Pro
Decoding Onchain Privacy
Key Insights
- Privacy is becoming modular and programmable, with middleware like Railgun and chains like Aztec enabling integrated and application-layer confidentiality across existing networks.
- Regulatory pressure remains a key obstacle to onchain privacy, with privacy coins and mixers subject to sustained scrutiny and policy action.
- Composability remains a core technical challenge, as privacy-focused blockchains often sacrifice interoperability, developer tooling, and UX in exchange for privacy.
- Mainstream blockchains are embedding privacy at the base layer with Vitalik’s privacy roadmap on Ethereum and Solana’s Confidential Token Extensions.
A Brief History of Onchain Privacy
Let us know what you loved about the report, what may be missing, or share any other feedback by filling out this short form. All responses are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Alice is a Research Analyst on the Protocol Services team. She previously worked as a Research Analyst at The Block and was an Investment Intern at Variant Fund. Alice graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied Economics.
Austin is a Research Analyst on the Protocol Services team. Before joining Messari, he studied IT and Global Commerce at the University of Virginia.
Mentioned Assets