# Blog > Network releases, research summaries, Noir updates, ecosystem news, and explanations of how Aztec works. Canonical: https://aztec.network/blog Type: Article index Publisher: Aztec Foundation - [RollingChat: a messaging board where the author stays private](https://aztec.network/blog/rolling-chat-private-messaging-board) — A private messaging board built on Aztec, with automated moderation and an integrated AI bot. - [Introducing the Aztec Foundation Delegation Program](https://aztec.network/blog/introducing-the-aztec-foundation-delegation-program) (5 November 2026) — 100M AZTEC delegated to the operators who make the network stronger - [A New Brand for Aztec](https://aztec.network/blog/a-new-brand-for-aztec) (4 November 2026) — Today Aztec has a new brand, a new website, and a focused mission: Aztec is the platform for unstoppable private apps. - [Introducing Aztec Tierra (Alpha V6)](https://aztec.network/blog/introducing-aztec-tierra) (3 November 2026) — The platform for unstoppable private apps is live. Major security upgrades, 2x speedup in private transactions, a growing ecosystem of private apps, and a bold new identity mark Aztec's next chapter. - [Noir 1.0 Is Live](https://aztec.network/blog/noir-1-0-is-live) (29 October 2026) — A stable foundation for zero-knowledge applications and private smart contracts on Aztec - [Post-Quantum Aztec](https://aztec.network/blog/post-quantum-aztec) (15 October 2026) — How Aztec protects private data from quantum attacks today, and our plan for full post-quantum security. - [The Aztec stack, from the language up](https://aztec.network/blog/the-aztec-stack-from-the-language-up) (21 September 2026) — Aztec is three layers. Noir is the language for writing programs that can be proved. The contract framework splits execution between your device and the network. The rollup underneath is run by thousands of independent sequencers. This is how they fit together. - [Privacy is only as good as whoever can turn it off](https://aztec.network/blog/who-holds-the-off-switch) (21 September 2026) — Every privacy system has an off-switch. What matters is who holds it, and on most networks the answer is an operator. Here is why Aztec was built so that nobody does. - [Alpha V5 Proving System Vulnerability](https://aztec.network/blog/alpha-v5-proving-system-vulnerability) (7 August 2026) — Contributors identified a critical vulnerability in Aztec's V5 Alpha proving system, the kind of finding Alpha testing exists to surface, with the fix planned for V6. - [Dark Forest Aztec Game Goes Live](https://aztec.network/blog/dark-forest-aztec-game-goes-live) (4 August 2026) — Dark Forest Aztec, built by DFArchon, ports the classic zero-knowledge strategy game to Aztec, where your home coordinates and fleet movements live as private notes that stay hidden even as the universe runs onchain. Round One is live as an alpha: explore a dark map, capture planets, hunt artifacts, and try to find your rivals before they find you. - [How Gas Works on Aztec](https://aztec.network/blog/how-gas-works-on-aztec) (22 July 2026) — Every transaction on Aztec costs gas, and gas on Aztec works in two ways: public or private. This article covers how gas is paid, why it has a public and a private mode, and how you handle it whether you're working through an app or a browser extension wallet. - [Introducing Alpha V5](https://aztec.network/blog/introducing-alpha-v5) (21 July 2026) — Alpha V5 reduces private-transaction proving times by over 2x, drops average block production time from 14 to 6 seconds, stabilizes the network with major security updates, and launches the first wave of privacy-preserving apps. - [Inside an Aztec Transaction](https://aztec.network/blog/inside-an-aztec-transaction) (30 June 2026) — Aztec was built so that one transaction can carry two aspects. A private half that executes on your own device, and a public half that executes on the network. - [The Devil's Bargain - Privacy Without Credible Neutrality](https://aztec.network/blog/the-devils-bargain) (23 June 2026) — Zac Williamson argues that credible neutrality is what actually unlocks institutional adoption and composable private markets, because a settlement layer that can see and censor everything cannot become durable financial infrastructure. - [The Aztec Stack](https://aztec.network/blog/the-aztec-stack) (26 May 2026) — Aztec is built on one idea: smart contracts where developers choose what is public and what is private. The Aztec Stack is how Aztec delivers programmable privacy for Ethereum. - [10 Privacy Features Ethereum Devs Want. All of them live on Aztec.](https://aztec.network/blog/10-privacy-features-ethereum-devs-want-all-of-them-live-on-aztec) (19 May 2026) — An answer to PSE’s Top 10 Private-Transfer Problems - [Announcing the Alpha Network](https://aztec.network/blog/announcing-the-alpha-network) (31 March 2026) — The First Feature Complete Privacy Stack is Here - [Critical Vulnerability in Alpha v4](https://aztec.network/blog/critical-vulnerability-in-alpha-v4) (27 March 2026) - [How Aztec Governance Works](https://aztec.network/blog/how-aztec-governance-works) (18 March 2026) — Decentralization is not just a technical property of the Aztec Network, it is the governing principle. - [Alpha Network Security: What to Expect](https://aztec.network/blog/alpha-network-security-what-to-expect) (10 March 2026) — As the Aztec network enters a new phase of development, "Alpha", transactions will be enabled if the governance system successfully passes a vote on the upgrade. This post outlines the security properties of this Alpha network and the rationale behind our approach. - [Aztec Network: Roadmap Update](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-network-roadmap-update) (4 March 2026) — The first fully decentralized, privacy-preserving L2 on Ethereum is ready to ship. - [Aztec Ignition Chain Update](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-ignition-chain-update) (30 January 2026) — The first decentralized L2 on Ethereum reaches 75k block height with 30M $AZTEC distributed through block rewards. - [The $AZTEC TGE Vote: What You Need to Know](https://aztec.network/blog/the-aztec-tge-vote-what-you-need-to-know) (22 January 2026) — Immediately following the $AZTEC token sale, tokens could be withdrawn from the sale website into your personal Token Vault smart contracts on the Ethereum mainnet. As we approach the TGE vote, all token sale participants will be able to vote to unlock their tokens and make them tradable. - [$AZTEC TGE: Next Steps For Holders](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-tge-next-steps) (6 December 2025) — Everything you need to know about withdrawing, staking, and voting with your $AZTEC tokens - [The ticker is $AZTEC](https://aztec.network/blog/the-ticker-is-aztec) (13 November 2025) — Introducing a community-first, fair-access token sale with up to a 75% discount for long-term aligned contributors - [Your Favorite DeFi Apps, Now With Privacy](https://aztec.network/blog/your-favorite-defi-apps-now-with-privacy) (28 October 2025) — How Aztec is Adding Privacy to Apps Across the Ethereum Ecosystem - [Bringing Private Over-The-Counter (OTC) Swaps to Crypto](https://aztec.network/blog/bringing-private-over-the-counter-otc-swaps-to-crypto) (22 October 2025) — How to Move Whale-Sized Bags Without Making Waves - [Your Private Money Yearns for a Private Economy](https://aztec.network/blog/your-private-money-yearns-for-a-private-economy) (15 October 2025) — How to privately put your $ZEC to work using Aztec - [Aztec: The Private World Computer](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-the-private-world-computer) (8 October 2025) — Building a fully decentralized, privacy-preserving network to unlock the next Renaissance. - [Testnet Retro - 2.0.3 Network Upgrade](https://aztec.network/blog/testnet-retro---2-0-3-network-upgrade) (24 September 2025) — Marking a Feature Complete Testnet, the Last Stop Before Ignition - [Just write “if”: Why Payy left Halo2 for Noir](https://aztec.network/blog/just-write-if-why-payy-left-halo2-for-noir) (18 September 2025) — This is the story of how Payy transformed their ZK ecosystem from one bottlenecked by a single developer to a system their entire team can modify and maintain. - [A New Brand for a New Era of Aztec](https://aztec.network/blog/a-new-brand-for-a-new-era-of-aztec) (4 September 2025) — For eight years, we’ve been obsessed with solving impossible challenges. We invented new cryptography (Plonk), created an intuitive programming language (Noir), and built the first decentralized network on Ethereum where privacy is native rather than an afterthought. Now, we're starting the next renaissance. - [Introducing the Adversarial Testnet](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-enters-new-phase-of-its-public-testnet-introducing-the-adversarial-testnet) (22 July 2025) — The Adversarial Testnet introduces two key features: slashing, which penalizes validators for malicious or negligent behavior in Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, and a fully decentralized governance mechanism for protocol upgrades. - [ZKPassport Case Study: A Look into Online Identity Verification](https://aztec.network/blog/zkpassport-case-study-a-look-into-online-identity-verification) (26 June 2025) — For the Aztec Testnet, we’ve integrated ZKPassport to enable node operators to prove they are human and participate in the network. This integration allows the network to dramatically increase the number of sequencers that can be added each day, which is a huge step forward in decentralizing the network with real operators. - [StealthNote: The Decentralized, Private Glassdoor of Web3](https://aztec.network/blog/stealthnote-the-decentralized-private-glassdoor-of-web3) (4 June 2025) — Imagine an app that allows users to post private messages while proving they belong to an organization, without revealing their identity. Thanks to zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), it's now possible to protect the user’s identity through secure messaging, confidential voting, secured polling, and more. This development in privacy-preserving authentication creates powerful new ways for teams and individuals to communicate on the Internet while keeping aspects of their identity private. - [How to Enable Age Verification on the Internet Today Using Zero-Knowledge Proofs](https://aztec.network/blog/how-to-enable-age-verification-on-the-internet-today-using-zero-knowledge-proofs) (14 May 2025) — This report explores the potential behind zero-knowledge proof (“ZKP”) identities (“ZKIs”) as an innovative solution for online age verification, offering the dual advantage of enabling robust identity verification while safeguarding personal information. - [Testnet Retro - Launch Day](https://aztec.network/blog/testnet-retro---launch-day) (2 May 2025) — Within the first 24 hours, over 20k users visited the Aztec Playground and started to send transactions on testnet. Additionally, 10 apps launched live on the testnet, including wallets, block explorers, and private DeFi and NFT marketplaces. - [What is the Aztec Public Testnet?](https://aztec.network/blog/what-is-the-aztec-public-testnet) (1 May 2025) — In this post, we’ll explore what full decentralization means, how the Aztec Foundation is testing each aspect in the Public Testnet, and the challenges and limitations of testing a decentralized network in a testnet environment. - [A New Era for Web3: Introducing Aztec Public Testnet](https://aztec.network/blog/a-new-era-for-web3-introducing-aztec-public-testnet) (1 May 2025) — Earlier this month, we announced the successful testing of the first decentralized upgrade process for an L2, with over 100 sequencers participating. Now, with the mission to bring programmable privacy to the masses, the Aztec Public Testnet is here and, for the first time ever, open to developers to build fully private applications on Ethereum. - [History of Aztec: Pioneering Privacy in Web3](https://aztec.network/blog/history-of-aztec-pioneering-privacy-in-web3) (22 April 2025) — Aztec from 2017 to 2024 can be seen as a methodical journey toward building a fully private, programmable, and decentralized blockchain network. Aztec mainnet will mark the emergence of applications that weren't possible before – applications that combine the transparency and programmability of blockchain with the privacy necessary for real-world adoption. - [Is ZK-MPC-FHE-TEE a real creature?](https://aztec.network/blog/is-zk-mpc-fhe-tee-a-real-creature) (25 March 2025) — In this article, we will briefly review several suggested privacy-related abbreviations, their strong points, and their constraints. And after that, we’ll think about whether someone will benefit from combining them or not. We’ll look at different configurations and combinations. - [Aztec Foundation Launches to Accelerate Vision of Programmable Privacy](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-foundation-launches-to-accelerate-vision-of-programmable-privacy) (13 February 2025) — Introducing the Aztec Foundation, a nonprofit organization to support the growth and development of open-source programmable privacy. The launch of the Aztec Foundation marks a significant milestone for the Aztec Network, bringing us closer to the launch of a fully decentralized, privacy-preserving network. - [A New Dawn of Ethereum is Here](https://aztec.network/blog/a-new-dawn-of-ethereum-is-here) (6 February 2025) — We’re showing up to Denver in a big way to celebrate the epic builders of Ethereum and a new dawn of applications with the second NoirCon and an immersive night at Meow Wolf. Join us at ETHDenver to build the next gen of applications. - [The Best of Both Worlds: How Aztec Blends Private and Public State](https://aztec.network/blog/the-best-of-both-worlds-how-aztec-blends-private-and-public-state) (10 December 2024) — In this article, we’ll talk about one of the core components unlocking privacy on Ethereum: state management. We’ll shed some light on programmable and composable privacy which allows dApp developers to choose what they want to make private and what to leave public. That allows for an ecosystem of privacy-preserving dApps that can communicate with each other as well as Ethereum. - [Security of the Aztec Network: Audits of Bigfield](https://aztec.network/blog/security-of-the-aztec-network-audits-of-bigfield) (9 December 2024) — We are constantly striving to make the Aztec Network more secure by developing internal tooling and seeking external expertise. To prepare for a barrage of future audits before the mainnet launch, we ran a test exercise with three well-established auditing companies including ZKSecurity, Zellic, and Spearbit. - [The Future of ZK Development is Here: Announcing the Noir 1.0 Pre-Release](https://aztec.network/blog/the-future-of-zk-development-is-here-announcing-the-noir-1-0-pre-release) (5 December 2024) — It’s been a big year for Noir, the universal language for zero-knowledge. We made things official with GitHub and became an official coding language, cozied up with Vitalik at the inaugural NoirCon0 in Thailand, and now we’re making zero-knowledge proofs more accessible and powerful for developers worldwide with the Noir 1.0 pre-release. - [Road to Mainnet](https://aztec.network/blog/road-to-mainnet) (7 October 2024) — Since Aztec's launch seven years ago, we’ve been on a mission to solve one of the biggest barriers to mass blockchain adoption – privacy. Imagine a world where developers can write programs that protect user data but take full advantage of a trustless, permissionless system – all backed by the security. This is what we’re working towards, and this product roadmap is how we get there. - [Unlocking the Future of Privacy: Exploring Identity and Social Use Cases in Alpha Build 2 with $100k in Prizes](https://aztec.network/blog/unlocking-the-future-of-privacy-exploring-identity-and-social-use-cases-in-alpha-build-2-with-100k-in-prizes) (1 October 2024) — After 7 years of building in the open, last month we announced that Devnet is now live. To celebrate we launched Alpha Build, a series of three developer sprints with up to US$100,000 in prizes and the opportunity to deploy on the Aztec for the first time. Starting October 8th - October 29th, 2024, the second sprint, Alpha Build 2 (AB2), will focus on identity and social. - [Renowned Cryptographer and Coauthor of PLONK, Ariel Gabizon Rejoins Aztec Labs as Chief Scientist](https://aztec.network/blog/renowned-cryptographer-and-coauthor-of-plonk-ariel-gabizon-rejoins-aztec-labs-as-chief-scientist) (20 August 2024) — Ariel Gabizon, a distinguished cryptographer, coauthor of PLONK, and pioneer of zero-knowledge (ZK) technology, has rejoined Aztec Labs as its Chief Scientist. With Devnet now live and private, client-side smart contract execution with public verifiability possible, Ariel is rejoining us at a pivotal moment for Aztec, our upcoming privacy-first L2 on Ethereum. - [Devnet Goes Live: Introducing Alpha Build with $100K in Prizes](https://aztec.network/blog/devnet-goes-live-introducing-alpha-build-with-100k-in-prizes) (13 August 2024) — Devnet is now live! This milestone enables private, client-side smart contract execution with robust public verifiability, a massive milestone for Aztec and the Ethereum community.To celebrate this milestone, we’re launching Alpha Build, a series of three developer sprints with a USD $100,000 prize pool and the opportunity to deploy on the Aztec Network for the first time. - [Unlocking the Future of Privacy: Join the Noir Research Campaign for Provable Emails](https://aztec.network/blog/unlocking-the-future-of-privacy-join-the-noir-research-campaign-for-provable-emails) (8 August 2024) — In the ever-evolving landscape of digital privacy, the power of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) is revolutionizing how we protect and prove information. Noir, a leading language for privacy-first programmable privacy, is at the forefront of this innovation and is calling on you to help us enhance provable emails using Noir. - [Does zero-knowledge provide privacy?](https://aztec.network/blog/does-zero-knowledge-provide-privacy) (8 August 2024) — In this blog post, we explore zero-knowledge (ZK) property, investigate if ZK-rollups have any ZK, and differentiate between ZK as a technology and as a marketing term. - [Is Account Abstraction abstract enough?](https://aztec.network/blog/is-account-abstraction-abstract-enough) (24 June 2024) — In this article, we revisit the topic of Account Abstraction (AA): its meaning, history, and current landscape. We explore the possibilities that AA opens for developers and figure out which Account Abstraction is the most abstract one. - [Announcing the Noir awardees of the inaugural EF ZK Grants Wave](https://aztec.network/blog/announcing-the-noir-awardees-of-the-inaugural-ef-zk-grants-wave) (24 June 2024) — Aztec Labs is committed to enabling developers to build with ZK and unlock the full potential of this transformative technology. To that end, we built Noir, an open source Domain Specific Language for safe and seamless construction of privacy-preserving ZK proofs. We fund tooling, libraries, and applications that make Noir more accessible and enjoyable for developers. - [Client-side Proof Generation](https://aztec.network/blog/client-side-proof-generation) (11 March 2024) — In this article, we explore the client-side proof generation used for proving private functions’ correct execution and explain how it differs from proof generation in general-purpose rollups. - [Regeneration: a Manifesto for an Autonomous Future](https://aztec.network/blog/regeneration-a-manifesto-for-an-autonomous-future) (7 March 2024) — This piece, written by Zac Williamson with insights from Arnaud Schenk, delves into the evolving landscape of blockchain technology and its impact on societal structures. - [Interview with Kev Wedderburn, Father of Noir](https://aztec.network/blog/interview-with-kev-wedderburn-father-of-noir) (3 January 2024) — Kev Wedderburn, architect and team lead of Noir, discusses his journey from Web2 to Web3, leading to the development of Noir, a zero-knowledge proof language. - [Aztec’s Core Cryptography, Now in Noir](https://aztec.network/blog/aztecs-core-cryptography-now-in-noir) (13 December 2023) — Aztec now includes its core cryptographic protocols in Noir, enhancing blockchain circuit development with improved security and efficiency. This integration facilitates a more streamlined process for developers. - [Announcing NoirJS: Privacy-Preserving ZK Applications In Your Browser](https://aztec.network/blog/announcing-noirjs-privacy-preserving-zk-applications-in-your-browser) (25 October 2023) — Introducing NoirJS, a tool for creating privacy-centric zero-knowledge applications in web browsers, enhancing the accessibility of blockchain technologies. - [Unconstrained Functions in Noir](https://aztec.network/blog/unconstrained-functions-in-noir) (26 September 2023) — This update discusses the integration of unconstrained functions in Noir, enhancing its flexibility and utility in blockchain programming. - [Aztec's Transaction Anatomy](https://aztec.network/blog/aztecs-transaction-anatomy) (19 September 2023) — This post delves into the unique structure of transactions within Aztec's network, highlighting their distinct features and the underlying technology. - [Introducing Aztec.nr: Aztec’s Private Smart Contract Framework](https://aztec.network/blog/introducing-aztec-nr-aztecs-private-smart-contract-framework) (18 September 2023) — Aztec.nr is a breakthrough in private smart contract frameworks, focusing on elevating privacy and functionality in blockchain. - [NounsDAO Private Voting Final Update](https://aztec.network/blog/nounsdao-private-voting-final-update) (29 August 2023) — Discover the final updates on NounsDAO's private voting system, showcasing advancements in secure and anonymous voting within the blockchain. - [Noir Now Supports Visual Studio Code](https://aztec.network/blog/noir-now-supports-visual-studio-code) (24 August 2023) — Noir's new support for Visual Studio Code enhances the developer experience in building blockchain applications with improved tools and integration. - [Announcing Noir Beta: Stabler, Faster ZK Applications in the Browser](https://aztec.network/blog/announcing-noir-beta-stabler-faster-zk-applications-in-the-browser) (20 December 2021) — Meet Noir Beta: a stable, fast, browser-compatible language for zero-knowledge (ZK) applications, advancing blockchain privacy and usability. - [Aztec Network Raises $17 million Series A from Paradigm to Bring Programmable Privacy to Web3](https://aztec.network/blog/aztec-network-raises-17-million-series-a-from-paradigm-to-bring-programmable-privacy-to-web3) (16 December 2021) — Aztec Network raises $17 million in Series A funding from Paradigm to further its mission of bringing programmable privacy to Web3. - [Why Hashes Dominate in SNARKs](https://aztec.network/blog/why-hashes-dominate-in-snarks) (18 October 2019) — Examine the crucial role of hashes in SNARKs, essential to cryptographic proofs in blockchain technology. --- Markdown representation of https://aztec.network/blog. Published by Aztec Foundation.