Aztec Network is the first layer-2 project focused on protecting user privacy, allowing them to operate on the blockchain privately while ensuring transparency and security. How does Aztec Network achieve this? Let's explore this in the article below.
What is Aztec Network? Exploring the layer-2 solution that protects user privacy
What is Aztec Network?
Aztec Network is a layer-2 solution on Ethereum, focused on providing privacy and scalability for decentralized applications (dApps). By using Zero-Knowledge Proofs technology, Aztec allows users to perform anonymous and secure transactions on Ethereum, while reducing transaction costs by up to 100 times.
What is Aztec Network?
Aztec Network's vision is to become the first layer-2 solution focused on privacy, providing scalability and security for transactions and decentralized applications.
The project aims to provide private transactions while ensuring transparency and public verifiability, and allowing developers to integrate security features into their applications without affecting other functionalities.
Core Technologies of Aztec Network
PLONK
PLONK is an improved zk-proofs technology derived from zk-SNARKs, offering several advantages such as:
- More Flexible: PLONK allows creating zero-knowledge proofs for a wider range of complex computations compared to zk-SNARKs, effectively supporting sophisticated private DeFi applications.
- Higher Computational Efficiency: PLONK can create and verify proofs faster in some cases, especially with large computational circuits.
- Universal and Updatable Trusted Setup: PLONK uses a single universal reference parameter for all applications, instead of requiring a separate setup for each application like the original zk-SNARKs. This simplifies application development and deployment. The parameter can also be safely updated, reducing risks associated with the initial setup.
Aztec Rollup
The Rollup used by Aztec is a "hybrid" zkRollup between public and private states, aiming to provide a secure and scalable smart contract execution environment on Ethereum. This solution allows smart contracts to flexibly interact between public and private states, enabling new applications such as anonymous voting, private trading on public AMMs, and more.
Aztec's Products
Noir Programming Language
Noir is an open-source programming language developed by Aztec Network, aimed at simplifying the creation of secure applications using zero-knowledge proofs technology. With a syntax similar to Rust, Noir helps developers easily approach and create ZK programs without deep cryptographic knowledge.
Noir Programming Language
One of Noir's key advantages is its flexibility, allowing the use of both on-chain and off-chain, and compatibility with various proof systems. This means Noir is not limited to the Aztec ecosystem, but can be widely applied in other blockchain projects.
Additionally, Noir integrates basic cryptographic functions, allowing developers to avoid implementing them from scratch. This reduces risks and improves efficiency in the development of secure applications.
Aztec Sandbox
Aztec Sandbox
Aztec Sandbox is a local development environment provided by Aztec Network, helping developers easily build and test high-security smart contracts. This is the first step in Aztec's roadmap to develop a decentralized layer-2 network, prioritizing privacy on Ethereum.
Aztec Foundation
The Aztec Foundation is a non-profit organization established on February 13, 2025, with the goal of supporting the development of open-source privacy. This organization marks an important step for Aztec Network in moving towards the deployment of a fully decentralized network that protects privacy on Ethereum.
Aztec Foundation
As the governing body of Aztec Network, the Aztec Foundation focuses on cryptographic research to enhance individual freedom. The organization also supports developers in building privacy-preserving applications, ensuring compliance with the Noir programming language.
The leadership team of the Aztec Foundation includes co-founder Zac Williamson, who will serve as the Chairman and Chair of the Board of Directors, and Arnaud Schenk, the Chief Executive Officer and a board member. Herbert Sterchi, one of the founding members of the Ethereum Switzerland GmbH, also joins the board of the organization.
Development Team
Aztec Network's Development Team
Aztec Network is led by a team with extensive experience in the blockchain and cryptography fields. The key members include:
- Zac Williamson (CEO - Co-founder): Doctor of Particle Physics from the University of Oxford and has previously worked in the investment banking industry before transitioning to blockchain.
- Joe Andrews (CPO - Co-founder): Previously the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the food tech startup Radish in Silicon Valley. He is also an experienced developer and was a member of the EF9 team.
- Lisa Cuesta Bunin (COO): She holds an MBA from Harvard and a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Aztec, she worked at NextGen Venture Partners and Google, where she was responsible for launching products globally.
- Charlie Lye (CTO): He plays a key role in developing the technical solutions of the Aztec Network.
Investors
Aztec Network's Investors
Aztec Network has raised a total of $117 million from investors such as a16z crypto, Paradigm, a_capital, Variant,...
Tokenomics
Currently, Aztec Network does not have any plans to issue a token, Coin68 will update when more information is available.
Summary
This is all the information about the Aztec Network project, Coin68 hopes that readers will have a better understanding of the project and its core technologies. Wishing you all useful knowledge!
Note: The information in this article should not be considered investment advice, Coin68 is not responsible for any investment decisions you make.
