Prague Institute of Crypto Anarchy: Visions of Economic Transformation

Paralelní Polis in Prague, Czech Republic was the site of ETHPrague 2023. The venue holds significance as it was once the location where Czech guerrilla artists from Ztohoven performed a prank in 2007. During a live television broadcast, they hacked into a webcam and faked a nuclear bomb detonation. This was just one of many provocative acts carried out by Ztohoven over the years to challenge societal norms.

Paralelní Polis, also known as “parallel world,” is a renovated factory building that represents a different kind of anarchy. It serves as a living example of a decentralized and defiant society where cryptography replaces control and cryptocurrency replaces fiat currency. The space attracts digital rights activists, privacy advocates, and crypto enthusiasts who believe in the principles of privacy, freedom, and self-sovereignty.

Dan Ligocký, an event producer with ties to the ethereum community, has been working at Paralelní Polis for over two years. He praises the space for fostering innovation and exploration of decentralized technologies. Ligocký states that Paralelní Polis aligns with the core principles of the Web3 movement and welcomes collaboration with like-minded individuals.

Paralelní Polis is where technology, philosophy, and activism intersect. It exists in contrast to Hradčany, a district in Prague where a massive castle complex symbolizes the historical power and influence of royalty. The Lobkowicz family, descendants of nobles, occasionally host crypto events at the castle complex. These events focus on digital assets and have experimented with using NFTs for restoration projects.

The two locations, Paralelní Polis and the castle complex, represent the duality of the Czech people. Prague is a city with a rich history of resistance against authoritarian regimes. Czechs are naturally skeptical of authority, having experienced monarchy, Nazi occupation, and communist rule in the 20th century. This skepticism is reflected in the fact that the Czech Republic has not adopted the euro despite being a member of the EU. The story of Prague’s crypto anarchy is one of decentralized collective action and resistance against oppressive powers.

Paralelní Polis is not limited to Prague alone. Franchises of Polis have emerged in Vienna, Barcelona, and two cities in Slovakia, expanding the reach of the cryptoliberation movement. These branches offer co-working spaces, conference halls for tech events, and experimental tech areas. They also provide opportunities for education and training in cryptoanarchy, aiming to enlist more people in the movement.

The current adversaries of the cryptoanarchists are not military regimes, but rather centralized powers that control and surveil the internet. These coders aim to create a decentralized economy powered by blockchain technology and anonymous tools. Their ultimate goal is to challenge and overcome the authority of these centralized entities.

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