Vitalik Buterin has launched a demo for an AI-moderated anonymous message board on the Aztec network, with source code available on GitHub.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has unveiled a demo of an anonymous message board designed for the Aztec Layer 2 network. The source code for this innovative project is now available on GitHub.
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) July 19, 2026
Buterin described this prototype as a "toy version," stemming from an idea he proposed in 2022, and aims to create a unique moderated platform.
"This is an early stage, but already very interesting and non-trivial things can be done," he stated.
To participate, users deposit ETH via a smart contract on the Ethereum mainnet, enabling them to post messages on the Aztec network. These funds are retrievable back to Layer 1 later.
While the deposit amount and address are public, the messages remain anonymous as they do not link back to the sender's address. Users who deposit funds but have not withdrawn them form an anonymity group, ensuring privacy for their posts.
The system allows users to publish messages based on their deposit size, with a base delay of one hour between publications. The rates are as follows:
- 0.001 ETH — one message per hour;
- 0.005 ETH — five messages per hour;
- 0.01 ETH — ten messages per hour.
Unused message limits can be accumulated for future use, but a new deposit resets the delay timer.
A moderator, referred to in the code as "censor," oversees the platform, with the authority to hide messages that violate established guidelines. The severity of penalties for infractions is adjustable during contract deployment.
The policy governing the platform is stored on-chain and can be accessed by the user interface and moderator tools. A local daemon with a large language model automates the verification of new posts against this policy.
The current setup utilizes llama.cpp and the Qwen3.5-2B model, which operates locally without external API access. The moderation rights can be transferred to multi-signature wallets or DAOs, though the protocol does not automatically distribute these powers.
This early version of the project is still under development, with some components untested, including a known issue that could potentially block the contract but does not allow for theft of funds. Further enhancements are needed to bolster security and usability.
In a previous statement, Buterin emphasized that privacy is crucial for personal freedom and societal protection. He also launched the Kohaku project, which aims to develop secure wallets with improved privacy features.
