Derek Ross

2026 is the year Nostr clicks—“Other Stuff” goes mainstream, diVine brings in millions, Shakespeare turns conversations into apps, and NIP-17 finally fixes DMs. Zapstore and ngit mature for the open source ecosystem, and as Nostr gains wider attention, the focus shifts toward privacy-forward messaging—setting the stage for 2027 as the year of WhiteNoise and NIP-EE.

After three years of building apps, running services, and growing the Nostr community, Derek is reflecting on the journey, and what comes next. From founding NostrPlebs and NostrNests to launching the Grow Nostr Initiative and bringing Nostr Booths to conferences worldwide, it's been a wild ride. Now, a major change is on the horizon. This article is a milestone grounded in gratitude and a belief that we have to build the future we want to live in.

Learn how to export your Nostr private key from diVine mobile app and diVine Login to use with other Nostr applications and signers.

A browser extension that keeps your Nostr keys secure while letting you use any Nostr application seamlessly. Available now for Chrome and Firefox.

As Nostr adoption grows and more web applications integrate decentralized identity, payments, and social functionality, it's critical to ensure a seamless and reliable user experience across platforms, devices, and authentication methods. This UX testing script was created to validate core functionality, such as login via popular signing tools (Alby, nos2x, Amber, NAK), zapping on both mobile and desktop, and contact list management, while also ensuring consistency across browsers and operating systems. The goal is to catch usability issues early, maintain trust in decentralized apps, and support a smoother on-boarding experience for new and existing Nostr users.

Transform your old website from a static archive into a dynamic, Nostr-powered hub. Breathe new life into legacy content with AI-powered modernization and live decentralized feeds.