Derek Ross
Technical evangelist for nostr, a decentralized and censorship-resistant social communication protocol. Leveraging passion for technology and technical expertise to advocate for nostr's potential to address social media and societal challenges, striving to make a positive impact on the world.
About Derek
A tech industry veteran with 20 years of experience, passionate about decentralization and empowering users through open protocols.
Background
Tech Industry Veteran
Derek is a tech industry veteran with 20 years of experience, having excelled as a systems administrator, mobile tech journalist, and consultant. His impact extends to major events like Nostrica, Nostriga, the Baltic Honeybadger Bitcoin conference, and BTC Prague, where he speaks about nostr, a decentralized and censorship-resistant social communication protocol.
Derek's talks revolve around nostr education, growing nostr adoption, and empowering users to choose their own algorithms. Derek has also organized "nostr booths" at various conferences, which serve as key hubs for exploring and discussing the nostr protocol.
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 decentralization, censorship resistance, and reclaiming our attention. He explores how nostr allows users to control their portable digital identities and provides general education on the protocol.
Derek connects with a wide range of audiences, from Bitcoin enthusiasts who see nostr as the ideal app for the Lightning Network to those interested in innovative ideas like Zaps and Zapvertising. He also 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. He strongly believes that the nostr protocol could revolutionize social communication by making it more open, transparent, and resistant to censorship. Derek is dedicated to educating people about the many benefits of nostr and is excited to see its widespread adoption as a means of improving the world.
Why Nostr?
Nostr stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. Like HTTP or Email, nostr is a protocol; an open standard in which anyone can build and everyone is free to participate. Nostr is designed with simplicity, empowering developers to build decentralized and censorship resistant tools for users across the globe.
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.
Latest Notes
Derek's latest thoughts and quick updates from his Nostr feed.
Latest Articles
In-depth articles and long-form content from Derek about Nostr protocol, decentralization, and the future of digital communication.
Photo Gallery
A visual journey through Derek's speaking events, conferences, and Nostr community gatherings.
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Conference Highlights
Community Builder
Speaking Engagement
Conference Presentation
Nostr Advocacy
Media Interview
Nostr Guides
Nostr is still a bit technical, as the technical layers and user experiences are being actively developed and built. Navigate the nostr ecosystem, learn all about nostr, watch presentations, slideshows, and find extensive how-to guides.
General Guides
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.
Additional Resources
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 & Expertise
Derek offers a range of services to help individuals, organizations, and developers understand, implement, and benefit from the nostr protocol and decentralized technologies.
Speaking Engagements
Derek speaks at international Bitcoin and nostr conferences, sharing expertise on decentralization, censorship resistance, and nostr education.
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 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 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
Nostr Solutions
Comprehensive solutions and 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?
Whether you need a speaker for your conference, want to learn about nostr, or need technical consulting, Derek is here to help you navigate the decentralized future.
Speaking Events
Derek has spoken at numerous international Bitcoin and nostr conferences, sharing his expertise on decentralization, censorship resistance, and empowering users to choose their own algorithms.
Upcoming Events
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Speaking Topics
Media & Podcasts
Browse Derek's media library featuring him discussing nostr, Bitcoin, and related topics. These include interviews and discussions covering nostr education, adoption, building communities, and the protocol's impact on the future of social 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?
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
Soapbox Sessions is your weekly dose of all things Nostr + AI. It's our Soapbox about what's new, what's cool, and what's coming. We want to make it easy to understand and keep up with everything going on in the decentralized world of Nostr and AI as we work to rebuild the Internet.
Featured Discussion Topics
Get in Touch
For inquiries regarding nostr speaking engagements, consulting services, or media appearances, please do not hesitate to contact Derek Ross. 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