What Is Aztec Network? 2025 Milestones and the Path to Mainnet

Aztec is a blockchain project that helps make Ethereum faster and more private. It uses an open-source programming language called Noir, which allows developers to build privacy-preserving applications.

All transactions on public blockchains like Ethereum are visible to anyone. While transparency is one of the key pillars of blockchain and decentralization, it also raises serious privacy concerns.

It's true that blockchain data is pseudonymous; you see wallet addresses (like 0x123…) instead of real names, but the available data can still expose users to risks. 

For example, if a bot spots a large unconfirmed transaction, it can front-run the trade by executing a similar one ahead of it, potentially manipulating prices.

Public blockchain activity can also attract hackers and scammers, revealing more than users might expect, especially if someone connects the dots.

Further, we’ll take a closer look at Aztec and how it aims to build a fully private network.

Understanding the Aztec Network and How It Works 

By design, Aztec is a Layer 2 network built on top of Ethereum. Founded in 2017, the project has gone through major developments over the years. Aztec takes a privacy-first approach, allowing users to choose which data to keep private and which information to make public based on their needs. Programmable privacy is what sets Aztec apart from other Layer 2 networks.

For example, users can trade cryptocurrencies on a decentralized exchange without revealing the assets involved or the trade volume. To support customizable privacy, Aztec Labs developed Noir, a general-purpose programming language built for mainstream developer adoption. With Noir, developers can build apps on Aztec without needing deep knowledge of cryptography.

Aztec’s ZK rollup technology batches many transactions from its Layer 2 network and posts a proof to the Ethereum mainnet without revealing the underlying data. More specifically, Aztec uses ZK-SNARKs, a cryptographic technique that proves and verifies information without exposing it, to enable privacy features.

There are two roles powering the Aztec Network: 

• Sequencers: Propose and bundle transactions into blocks, verifying parameters like gas limits, block size, and validity.
• Provers: Generate cryptographic proofs and submit one rollup proof to Ethereum.

Aztec Network Founders 

Aztec was co-founded by Zac Williamson and Joe Andrews. Williamson, Aztec’s CEO, has a background in particle physics and is also the co-inventor of PLONK, a zero-knowledge proof algorithm. Joe Andrews, Head of Product, was previously the CTO of a Silicon Valley food tech startup. Williamson began the project in 2017 under the name Creditmint, which initially functioned as a decentralized corporate loan provider for large enterprises. 

While working on Creditmint, the team realized that privacy issues were a major barrier to mass blockchain adoption. This prompted Williamson to explore cryptography in depth and search for potential privacy solutions.

In 2018, Aztec Labs introduced the concept of confidential transactions through the Aztec Protocol, using encrypted DAI coins. The protocol has since evolved, with a focus on decentralization and a better user experience. From 2021 to 2023, Aztec operated zk.money, a private payment network, and Aztec Connect, a rollup that could integrate with DeFi protocols like Aave and Lido. 

In 2022, the team raised $100 million in a Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). To date, the company has raised over $119 million in total funding, with investors including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Aave founder Stani Kulechov, and others.

Despite strong demand, both zk.money and Aztec Connect were shut down in 2023. The reason: Aztec’s goal to fully decentralize wasn’t feasible without major architectural changes, and as a result, the team chose to build a new network from the ground up.

The State of Aztec Network and Key Developments in 2025

Aztec Network plans to launch on the Ethereum mainnet by the end of 2025. Its public testnet went live on May 1, 2025, giving users the ability to interact with the network and deploy smart contracts in a live environment. According to Aztec, more than 20,000 users visited the Aztec Playground within the first 24 hours, and 10 apps were launched on the testnet.

The high volume of activity caused temporary block production slowdowns, as transaction requests exceeded the mempool capacity. To address the issue, Aztec increased the mempool size to accommodate more transactions. Recent updates suggest that the number of public testnet users continues to grow steadily, indicating strong interest from the developer and crypto communities.

There have also been ongoing rumors about a potential airdrop of a native Aztec token. However, the company has not confirmed any plans for an airdrop at this time. Some apps launched on the Aztech Network include crypto wallet Azguard, Aztecscan block explorer, decentralized exchange Nemi, and others. 

What Is the Aztec Foundation?  

In February 2025, Aztec Labs launched the Aztec Foundation, a nonprofit created to support the development of open-source programmable privacy in blockchain technology.

The Foundation’s main goal is to drive research in cryptography that strengthens user freedom. It backs developers building applications that protect user privacy while staying compliant. The Foundation also maintains Noir, a universal language for zero-knowledge proofs that helps developers create privacy-focused applications.

To help grow the ecosystem, the Foundation gives grants to teams and individuals working on apps designed for everyday users. It also supports cryptography research and special projects that match its mission. By including the community in important decisions covering protocol development, tech direction, and business matters, the Foundation promotes a more collaborative approach to building a privacy-first blockchain network.

Ethereum L2 Landscape Gets More Competitive 

Aztec is one of many popular Ethereum Layer 2 solutions, entering a market that’s becoming increasingly competitive. Each network is built on a different tech stack, with varying degrees of interoperability and performance goals. While all aim to improve Ethereum’s scalability and user experience, they take different paths to get there.

Most Layer 2s fall into two broad categories: 

1. ZK rollups 
2. Optimistic rollups. 

Both help scale Ethereum by processing transactions off-chain and posting either proofs or summaries of data to the Ethereum mainnet. However, their mechanisms, and priorities differ.

Optimistic rollups, such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base, prioritize throughput and affordability. They assume transactions are valid by default and only run fraud proofs if a challenge is submitted. This makes them relatively simple to build and cheaper to use, though it introduces longer withdrawal times and doesn’t inherently improve privacy.

ZK rollups, including zkSync Era, Starknet, and Aztec, use advanced cryptography, specifically zero-knowledge proofs, to verify transactions without revealing all the underlying data. These systems are more complex to build but offer faster finality, stronger security guarantees, and, in Aztec’s case, a unique privacy layer.

Can Aztec Lead the Fight for On-Chain Privacy?

Aztec stands out from other ZK rollups by focusing not just on scalability but on programmable privacy. Through its custom programming language, Noir, developers can build applications where users choose what data stays private and what is made public, enabling use cases like private DeFi trading or identity-protected financial services.

Whether Aztec leads the charge for on-chain privacy will ultimately depend on more than just cutting-edge technology. Adoption is key. If developers embrace Aztec’s tools and build user-friendly, real-world applications, the network could emerge as Ethereum’s go-to solution for privacy-first dApps, setting a new standard for how we interact with public blockchains.

FAQ 

1. What Is Aztec Network?

Aztec is a Layer 2 blockchain network built on Ethereum that focuses on privacy and scalability. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep sensitive transaction data hidden while still verifying it on-chain. Unlike most Layer 2s, Aztec gives users programmable privacy, allowing selective disclosure of data based on user needs and use cases.

2. How Does Aztec Protect User Privacy?

Aztec uses ZK-SNARKs, a type of zero-knowledge proof, to verify transactions without revealing the details. Users can decide what information to keep private and what to make public, offering customizable privacy. This protects users from front-running, data leaks, and other risks linked to full transparency on public blockchains like Ethereum.

3. What Is Noir, and Why Is It Important?

Noir is Aztec’s open-source programming language for writing zero-knowledge applications. It’s designed to be accessible to developers who may not have a background in cryptography, making it easier to build privacy-preserving apps. Noir helps bridge the gap between advanced cryptography and real-world development, supporting mainstream adoption of private dApps.

4. Who Created Aztec?

Aztec was co-founded by Zac Williamson and Joe Andrews. Williamson, who also co-invented the PLONK proving system, started the project in 2017. The team initially built a privacy-focused loan app before shifting focus to broader privacy solutions. Their work laid the foundation for Aztec’s mission to bring programmable privacy to Ethereum.

5. When Will the Aztec Network Launch on the Mainnet?

Aztec launched its public testnet on May 1, 2025, and aims to go live on the Ethereum mainnet by the end of 2025. Early testnet activity suggests strong interest, with thousands of users deploying apps, testing features, and contributing to the development of a more private Ethereum ecosystem.