Aztec PriceAZTEC

What is Aztec (AZTEC)?

Aztec (AZTEC) is the native token of Aztec, a privacy-first Layer 2 rollup built on Ethereum. Aztec is designed to empower developers to build applications that protect user privacy through programmable privacy and zero-knowledge proofs. By combining public and private state, Aztec enables private, programmable smart contracts, positioning itself as Ethereum's Privacy Router. The project's long-term vision is a fast, decentralized zero-knowledge network with native smart contract privacy. The AZTEC token has a capped total genesis supply of 10,350,000,000 tokens, with a circulating supply of approximately 2.88 billion. The Alpha Network is live, marking a significant phase in the project's development and inviting developers to start building.

Key Specifications & Tokenomics

• Name: Aztec
• Ticker / Symbol: AZTEC
• Blockchain / Network: Ethereum (privacy-first Layer 2 rollup)
• Category: Privacy, Zero Knowledge Proofs, Smart Contracts
• Max Supply: 10,350,000,000 AZTEC
• Total Genesis Supply: 10,350,000,000 AZTEC (capped)
• Circulating Supply: 2,879,599,600 AZTEC
• Supply Mechanism: Fixed initial supply with a controlled inflation mechanism to fund network rewards
• Allocated Sale Supply: 1,547,000,000 AZTEC (14.95% of total token supply)
• Public Sale Allocation: 866M AZTEC
• ICO Price: $0.0464
• Token Utility: Shape the future of Aztec
• Official Website: https://aztec.network

Who created Aztec?

Aztec is led by CEO and Co-founder Zac Williamson, alongside co-founder Joe. The project is driven by a team of world-class cryptographers who invented the standard for trustless client-side proving, a critical advancement that makes privacy-preserving applications possible. Between 2021 and 2023, the Aztec team operated zk.money and Aztec Connect. Zac Williamson has presented at major industry events, including Devcon 8 in Mumbai, India, where he discussed the demands of programmable privacy in the Privacy & Consent track. The project has garnered significant backing, including a $100 million Series B funding round led by a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), which supports the team's mission to build encrypted Ethereum.

How does Aztec work?

Aztec operates as a privacy-first Layer 2 rollup on Ethereum, utilizing zero-knowledge proofs, specifically zk-SNARKs, to enable private transactions and smart contracts. The architecture combines public and private state, allowing developers to build applications with programmable privacy. A core innovation is Plonk, an industry-standard zk-SNARK invented by Aztec, which enables fast privacy while securing billions of dollars of on-chain value for the broader zero-knowledge community. The network supports trustless client-side proving, meaning users can generate proofs on their own devices. The Alpha Network is live, and applications like Shield provide a proof-of-humanity bridge for moving assets between Ethereum and Aztec without revealing identities. The system is designed to allow programmable disclosure, proving specific facts to specific parties as part of contract logic, integrating compliance directly into the system.

What makes Aztec unique and valuable?

Aztec distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on privacy as a foundational layer for Ethereum. Its unique value lies in programmable privacy, which allows for unprecedented customization to ensure data is seen exclusively by chosen parties. Unlike systems that bolt on compliance features after the fact, Aztec designs compliance into the system through programmable disclosure. The project's invention of Plonk has become an industry standard, underscoring its technical leadership. By acting as Ethereum's Privacy Router, Aztec enables private DeFi, private payments, and confidential smart contract interactions without fragmenting liquidity or requiring contract redeployment. The backing of a $100 million Series B led by a16z further validates its potential. The long-term vision of a fast, decentralized zero-knowledge network with native smart contract privacy positions Aztec at the forefront of privacy-preserving blockchain technology.

What is Aztec used for?

The AZTEC token is used to shape the future of the Aztec network, giving holders a role in its governance and development. Beyond the token, the Aztec network itself is used for a variety of privacy-preserving applications. It enables private payments and confidential DeFi actions such as staking, vault entry, lending, and swaps. Developers use Aztec to build private smart contracts and applications with programmable privacy. The network supports private treasury management, on-chain DAO governance, and NFT purchasing and trading. Through bridges like Shield, users can move assets between Ethereum and Aztec while proving the sender is legitimate and funds are compliant, all without revealing their identities. The ecosystem also includes Noir, a language for building Aztec applications, and tools like Presto that accelerate local proving.

How Is the Aztec ecosystem developing?

The Aztec ecosystem is actively developing, with the Alpha Network live and Aztec Alpha V5 recently launched. The ecosystem includes a range of applications and tools. zk.money served as a first-party showcase for private payments and DeFi, while Aztec Connect, though sunset in March 2024, was a pioneering private DeFi solution. Newer developments include Shield, a proof-of-humanity bridge, and Presto, a free application that runs proving natively on devices for up to 9x faster performance. The developer platform features the AztecProtocol/aztec-packages repository, bridge contracts, and a TypeScript-based SDK. Noir provides a language ecosystem for building Aztec apps. DeFi integrations have referenced Lido, Curve, and Element Finance. Aztec is also listed among developer tools on ethereum.org, alongside resources like ZK Email and zkPassport, indicating a growing ecosystem focused on privacy and zero-knowledge technology.

How to mine Aztec?

Aztec does not utilize traditional proof-of-work mining. Instead, the network is secured through a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism on Ethereum, as it operates as a Layer 2 rollup. The AZTEC token has a fixed initial supply with a controlled inflation mechanism designed to fund network rewards. Participants can engage with the network by running nodes, participating in governance, or contributing to the ecosystem through development and community activities. The Alpha Network is live, and developers are invited to start building. Specific staking or validation mechanisms are detailed in the project's official documentation. The focus is on enabling a decentralized network where token holders can help shape the future of Aztec.

How to keep your Aztec Coin safe?

Keeping your AZTEC tokens safe requires adherence to standard cryptocurrency security practices. Since AZTEC is an Ethereum-based token, it can be stored in compatible wallets that support ERC-20 tokens. Always use official and reputable wallets, and ensure your private keys or seed phrases are stored securely offline, never shared with anyone. Be cautious of phishing attempts and fake websites; always verify the official Aztec website and communication channels. For interactions with the Aztec network, ensure you are using official bridges and applications. Consider using hardware wallets for long-term storage of significant amounts. Regularly update your wallet software and be aware of the latest security threats in the DeFi and privacy-focused sectors. The project's emphasis on trustless client-side proving means users can generate proofs locally, adding a layer of security by not relying on third-party servers.