Bitcoin Developer Who Worked With Satoshi Just Released A Tool That Changes Online Privacy Forever

Martti Malmi — an early Bitcoin developer who worked with Satoshi — released Nostr VPN, an open-source, peer-to-peer mesh VPN that replaces centralized VPN providers with cryptographic keys, decentralized relays, and user-operated exit nodes. The tool removes a central operator who could be compelled to hand over logs, aligning with Bitcoin’s anti-intermediary ethos. The release was flagged on X on May 19 and the story was updated May 20, 2026. Market impact: the launch is primarily a technological/privacy development rather than a direct market driver, but it strengthens privacy infrastructure favored by Bitcoin’s community and could modestly support long-term Bitcoin adoption and sentiment among privacy-focused users. Near-term price impact for BTCUSD is limited; the article includes a BTCUSD chart but provides no price targets or flows. Regulatory tightening on VPNs in some jurisdictions is noted as a potential headwind for decentralized privacy tools.