Who Bought the Secret to the CIA’s Kryptos Code?

Paradigm, a crypto-focused venture capital firm, has acquired the solution to the final encrypted panel of the Kryptos sculpture for nearly $1 million, according to details of a 2025 auction. The firm now manages the vetting process for the 97-character K4 code, which has remained unsolved since the artwork was installed at CIA headquarters in 1990.

How did Paradigm acquire the Kryptos solution?

Paradigm won a high-stakes auction in November 2025 to purchase the answer to the K4 panel and a previously unrevealed fifth panel, K5. The winning bid reached nearly $1 million, with artist Jim Sanborn taking home $770,000 from the sale. The prize package included a mini-model of the sculpture and various items from Sanborn’s private archive.

Sanborn, now 80, decided to sell the solution to secure his retirement fund and end the personal burden of managing thousands of incorrect guesses. He reported being deluged by “cockamamie,” AI-assisted submissions in recent years, which prompted the decision to transfer the vetting responsibility to a third party.

What happened with the Smithsonian archives discovery?

The auction was nearly derailed by a discovery made by researchers Jarett Kobek and Richard Byrne. According to reports, Byrne photographed materials from the Kryptos archives held by the Smithsonian, where Kobek subsequently found that Sanborn had unintentionally included the K4 plaintext within his papers.

Despite finding the answer, Kobek and Byrne agreed not to release the solution to the public. This agreement allowed the auction to proceed as planned. Following the incident, the Smithsonian locked down the archives to prevent further accidental leaks of the encrypted text.

Why is a crypto VC firm managing a CIA sculpture’s secret?

Paradigm’s entry into the Kryptos saga aligns with the firm’s technical focus. Co-founded by a co-founder of Coinbase, Paradigm specializes in backing crypto-related companies and building open-source software. The firm has recently pivoted toward AI and robotics as interest in traditional blockchain technology has fluctuated.

By taking over the vetting of K4 guesses, Paradigm shifts the role of “gatekeeper” from a solo artist to a venture firm with significant computational resources. This move suggests a transition from traditional cryptanalysis to a more modernized, tech-heavy approach to solving the puzzle.

Comparing the Old and New Vetting Processes

How will AI impact the search for the K4 solution?

The transition to Paradigm occurs at a time when AI is fundamentally changing cryptanalysis. Sanborn noted that the volume of AI-generated submissions became overwhelming, often lacking the human intuition required to crack complex, multi-layered ciphers. However, the involvement of a firm focused on AI and robotics may accelerate the discovery of the solution through brute-force computing or advanced pattern recognition.

This development mirrors a broader trend in cybersecurity where legacy encryption is being challenged by machine learning. The K4 puzzle, once a test of human ingenuity, is now a target for the same tools Paradigm uses to evaluate its tech investments.

For more on the intersection of art and intelligence, see our guide on modern encryption in public art.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kryptos?

Kryptos is a copper sculpture by Jim Sanborn located at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. It contains four encrypted messages, three of which have been solved.

Who owns the solution to K4 now?

The crypto venture capital firm Paradigm purchased the solution in a 2025 auction for nearly $1 million.

Was K4 solved by a researcher?

Researchers Jarett Kobek and Richard Byrne found the plaintext in the Smithsonian archives, but they agreed not to release it to ensure the auction could take place.

What is the K5 panel?

K5 is an additional encrypted panel created by Sanborn that was not part of the original sculpture but was included in the auction prize.