Aztec

Aztec is an Ethereum layer-two network that aims to offer privacy as a default feature. Unlike privacy coins that focus solely on private transfers, Aztec aims to let developers write complex smart contracts that hold both private and public state. Aztec Labs, which develops the network, has also created a zero-knowledge programming language called Noir for these contracts. AZTEC is the network's token.

On Aztec, private transactions are executed on the user's own device, and the network receives just a zero-knowledge proof showing that the transaction followed the rules; balances and transaction details thus stay private while correctness can be verified by anyone. Public transactions, by contrast, are executed by the network. Batched transactions are proven and posted to Ethereum. The AZTEC token is designed for staking by the sequencers that help run the network in a decentralized way, and for protocol governance.

The AZTEC price may be affected by how far privacy-enabled applications adopt the network, token locks and the distribution schedule, regulatory stances towards privacy technologies and competition with other layer-two networks. For Aztec, Lzzo.com shows the US dollar reference price taken from DefiLlama and a chart based on the same source.