Why Privacy Matters

By design, most blockchains expose all transaction data publicly. While transparency is beneficial, it creates friction for institutions, asset issuers, and users who need confidentiality. Aztec addresses this structural limitation by making privacy a native, programmable component of the blockchain stack.

Founders and Core Team

Aztec was founded by a team with deep expertise in cryptography and blockchain engineering:

• Zac Williamson (CEO): PhD in physics and co-creator of the PLONK zero-knowledge proof system.

• Joe Andrews: Experienced founder focused on decentralized privacy solutions.

• Tom Walton-Pocock: Leads strategy and protocol development.

Development is handled by Aztec Labs, while network support is coordinated through the Aztec Foundation. The team has been building Ethereum privacy infrastructure for over eight years, guided by cypherpunk principles.

Funding and Partnerships

Aztec has raised between $119 million and $170 million in funding. Key investors include a16z, Paradigm, Coinbase Ventures, Consensys, and Vitalik Buterin. Strategic partners include Uniswap Labs, P2P.org, Nethermind, and ZKV.
The network operates globally with over 185 operators and maintains deep integration with the Ethereum ecosystem, including privacy-focused collaborations such as ZKPassport.

Project Vision

Aztec aims to overcome the limitations imposed by full on-chain transparency. It enables end-to-end privacy for user data and transactions while giving developers granular control over privacy levels. The protocol unlocks new use cases across DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and Web3 applications.

How the Mechanism Works

Aztec operates as a ZK-rollup on Ethereum using a PLONK-based verification system. Ignition Chain decentralizes block sequencing and proof generation. Sequencers stake AZTEC tokens to produce blocks, while provers generate zero-knowledge proofs. Block rewards are distributed 70% to sequencers and 30% to provers.

The Noir programming language simplifies the development of private applications. To date, the network has produced 75,000+ blocks with a verification rate exceeding 99%.

Transaction flow:

1. Users submit tokens or transactions.

2. A zero-knowledge proof is generated.

3. Ethereum mainnet verifies correctness without seeing transaction details.

Core Privacy Features

• Hybrid State Model: Combines Ethereum’s account-based structure with a UTXO-like privacy model.

• Client-Side Proving: ZK proofs are generated locally; sensitive data never leaves the device.

• Noir Language: Enables private dApp development without deep cryptography expertise.

• Call-Stack Obfuscation: Kernel circuits hide function calls and transaction counts.

How Governance Works on Aztec

Network upgrades are executed through a multi-stage, on-chain governance process.

• Proposal Phase

A sequencer proposes a new rollup structure or technical upgrade. The update logic is uploaded on-chain and announced via the governance contract.

• Support Collection

Once sufficient support from other sequencers is gathered, any user may advance the proposal to a vote, preventing stagnation.

• Voting

Staked sequencers vote on the proposal through the governance contract. Decisions are made transparently on-chain.

• Execution

If approved, the update becomes the new canonical rollup and is automatically implemented.

What’s in Development

Programmable Privacy

Private and public smart contracts can coexist within the same architecture. Current focus is on data availability, with future work targeting standardized contract frameworks.

Decentralized Network Structure

Sequencer and prover infrastructure is live. Staking mechanics, gas fees, and governance tooling remain under active development to eliminate central control points.

ZK Proving System

ZK proof libraries are production-ready. Ongoing efforts include security audits and proof delegation, optimized for long-term resilience.

Noir Programming Language

Noir’s core architecture is complete. Testing coverage is expanding, with plans for a Noir 1.0 release.

Roadmap

• 2018: Project founding and PLONK development

• 2022: $100M Series B funding

• November 2025: Ignition Chain launch

• December 2025: Token sale (~$60M)

• January 2026: TGE approval

• February 2026: Token trading begins; Uniswap V4 pool goes live

• Future: Fractional staking, private smart contracts, expanded Ethereum compatibility

AZTEC Token Utility

• Staking: Running or delegating to sequencers

• Governance: Voting on protocol upgrades

• Transaction Fees: Payment for network usage

• Block Rewards: Distributed to sequencers and provers

• Network Security: Supports decentralized PoS security

Token Information and Distribution

AZTEC is the native token of Aztec Network, a privacy-focused Ethereum Layer-2 solution.

• Symbol: AZTEC

• Total Supply: 10.35 billion

• Launch: December 2025 via Uniswap CCA (~$350M FDV)

• Vesting: Team and investors — 1-year cliff + 2-year vesting

Tokens are held in Aztec Token Position (ATP) contracts on Ethereum, enforcing lockups and release schedules on-chain. This structure enables locking, gradual unlocking, and temporary exclusion from staking or governance, ensuring strict, programmatic distribution discipline.

Allocation Breakdown

• Investors & early backers: 27.26%

• Core team: 21.06%

• Foundation: 11.71%

• Ecosystem grants: 10.73%

• Future incentives: 4.89%

• Year-1 network rewards: 2.41%

• Liquidity & reserves: 21.96%

Ecosystem and Applications

• Azguard Wallet: Browser wallet for private asset management

• Nemi DEX: Privacy-preserving trading with transparent amounts

• Nyx, Olla, Raven House: Private NFT ownership and marketplaces

• ZKPassport: Selective disclosure of real-world identity on-chain

The network is supported by 3,400+ sequencers across five continents, with active testnets, grants, and ecosystem growth initiatives.

Key Features

• Programmable privacy layers

• Decentralized architecture from launch

• 99%+ verification rate with Ethereum compatibility

• Simplified ZK development via Noir

• Hybrid public/private execution model

• Incentive-driven security through block rewards

Official Links

• Website: https://aztec.network
• Economic Whitepaper (Tokenomics): https://aztec.network/economic-whitepaper
• Blog: https://aztec.network/blog
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/aztecnetwork

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Binance Alpha users can participate in the ALEO airdrop starting September 14, 2025, at 08:00 UTC. Users must have at least 200 Binance Alpha Points to join. Users with a minimum of 200 points can claim an airdrop of 165 ALEO tokens on a first-come, first-served basis. If the rewards are not fully claimed, the point threshold will automatically decrease by 15 points every hour. 

The airdrop follows a first-come, first-served principle and will end once the pool is fully distributed or the event duration expires. 

Important Notes 

• Users claiming the airdrop must approve their claim on time to avoid losing their rewards. 
• Detailed airdrop rules and updates will be announced via Binance’s official channels. 

What is Aleo?

Aleo is an innovative Layer-1 blockchain platform focusing on privacy and security. Using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) technology, it enables transaction validation without exposing sensitive information about parties or transaction details. This approach is especially valuable in industries like finance, healthcare, and data management, where privacy is critical. 

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Core Idea and Objectives of Aleo 

Aleo aims to address growing privacy concerns in the digital world. Users can interact and transact on Aleo while maintaining complete privacy. This enables them to benefit from blockchain’s decentralization, immutability, and transparency while protecting personal and sensitive information. 

Aleo also provides developers with opportunities to create privacy-first applications. This enhances user security and opens new possibilities in areas requiring strict data privacy. 

Team and Founders 

Aleo is developed by Aleo Systems. The team consists of experts with deep experience in cryptography and blockchain. Designed as an open-source ecosystem, Aleo encourages community participation and feedback-driven governance. 

• Howard Wu – Founder & CEO 
• Alessandro Chiesa – Founder, ZKP pioneer 
• Raymond Cheng (CTO) – Expert in software engineering and distributed systems 

Investors and Partnerships 

• Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) – Leading crypto and tech investor 
• Coinbase Ventures – Investment arm of Coinbase 
• SoftBank Vision Fund – Global tech investment fund 
• Polychain Capital – Blockchain-focused investment fund 

How Aleo Works 

• Aleo operates using Zero-Knowledge Proofs, allowing transaction validity verification without exposing transaction data. 
• Provers and Verifiers: Network participants generate proofs (provers) and verify their validity (verifiers), maintaining decentralization and security. 
• Leo Programming Language: Aleo features Leo, a privacy-focused language that simplifies building ZKP applications. 
• Hybrid POW/POS Consensus: Aleo uses a hybrid mechanism to ensure transaction security and decentralization. 
• AleoHQ & AleoBFT: Specialized algorithms providing cost-efficiency, security, and participant incentives. 

Key Features 

• Layer-1 blockchain: Secure, private transaction infrastructure 
• ZKP-based verification: Protects sensitive data 
• Developer-friendly: Enables privacy-centric smart contracts 
• Aleo’s architecture allows nodes to collaboratively store encrypted user and application data while remaining independent. 

Governance 

Aleo blockchain adopts an open-source community governance model. Aleo Systems focuses on development and product creation, while community participation plays a crucial role in network governance. 

Roadmap 

• Deploy and run programs locally 
• Operate SnarkOS provers 
• Deploy and run programs on-chain 
• Run incentive-based SnarkOS beacons (consensus nodes) 
• Launch Mainnet 

Token Use Cases 

• Transaction Fees & Network Services: ALEO tokens are used to pay for network transactions and smart contracts. 
• Incentives & Rewards: Provers and validators earn ALEO for services, along with community incentives. 
• Staking: Token holders can stake with validators to enhance network security and earn rewards. 
• Governance: Post-mainnet, token holders can vote on project decisions 

Token Information 

• Total Supply: 1.81B ALEO 
• Max Supply: Unlimited (∞) 
• Circulating Supply: 472.23M ALEO 

Token Distribution 

• Early Backers: 34% 
• Grants & Education: 25% 
• Employees & Contributors: 17% 
• Aleo Network Foundation & Provable: 16% 
• Strategic Partners: 8% 

Ecosystem and Features 

Aleo’s ecosystem provides broad opportunities for developers of privacy-centric applications: 

• Privacy-first smart contracts 
• Secure messaging and voting systems 
• Personal data management and healthcare apps 
• By leveraging ZKP, Aleo offers an ideal infrastructure for scenarios requiring data security and user privacy. 

Official Links 

• Website
• Twitter
• Discord

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Zano’s distinguishing feature is its hybrid PoW/PoS consensus and Confidential Assets support. This enables high security while allowing developers to issue their own privacy tokens on the Zano chain. 

Founders & Team

The key figure behind Zano is Andrey Sabelnikov (Zoidberg), the lead developer of the privacy-first CryptoNote protocol, which underpins Monero and other privacy projects. Another co-founder, Pavel Ravaga, plays a major role in strategic guidance and community development. The team has extensive experience in developing privacy-focused blockchains, including Boolberry and Zano. 

Investors & Partnerships

Zano was funded via a small premine model, supporting development, marketing, and community growth. While maintaining decentralization, the project has begun integrations with popular wallets like Cake Wallet and Bitcoin.com Wallet. 

Project Concept

• Zano’s primary goal is to be a Layer-1 blockchain with privacy as the default. 
• Users can create their own Confidential Assets. 
• Ionic Swaps enable secure, anonymous asset exchanges on-chain. 
• Escrow contracts allow trustless P2P transactions. 
• The nickname system (@username) provides a user-friendly experience. 

Governance

1. Zano employs a community-driven governance model. 
2. The Zano Governance system allows stakeholders to vote anonymously on network decisions. 
3. Foundation funds are intended to be decentralized via multi-signature wallets. 

Roadmap Highlights 

• Zarcanum Hardfork: Integration of RingCT, Confidential Assets, and the world’s first hidden PoS algorithm. 
• Mobile Wallet: New app with Confidential Assets support. 
• DEX: Trading Zano and Confidential Assets with Ionic Swaps. 
• Browser Extension: DEX and wallet integration. 
• New Wallet App (Q1 2026): Intuitive user interface. 
• P2P Network Privacy Upgrade (Q1 2026): Enhanced network privacy research. 
• Consensus Upgrade (Q1 2026): Strengthened network security. 
• Hardware Wallet Support (Q2 2026): Integration for Zano and Confidential Assets. 

Features 

• Zarcanum: World’s first hidden-amount PoS scheme. 
• Confidential Assets: User-generated privacy tokens. 
• Ionic Swaps: Anonymous exchanges between crypto assets. 
• Hybrid PoW/PoS: Enhanced security and double-spending prevention. 
• Auditable Wallets: Optional transparent wallets. 
• Core Performance: High computational efficiency and modularity. 
• Untraceable Transactions: Ring signatures and stealth addresses. 
• Nicknames: Short, memorable usernames. 
• Escrow Contracts: Trustless, intermediary-free agreements. 
• Marketplace API: Privacy integration for developers. 

Token Utility

• ZANO serves multiple functions within the ecosystem: 
• Paying transaction fees (all fees are burned—deflationary effect). 
• PoS staking rewards. 
• PoW mining rewards. 
• Collateral for escrow contracts. 
• Base asset for creating Confidential Assets. 
• Voting in on-chain governance. 

Token Information 

• Token Name: Zano 
• Launch Year: 2019 
• Supply: No maximum, limited low-inflation emission. 
• Total Supply: 14.31M  
• Circulating Supply: 13.43M 

Token Distribution: 100% block rewards to miners and stakers; premine of 3.6M ZANO (~5.4% of supply) for development and marketing. 

Ecosystem 

• Zano Trade (P2P Market): Secure crypto and fiat trading with escrow. 
• Zano DEX: Private trading with Confidential Assets. 
• Auditable Wallets: Optional transparency. 
• Nicknames: User-friendly addressing system. 
• Marketplace API: On-chain trading infrastructure for developers. 

Official Links 

• Website
• Telegram
• Twitter
• Discord

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