Ethereum privacy is moving into execution.
From private L2s to FHE coprocessors and institutional settlement, a full infrastructure stack is taking shape.
Part 1 mapped the applications.
Part 2 looks at the infrastructure behind them.
1/ Private Execution
Some networks bring privacy directly into the environment where transactions and applications run.
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@aztecnetwork: Privacy-first Ethereum L2 using ZK proofs for private state and execution, with Alpha V6 governance underway.
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@Starknet: STRK20 brings shielded balances and transfers to an existing public L2. Already 50 assets and ~$1.4M shielded (per Starknet, Oct 7).
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@zksync: Prividium enables permissioned execution with private data and proofs anchored to Ethereum.
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@silentdao_: TEE-based Ethereum L2 built on OP Stack, serving institutional workflows.
@horizenglobal: Base L3 developing confidential EVM infrastructure.
These approaches support different needs, from private DeFi to institution-controlled execution.
2/ Confidential Computation
Another approach brings privacy to applications already running across Ethereum.
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@zama: FHE infrastructure powering confidential tokens, with $100M+ earning yield through Morpho (per Zama, Oct 15).
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@fhenix: CoFHE brings encrypted computation to EVM contracts, with mainnet launch planned.
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@inconetwork: TEE-based confidential computation through Inco Lightning, now live on Base mainnet.
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@nillion: Dusk brings encrypted markets infrastructure to Ethereum mainnet.
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@chainlink: Confidential HTTP is live, while broader Confidential Workflows remain in private beta.
This is where modular privacy gets interesting.
Developers can integrate confidentiality into existing applications and tap into established liquidity, rather than building an entirely new privacy network.
3/ Wallet & Transaction Privacy
Privacy also extends to how users access applications, submit transactions and settle payments.
Ethereum Kohaku: Privacy-focused wallet and SDK infrastructure, with Privacy Pools tooling currently in alpha.
@ShutterNetwork: Threshold-encrypted mempools, live on Gnosis with Ethereum L1 integration under development.
@0xfairblock: Confidential settlement infrastructure, with a MoonPay PYUSDx integration announced.
These tools aim to reduce information exposure beyond smart contract execution.
Ethereum privacy is developing through two complementary approaches:
Dedicated networks provide private execution, while modular infrastructure brings confidentiality closer to existing applications and liquidity.
Wallet tooling and transaction protection extend privacy further into the user experience.
The next milestone is adoption: more production integrations, more active shielded capital, and more applications using privacy by default.
Part 1 covered what users can do privately.
Part 2 maps the infrastructure making it possible.
Phoenix Research @0xPhoenix77
Tornado Cash holds $629.7M on Ethereum.
Railgun holds another $109.7M.
Privacy on Ethereum is leaving the vault for apps people already use.
1/ Private Balances
The foundation is letting users receive and hold assets without exposing their entire financial history.
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@fluidkey and
@UmbraCash: Stealth addresses for private receiving.
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@RAILGUN_Project: Shielded balances for private DeFi, accessible through wallets like
@anondotinc.
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@zERC20io: Token wrapping for unlinkable transfers.
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@Veildotcash: Privacy pools on Base.
2/ Private DeFi
Once assets are shielded, the next step is putting capital to work.
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@zama: Confidential token infrastructure, including integrations with Morpho.
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@PrivacyBoost: SDK for private Morpho Earn balances.
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@ZKPanther: Shielded trading through DEX liquidity.
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@0xbowio: Privacy Pools with yield opportunities.
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@xochi_fi: Shielded settlement on Aztec.
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@tacitfi: Private issuance and swaps backed by BTC and ETH.
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@EkuboProtocol and
@OpusMoney: Private liquidity and borrowing on Starknet.
3/ Private Applications
The final layer brings privacy into products users already understand.
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@ambire: Integrating Railgun and Privacy Pools into wallet UX.
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@hinkal_protocol: Hinkal Pay combines public and private balances.
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@AnomaPay: Private payments and swaps on Ethereum.
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@P_Inference: Private AI chat with payments on Aztec.
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@Haven_Hn_: Private neobank card on Starknet.
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@raycashxyz: Private stablecoin app, currently on waitlist.
The next phase of Ethereum privacy is about what users can do with their private balances.
From shielding assets to earning yield, trading and spending, privacy is gradually moving into the applications themselves.
These products are at different stages of development, but the direction is becoming clearer.
The next metric worth watching is how much shielded capital actually gets used.
Part 2 covers the networks powering the stack.