPR and leads the marketing team. He brings 20 years of business development experience across both corporate entities and start-ups. Krieger was among the co-founders of Sonect, which appeared on the FinTech50 list in 2019 alongside N26, Monzo, and Revolut. The company received several accolades, including recognition from LendIt Fintech, Banking Technology Awards, and the Digital Economy Award as the “Next Global Hot Thing 2019”.

At present, Uniswap v3 stands as the leading exchange for HOPR trades.

• UNISWAP: DAI - HOPR
• SWAPR (Gnosis chain): wxDai - xHOPR
• DEX aggregator - CowSwap (Gnosis chain): wxDai - xHOPR