Aztec Network Releases Public Testnet for Private Ethereum Apps Aztec Network, a privacy-focused Ethereum layer-2 protocol, has launched its public testnet, inviting developers to build encrypted decentralized applications (dApps). Announced on May 1, the launch is a major step in Aztec’s mission to make privacy programmable and secure in the web3 ecosystem. The testnet follows years of research, development, and internal testing with more than 100 sequencers. Enhancing Privacy through Zero-Knowledge Proofs The testnet utilizes cutting-edge zero-knowledge (ZK) techniques to protect user data while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. This allows developers to build apps that can selectively conceal user data on-chain—without ceding control to any centralized party. Aztec’s in-house ZK proving system, PLONK, powers this privacy layer. Built in-house, PLONK enables fast verifiable proofs while supporting complex encrypted computations. It has been used previously in Aztec’s zk.money and Aztec Connect products. Noir: Making ZK Development Accessible On top of PLONK, Aztec has introduced Noir, its own programming language for zero-knowledge applications. Noir simplifies the development of private smart contracts without needing in-depth cryptographic knowledge. Developers can now focus on function while integrating strong privacy guarantees. The future of blockchain privacy is not black and white, Aztec co-founder Zac Williamson said. “Developers can leverage Aztec to build dApps with privacy functionality that’s natively integrated with Ethereum’s existing infrastructure,” he stated. Backed by Notable Funding Aztec’s release of testnet is backed by a $100 million Series B funding round led by a16z. The funding supports Aztec’s vision to scale encrypted smart contracts in the aim of supporting real-world use cases such as private DeFi, secure identity systems, and enterprise applications. a16z Crypto General Partner Ali Yahya said the investment was driven by Aztec’s ability to make privacy both scalable and accessible in web3. With the public testnet, Aztec is positioning itself as one of the key infrastructure providers for Ethereum’s privacy-centric future.
