On blockchains, too, privacy is a right. Let's take a look at where blockchain privacy stands right now.
For public blockchains that allow smart contracts, blockchain privacy is a popular topic. There is a significant amount of money and other things at stake. So, if you want to keep your crypto assets private, this is the way to go. Here are some tools and applications that can help you do just that.
What blockchain privacy options are currently available? Is what's on offer, in addition, sufficiently private? As a result, we'll look at a few privacy-focused blockchains. But, above all, will they be able to deliver on our expectations? To get all of the answers, let's take a deep dive into blockchain privacy.
Is Privacy on the Blockchain Necessary?
We do require the privacy provided by the blockchain. We don't walk around flaunting our bank statements in front of others for the same reason. The blockchain, on the other hand, has serious privacy issues. Each Bitcoin node, for example, has access to all transactions in a chain. It's time to return to the beginning.
Despite the fact that the transactions do not include names, it is feasible to connect people. The more frequently an address appears, for example, the easier it will be to link it to a certain person. For blockchains like Bitcoin, we call this "anonymous."
It isn't made any easier by the fact that blockchains are immutable. Blockchain communication between nodes may be tracked using special software. As a result, transactions as well as internet protocol addresses can be linked. As a result, it's no surprise that blockchain privacy is a contentious issue. Some blockchains and mixers that claim to provide anonymity are as follows:
Firo (FIRO)
Firo is a layer 1 blockchain that employs a burn-and-redeems methodology that eliminates the requirement for a trusted setup. The method burns coins so that they can be redeemed for new ones later on. The transaction history of these new currencies is completely unknown. In addition, the source cannot be determined. They also use one-time addresses, stealth, and ZKP. A recipient's address can't be linked to a transaction by a third party.Monero (XMR)
Monero is a blockchain with only one layer. It is ranked top in terms of market capitalization. It uses the same proof-of-work (PoW) consensus process as Bitcoin, however it doesn't support smart contracts. Monero, according to the creators, is not traceable or linked. As a result, it is a widely utilized coin on the darknet.
It employs the following methods to protect its privacy:
• Confidential trades in the ring (Ring CTs). This conceals the transaction's origin, destination, and amount. It also categorizes transactions.
• Addresses that are hidden. These are public keys that can only be used once. A fresh address is generated for each transaction.
• Dandelion++. IP addresses associated with nodes are hidden using this method.
Monero, on the other hand, isn't as anonymous as it appears. Human-related issues are a few of the issues that XMR, Monero's native cryptocurrency, has. It's also vulnerable to attacks that compromise the privacy of the person who owns the address. As a result, blockchain privacy has been moderated.Tornadocash
TornedoCash is an Ethereum-based decentralized technology for private transactions. As a result, digital trails on Ethereum are obfuscated. It enables for fixed-amount deposits and withdrawals (0.1, 1, 10, 100 ETH). This could be a disadvantage. Most significantly, TornadoCash is uncontrollable by third parties.
TornadoCash also breaks the on-chain connection. The source and destination addresses are not the same. To keep the transaction as confidential as possible, you must take many procedures. If you don't pay attention during the transaction, there may be weak links.
TornadoCash has been working on various blockchains like as BNB, Polygon, Avalanche, Gnosis, Arbitrum One, and Optimism since June 2021. To summarize, this protocol ensures probability-based privacy.
- Zcash (ZEC)
In 2016, Zcash forked (separated) from Bitcoin and became a layer 1 blockchain. It has a strong cryptographic warrant that is backed by a proof-of-stake (PoW) mechanism, but no smart contract features.
It employs 'zk-SNARKs' for privacy. This is a Non-Interactive Succinct Zero-Knowledge Argument of Knowledge. In other words, fully encrypted transactions can be verified. This covers the identities of all parties involved, as well as the amount of money involved. A unique addition to the ZKP methods (zero-knowledge proof).
In addition, in 2020, they implemented an upgraded zk-SNARK as part of the Halo 2 upgrade. This might render the tried-and-true setup outdated. As a result, Zcash employs two distinct addresses:
• Addresses that are visible. On the Zcash blockchain, they can be tracked.
• Addresses that have been shielded. Encrypted addresses, often known as Z-addresses. There is no way to see all of the data and numbers.
• In addition, when compared to ring signatures, Zcash provides more privacy. Definitely when the tried-and-true setup is no longer required.
- Secret Network (SCRT)
Another tier 1 blockchain is Secret Network. It's made using Cosmos/Tendermint. They do, however, use smart contracts, which ensure data privacy by default. This is accomplished through the use of a novel notion known as "trusted execution environments (TEE)." In other words, computations over encrypted data that preserve privacy.
They currently employ Intel SGX to enable privacy, which should ensure that the environment remains secure indefinitely. Furthermore, no retroactive attacks have ever been seen. However, this is where the issue arises. SGX has been condemned by Intel.
As a result, you may argue that a blockchain should be secured via arithmetic or encryption rather than technology. As a result, while promising, blockchain privacy is still lacking. Nonetheless, their hidden NFTs are intriguing.
- WANCHAIN (WAN)
Wanchain is a layer 1 blockchain with privacy and cross-chain connectivity. Smart contracts, which work with one-time accounts, are also available. Ring signatures are used for privacy, similar to Monero.
Instead of sending money to a public address, Wanchain sends money to this on-time account. All one-time accounts are accessible with your private key. Private transactions, on the other hand, are only possible using WAN. This was already explained in a Wanchain article. Transactions, on the other hand, are quick and take less than 2 minutes. Wanchain, on the other hand, provides only a few alternatives for blockchain privacy.
- Aztech Network
On the Ethereum blockchain, Aztec Network is a layer 2 solution. It is the new kid on the block when it comes to privacy, having started in February 2022. They both employ the same ZKP. Your private assets, on the other hand, can be mint. Only DAI is available right now, however additional tokens will be added in the future.
They use the zk-SNARKs privacy algorithm to encrypt blockchain data. This, according to the team, is a more efficient and cost-effective choice than other chains. End-to-end encryption is used. In addition, the blockchain confirms ZKP transactions. To put it another way, you put tokens in the Aztec layer 2. The private Uniswap transactions are mixed and handled by Aztec. You can withdraw to a totally new, unlinked mainnet address using a letter you receive. It's new, but it's got a lot of potential.
What Is the Present State of Blockchain Privacy?
The current state of blockchain privacy is not ideal. It's not a case of playing devil's advocate, but rather a total of all previous successes. None of the currently accessible alternatives appear to be completely secure in terms of privacy. The fact that blockchains are immutable is a major issue. To put it another way, you can always look up all of the data and transactions on a blockchain. As a result, while blockchain is excellent for security, it is less so for privacy.
Web 3.0 will also encourage us to share even more information. The fact that Web 3.0 allows us to control our data is a plus. We may choose who has access to my information and what information they have access to. Data can be blocked by restricting access to nodes. This, without a doubt, necessitates control. Governments, citizens, and companies all need to work together on this.
Various current privacy blockchains have some good ideas. It's going to take one mega blockchain to bring all of these fantastic concepts together. Cryptography advancements are occurring at a breakneck pace. As a result, the future appears bright.
Privacy is a right that is well worth fighting for. Mass adaptation is on the way, and it will be beneficial because the volume will rise. As a result, blocking all of the present 106+ million users from privacy choices will be impossible. Allowing layer 1 chains to be private by default is a good place to start.
