Derek Ross
Keynote speaker, builder, and the decentralized web's loudest evangelist. I help people and companies make sense of AI, Bitcoin, and Nostr — and build on the open protocols rewiring the internet.
Trusted on stages worldwide
About
The Nostr Evangelist
Developer Relations at Soapbox with 20+ years in tech — turning AI, decentralization, and open protocols into ideas anyone can act on.
Background
Developer Relations at Soapbox
Derek works in Developer Relations at Soapbox, where he evangelizes Shakespeare — an AI-powered app builder that lets anyone create web applications through natural conversation, deployed on decentralized infrastructure powered by the Nostr protocol. He also champions Soapbox's flagship Nostr social client Ditto and the human-rights activist platform Agora.
With 20+ years of experience in technology, Derek has excelled as a systems administrator, mobile tech journalist, and consultant. He speaks at international Bitcoin and nostr conferences including Nostrica, Nostriga, the Baltic Honeybadger, BTC Prague, and The Bitcoin Conference, covering topics like AI, vibe coding, decentralization, and censorship resistance.
He is also a founder of Nostr Plebs, a nostr services provider, and is actively involved in the development of Nostr Nests, a nostr powered audio space.
Speaking Events
International Conferences
Derek has spoken at numerous international Bitcoin and nostr conferences, sharing his expertise on topics like AI, vibe coding, decentralization, censorship resistance, and reclaiming our attention. He explores how nostr allows users to control their portable digital identities and leads workshops on building with Shakespeare and AI tools.
Derek connects with a wide range of audiences, from chamber of commerce members learning about AI to Bitcoin enthusiasts exploring the Lightning Network. He supports developers by advocating for creative freedom and empowers users by helping them take charge of their social graphs.
Nostr Fixes Social Media
Derek is passionate about using technology to drive global progress. At Soapbox, he works to make decentralized technology accessible to everyone through tools like Shakespeare. He strongly believes that the nostr protocol can revolutionize social communication by making it more open, transparent, and resistant to censorship.
The Protocol
Why Nostr Wins
Nostr stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. Like HTTP or email, it's a protocol — an open standard anyone can build on and everyone is free to join. Radically simple by design, it hands developers the power to ship decentralized, censorship-resistant tools for people everywhere.
Nostr is Open
Nostr is an open social protocol that lets people create, connect, and interact globally without the noise of ads or algorithms. It fosters a space where genuine human interactions are the focus, free from the distractions common in traditional social platforms.
Nostr is Censorship Resistant
Nostr runs on a decentralized system that doesn't rely on a few trusted servers for data transmission and storage. This setup eliminates the need for centralized authorities that could impose bans or censorship, ensuring a communication network that remains strong, open, and resilient.
Nostr is Decentralized
You can run your own nostr client or relay, giving you direct control over parts of the nostr protocol's infrastructure. Nostr is built by the users, for the users.
Nostr Utilizes Clients
Clients serve as the cornerstone of the nostr protocol, endowing users with the capacity to tailor their social experiences to their own personal preferences and specifications.
Users in Control
Users have the ability choose which relays to utilize, putting users in charge of their social graph and identity for the very first time. Nostr provides users with a portable digital social identity that they own and that they can take with them from application to application.
Nostr's "Other Stuff" is Exciting
In our current societal landscape, the demand for social interaction has never been more paramount. Therefore, the most popular use cases for nostr are twitter like alternatives. However, it is worth noting that the most exciting use cases for nostr extend beyond legacy social media client alternatives.
Live feed
Latest Notes
Unfiltered thoughts, hot takes, and quick updates — straight from Derek's Nostr feed in real time.
Long-form
Latest Articles
Deep dives on Nostr, decentralization, and the future of digital communication — written to make the open web make sense.
On the road
Photo Gallery
A visual journey through Derek's keynotes, conferences, and Nostr community gatherings around the world.
Loading photos from Nostr…
Conference Highlights
Community Builder
Speaking Engagement
Conference Presentation
Nostr Advocacy
Media Interview
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Bitcoin 2026
Learn & Build
Guides & Presentations
Talks on AI and emerging tech, hands-on walkthroughs of the Nostr ecosystem, and deep-dive how-to guides. From AI fundamentals to decentralized social media, these are the resources that make the technologies shaping our future click.
AI & Technology
A comprehensive presentation on leveraging AI for small to medium businesses, with a focus on vibe coding and building with Shakespeare - our AI tool for web development.
A beginner-friendly introduction to artificial intelligence and Large Language Models (LLMs), covering AI fundamentals, real-world applications, the regulatory landscape, and best practices for working with AI tools. Presented at the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce.
Nostr Basics
Practical guide for getting started with nostr clients and understanding the basics.
Understanding nostr addresses and how they work for identity verification.
A beginner's guide to nostr. This presentation explains the technology behind nostr, including clients, relays, and public key cryptography.
Zaps & Lightning
Learn about nostr-aware bitcoin payments and how they revolutionize social media monetization.
Discover how zaps can be used for advertising and content promotion in a decentralized way.
Community events focused on zapping and supporting creators on nostr.
Relays & Infrastructure
Understanding the backbone of nostr - relay servers and how they work.
Learn about the outbox model for improved relay management and content discovery.
Nostr Apps & Ecosystem
A NosVegas 2026 talk on how Ditto — the Soapbox-built Nostr social app — is bringing back the playful, customizable, weird internet of the MySpace/GeoCities era. Covers profile themes, the carnival of Ditto features (Vines, Treasures, Magic Decks, Virtual Pets, and more), and why it's all just Nostr underneath.
A World Liberty Congress training on Bitchat — the peer-to-peer Bluetooth-mesh messaging app that keeps people connected during internet shutdowns and platform bans. Covers how Bitchat works, real-world deployments from Indonesia to Uganda, live demos, and an honest take on when Bitchat is — and isn't — the right tool.
Keep Exploring
NostrApps.com
A directory of applications and services built on the nostr protocol, aimed at helping users find the best tools to suit their needs.
Grow Nostr
A comprehensive resource site with getting started guides, strategies, resources, and events to grow nostr adoption and help expand the ecosystem.
Ready to dive deeper into the Nostr ecosystem?
Services
Work With a Nostr Insider
As Developer Relations at Soapbox, Derek helps individuals, organizations, and developers understand, implement, and win with AI, the nostr protocol, and decentralized technologies.
Speaking Engagements
Derek speaks at international conferences on AI, vibe coding, decentralization, and nostr education, including Bitcoin conferences, chamber of commerce events, and technology workshops.
Key Features:
- Conference Presentations
- Workshop Facilitation
- Panel Discussions
- Keynote Speeches
Nostr Booth Organization
Derek organizes 'nostr booths' at various conferences, serving as key hubs for exploring and discussing the nostr protocol.
Key Features:
- Conference Booth Setup
- Live Demonstrations
- Community Engagement
- Protocol Education
Nostr Education & Training
Comprehensive education on AI tools, vibe coding, and the nostr protocol, helping users understand decentralized social communication and take control of their digital identity.
Key Features:
- Protocol Fundamentals
- Client Setup Guidance
- Relay Management
- Security Best Practices
Nostr Development Consulting
Technical consulting for AI-powered development with Shakespeare, nostr application development, protocol implementation, and ecosystem integration.
Key Features:
- Protocol Implementation
- Client Development
- Relay Setup
- Integration Support
Podcast & Media Appearances
Derek regularly appears on podcasts and media shows to discuss nostr, Bitcoin, and decentralized technologies.
Key Features:
- Podcast Interviews
- Video Content
- Technical Discussions
- Community Outreach
Community Building
Building and nurturing nostr communities, helping users connect and grow the decentralized social ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Community Management
- User Onboarding
- Event Organization
- Ecosystem Growth
Built at Soapbox
As Developer Relations at Soapbox, Derek champions the freedom-tech products reshaping the decentralized web.
Shakespeare
Open-source AI website builder for the decentralized web — describe what you want, build it with AI, and deploy it on infrastructure you own.
Key Features:
Ditto
Soapbox's flagship Nostr social client — radically customizable, self-hostable, and built to make the internet fun again. Your content, your vibe, your rules.
Key Features:
Agora
A decentralized activist platform on Nostr and Bitcoin — built with and for human-rights activists to organize freely, communicate safely, and resist censorship.
Key Features:
Nostr Solutions
Battle-tested services Derek has built to strengthen and expand the Nostr ecosystem.
Nostr Plebs
A Nostr services provider offering Nostr Addresses, private relays, Lightning address forwarding, directory services, and expert support.
Key Features:
Nostr Elites
A Web of Trust relay filtering out spam and unwanted content, ensuring a safer Nostr experience through a trusted network.
Key Features:
Grow Nostr Initiative
Dedicated to expanding the Nostr ecosystem through education, community initiatives, and protocol innovation.
Key Features:
Nostr Applications
Applications built by Derek for the Nostr ecosystem.
Nostr Repositories
Open source repositories and contributions to the Nostr ecosystem.
Ready to Work Together?
Need a speaker who can fill a room, a guide to AI and nostr, or technical consulting on decentralized tech? Derek will help you navigate the future — and build it.
On Stage
Speaking Engagements
From Bitcoin and Nostr conferences to chamber-of-commerce workshops, Derek takes the stage worldwide to demystify AI, vibe coding, decentralization, and censorship resistance.
Upcoming Events
Loading Nostr calendar events...
Nothing on the calendar — yet
The next stage is open. Bring Derek to your conference, meetup, or workshop.
Speaking Topics
A toolkit of talks tuned for any room — pick a theme or let Derek tailor one to your audience.
In the Media
Podcasts, Talks & Press
A growing library of interviews, keynotes, and deep dives where Derek unpacks AI, vibe coding, Nostr, Bitcoin, and the rebuild of the open internet — one conversation at a time.
2026
Vibe Coding on Bitcoin
Protocol vs Platform: Nostr's Utility Beyond Social Media
AI + Bitcoin + Nostr = Freedom Tech Stack
This AI Agent Experiment Is About to Change Bitcoin Forever
UK's Under-16 Social Media Ban Risks Digital ID Expansion
029 They Can't Ban This!
Why Bitcoiners Should Revisit Decentralized Communication
2025
Cirque Du NosVegas with Tanja, Derek Ross & Open Mike
Decentralizing Social Media: Bitcoin, Nostr & Freedom Tech | Martti Malmi & Derek Ross
Are You Even A Bitcoiner If You're Not On Nostr?
Open Communities in the Age of Control - Matt Odell, Derek Ross, & Shawn Yeager
Shakespeare: AI-Powered App Creation on Nostr
021 The Internet Just Split In Two: Which Side Are You On?
What Is Nostr (The New Internet) and Should You Care?
2024
Derek Ross
Derek Ross - Nostr 101 (BWP15)
Kieran & Derek Ross - What the Heck is Nostr Nests?
Nostr: All Your Silos Are Broken
Nostr for Censorship Resistance
Derek Ross: NOSTR + BITCOIN allows humans to reclaim FREE SPEECH & TRANSACT FREELY
Nostr for Beginners w/ Derek Ross
BMS 157: NOSTR Interview with Derek Ross
Nostr Deep Dive with Derek Ross - Bitcoin Infinity Show 126
PlebConf Comes to Nostr Valley with Derek Ross & Seth
Nostr for Builders
Building a Decentralized Future On Nostr
2023
HFSS Episode 5: Derek Ross Nostr Adoption
Derek Ross: Nostr Plebs
Social Media is Broken. Can We Fix It?
#13 Derek Ross - Nostr 101
Derek Ross discusses Nest, Bitcoin and Nostr
Derek Ross on the future of Nostr
Derek Ross - Building Community with Nostr and Project Updates
Holiday Special - Year-End Review with Vanessa, Marce & Derek Ross
#MarceFiles #BH2023 with Derek Ross
Nostr: The secret weapon of Bitcoin influencers
Soapbox Sessions
Your weekly dose of all things Nostr + AI. It's our Soapbox about what's new, what's cool, and what's coming. We make it easy to understand and keep up with everything happening in the decentralized world of Nostr and AI as we rebuild the Internet.
Featured Discussion Topics
The conversations Derek loves having on air — ready-made angles for your next episode.
Contact
Let's Build the Future
Speaking engagements, AI workshops, consulting, or media appearances — reach out and let's make something happen. Your interest is greatly appreciated. Pura vida.
What Can Derek Help With?
Speaking Engagements
Conference presentations, keynotes, and panel discussions
Key Areas:
Consulting Services
Technical consulting for Nostr implementation and strategy
Key Areas:
Media Appearances
Podcast interviews, video content, and media discussions
Key Areas:
Community Events
Meetups, workshops, and community building activities