Aztec Network has launched its Ignition Chain on Ethereum mainnet, marking what the team calls the first “fully decentralized” Layer-2 network on Ethereum. Key Takeaways: Aztec launched Ignition Chain, claiming the first fully decentralized Layer-2 on Ethereum with programmable privacy. The network uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable private computation, with more than 500 validators registered at launch. Early demand for the AZTEC token is strong, with over $2.5 million in bids ahead of the public auction on December 2. The rollout comes days after the start of Aztec’s AZTEC token sale, which will power staking, governance, and block rewards across the new system. “Aztec just shipped the Ignition Chain,” the team wrote in a post on X on Wednesday, adding that the launch activates the decentralized consensus layer underpinning the entire network. Aztec’s Ignition Chain Brings Programmable Privacy to Ethereum The debut follows the public testnet introduced in May, where developers stress-tested the privacy infrastructure ahead of mainnet deployment. Ignition Chain introduces programmable privacy to Ethereum, aiming to solve one of the ecosystem’s long-standing trade-offs: transparency versus confidentiality. The network uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable private computation while maintaining verifiability. According to Aztec, validator registrations reached 500 this week, the threshold required for block production to begin on Ethereum mainnet. The project’s long-term ambition is a “private world computer” where developers can build DeFi applications that keep user data confidential by default. “2025–2035 will be Privacy’s turn of the wheel,” Aztec co-founder Zac Williamson said. A first in Ethereum history: At 1 am last night, the milestone was hit when the validator queue reached 500, triggering block production on the Ethereum mainnet. pic.twitter.com/gWB4ZZm2qd — Aztec (@aztecnetwork) November 19, 2025 He predicted a shift toward services that rely on distributed ledgers for settlement and privacy tech for execution, arguing that user data will move out of centralized Web2 platforms and into cryptographic systems controlled by individuals. Aztec’s momentum builds on its 2022 Series B raise, where it secured $100 million in funding led by a16z to advance zero-knowledge research and infrastructure. The network’s native AZTEC token will secure Ignition Chain through staking, with validators required to lock up 200,000 tokens to become active participants. Early interest in the token sale has been strong. Registration opened last week, drawing approximately $2.5 million across 2,088 bids from nearly 2,000 unique participants. Public auction bidding for the AZTEC token is scheduled to open on December 2. Aztec Unveils StealthNote, a Zero-Knowledge Whistleblowing Platform In April, Aztec Network introduced StealthNote , a zero-knowledge whistleblowing platform that lets employees anonymously report workplace concerns while proving they belong to a verified company domain. The tool uses ZK-proofs to validate Google-issued authentication tokens without revealing the user’s identity, ensuring both trust and confidentiality. The platform has been under development since late 2022 and has already gathered support from contributors across the Ethereum ecosystem, including members of the Ethereum Foundation, StarkWare, Scroll, and researchers from Columbia and Cornell. Early posts on the platform express enthusiasm for decentralized privacy tools, reflecting broader industry momentum around cryptographic protections. With StealthNote, Aztec continues to push the boundaries of how zero-knowledge technology can enhance privacy in real-world applications. In 2023, a coalition of Web3 companies established the “Universal Privacy Alliance” with the aim of safeguarding digital privacy rights. Nym, Protocol Labs, the Filecoin Foundation, Oasis, Aztec, and various other entities are part of the Universal Privacy Alliance (UPA). The post Aztec Network Debuts First “Fully Decentralized” Layer 2 on Ethereum appeared first on Cryptonews .
