ALEPH ZERO INTRODUCES THE FIRST EVM-COMPATIBLE ZK-PRIVACY LAYER WITH SUBSECOND PROVING TIMES

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 21:16 | Written by: Barry Silbert

The blockchain landscape is about to experience a paradigm shift. The Aleph Zero Foundation is excited to announce the testnet release of its ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution powered by Arbitrum Orbit on Gelato RaaS. This marks the first EVM-compatible privacyThe Aleph Zero Foundation, a prominent innovator in the decentralized technology space, has unveiled a groundbreaking solution: the first EVM-compatible ZK-privacy Layer 2 solution boasting astonishing subsecond proving times.Built on the robust foundation of Arbitrum Orbit and leveraging Gelato RaaS, this innovation promises to revolutionize on-chain privacy, making it faster, more accessible, and seamlessly integrated into the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) environment. English . 中文 (Chinese) 日本語 (Japanese) Tiếng việt (Vietnamese) Facebook Twitter Youtube InstagramThis development not only marks a significant milestone for Aleph Zero but also sets a new standard for privacy solutions within the broader blockchain ecosystem. The Aleph Zero Foundation has recorded a major advancement in its ecosystem with the release of its ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution built on Ethereum. This will be the first EVM-compatible privacy solution capable of subsecond ZK proving times. The solution enhances user experience by making onImagine executing private transactions with near-instant confirmation – that's the power Aleph Zero is now bringing to developers and users alike.

Until now, Aleph Zero was renowned for its high-performance, Substrate-based WASM Layer 1 blockchain, celebrated for its subsecond time to finality, a robust network of over 170 validator nodes, and a thriving ecosystem of over 40 external teams building diverse decentralized applications. Development Roadmap. The EVM Testnet is unveiled today, with the Mainnet release set for Q3 2025, enabling developers to deploy production-ready apps with optional privacy features.This new ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution builds upon this strong foundation, extending Aleph Zero's commitment to innovation and user-centric design.This announcement promises a more private and efficient future for decentralized applications within the Ethereum ecosystem and beyond.The testnet release is already generating considerable buzz, signaling a promising future for on-chain privacy. We re also introducing zkOS by Aleph Zero. It represents a tangible vision for a client-side ZK privacy system that will be deployed on Aleph Zero EVM L2 and Aleph Zero WASM L1. Its end goal is to make privacy easy to integrate into whatever you re building or doing on-chain by abstracting away the complexities for web3 developers.So, how does this all work, and what does it mean for the future of blockchain?

Understanding Aleph Zero's ZK-Privacy EVM Layer 2 Solution

At its core, Aleph Zero's new solution addresses a critical need within the blockchain space: the ability to conduct transactions and interact with decentralized applications (dApps) privately without sacrificing speed or compatibility. Zug, Switzerland, 20th June 2025, ChainwireLet's break down the key components:

EVM-Compatible: This means that developers can easily port existing Ethereum dApps and smart contracts to Aleph Zero's Layer 2 solution without requiring significant code modifications. Zug, Switzerland, June 20th, 2025, Chainwire. Aleph Zero announces significant ecosystem advancements: the first EVM-compatible ZK-Privacy Layer capable of generatingThis fosters seamless integration and accelerates adoption.
ZK-Privacy: Leveraging Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology, the solution enables users to prove the validity of a transaction without revealing the underlying data.This ensures confidentiality and protects sensitive information.
Layer 2: By operating as a Layer 2 solution built on top of Ethereum, Aleph Zero offers scalability and efficiency improvements compared to processing transactions directly on the Ethereum mainnet.This translates to lower fees and faster confirmation times.
Subsecond Proving Times: This is a game-changer. This marks the first EVM-compatible privacy solution capable of subsecond ZK proving times, significantly enhancing the end-user experience by making on-chain privacy virtually instantaneous.Traditional ZK-proof generation can be computationally intensive and time-consuming. With zkOS by Aleph Zero and the zk-privacy EVM layer 2, we aim to change that not only in the Aleph Zero ecosystem, but also in the broader Ethereum ecosystem thanks to the flexibility of Arbitrum Orbit s stack and our collaboration with the idOS network. -Antoni Zolciak, Co-founder of Aleph ZeroAleph Zero's solution achieves incredibly fast proving times, making on-chain privacy practically instantaneous.
Arbitrum Orbit & Gelato RaaS: The solution leverages the proven technology of Arbitrum Orbit for Layer 2 scaling and Gelato's RaaS (Rollup as a Service) to streamline the deployment and management of the Layer 2 infrastructure.

The Power of Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) are a cryptographic technique that allows one party (the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that a statement is true, without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself.Think of it like proving you know the solution to a puzzle without showing the solution itself.

In the context of blockchain privacy, ZKPs enable users to transact and interact with dApps without exposing their transaction amounts, identities, or other sensitive data. The Aleph Zero Foundation is excited to announce the testnet release of its ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution powered by Arbitrum Orbit on Gelato RaaS. This marks the first EVM-compatible privacy solution capable of subsecond ZK proving times, significantly enhancing the end-user experience by making on-chain privacy virtually instantaneous.This is particularly valuable for applications involving financial transactions, supply chain management, and identity verification.

Introducing zkOS: A Vision for Client-Side ZK Privacy

Complementing the ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution is zkOS by Aleph Zero.This represents a tangible vision for a client-side ZK privacy system designed to be deployed on both the Aleph Zero EVM L2 and the Aleph Zero WASM L1.The ultimate goal of zkOS is to simplify the integration of privacy into any on-chain activity, abstracting away the complexities for web3 developers.

Imagine being able to easily add privacy features to your dApp with minimal code changes.That's the promise of zkOS. Aleph Zero zkOS and the ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2. Until today, Aleph Zero has been synonymous with its Substrate-based WASM Layer 1 blockchain, which offers developers a subsecond time to finality, support for 170 validator nodes, and over 40 external teams building various applications on top of it. The WASM Mainnet launched in November 2025.By providing developers with a suite of tools and libraries, zkOS will empower them to build privacy-preserving applications without needing to be cryptography experts.

Key Features of zkOS

Abstraction of Complexity: zkOS hides the intricate details of ZK cryptography from developers, allowing them to focus on building their applications.
Client-Side Implementation: By performing ZK-proof generation on the client-side, zkOS reduces the computational burden on the blockchain network.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: zkOS is designed to work seamlessly on both the Aleph Zero EVM L2 and the Aleph Zero WASM L1.
Developer-Friendly Tools: zkOS provides developers with a comprehensive set of tools and libraries to simplify the integration of privacy features into their dApps.

Real-World Applications of Subsecond ZK-Privacy

The combination of EVM compatibility, ZK-privacy, and subsecond proving times opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities for decentralized applications.Here are just a few examples:

Private Payments: Users can send and receive payments without revealing their transaction amounts or identities.This is crucial for protecting financial privacy and preventing transaction censorship.
Confidential Voting: Voting systems can leverage ZKPs to ensure that votes are cast anonymously and counted accurately.This can help to prevent voter coercion and manipulation.
Secure Supply Chain Management: Businesses can track the movement of goods through their supply chains without revealing sensitive information about their suppliers or customers.
Anonymous Identity Verification: Users can prove their identity without revealing their personal information.This is valuable for applications that require identity verification but do not need to know the user's actual identity.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Providing privacy for trading strategies, loan positions, and yield farming activities.

Consider a decentralized voting application.With Aleph Zero's technology, voters could cast their ballots knowing that their choices remain completely confidential.No one, not even the application administrators, could link a vote back to a specific individual.This strengthens the integrity of the electoral process and encourages participation.

Aleph Zero's Development Roadmap and Ecosystem

The Aleph Zero Foundation has a clear roadmap for the deployment of its ZK-privacy solutions.The EVM Testnet is currently available, allowing developers to experiment with the technology and build proof-of-concept applications.The Mainnet release is slated for Q3 2025, enabling developers to deploy production-ready apps with optional privacy features.

Furthermore, Aleph Zero is actively fostering a vibrant ecosystem of developers and partners.The foundation provides resources, support, and grants to encourage the development of innovative privacy-preserving applications.The collaboration with the idOS network is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to enhance the flexibility of Arbitrum Orbit's stack and broaden the reach of Aleph Zero's privacy solutions.

How to Get Involved

Explore the Testnet: Download the Aleph Zero EVM Testnet and start experimenting with the ZK-privacy features.
Join the Community: Connect with other developers and enthusiasts on the Aleph Zero Discord server and other social media channels.
Apply for a Grant: If you have a promising idea for a privacy-preserving application, consider applying for a grant from the Aleph Zero Foundation.
Contribute to the Codebase: Aleph Zero is an open-source project, and contributions from the community are always welcome.

The Significance of Subsecond Proving Times

Why are subsecond proving times so crucial?The answer lies in user experience.In the world of decentralized applications, speed and responsiveness are paramount.Imagine waiting several seconds, or even minutes, for a ZK-proof to be generated before your transaction can be confirmed.This would create a significant bottleneck and detract from the overall user experience.

By achieving subsecond proving times, Aleph Zero eliminates this bottleneck and makes on-chain privacy virtually instantaneous.This enables users to interact with privacy-preserving applications without sacrificing speed or convenience.This speed opens up new possibilities for real-time applications that require both privacy and performance, such as decentralized exchanges and high-frequency trading platforms.

Addressing Common Concerns About Blockchain Privacy

While blockchain privacy offers numerous benefits, it also raises some concerns.One common concern is the potential for privacy-preserving technologies to be used for illicit activities.It's important to address this concern head-on and emphasize that privacy is not synonymous with anonymity.

Aleph Zero's solutions are designed to provide privacy while still allowing for accountability and compliance with regulations.For example, it is possible to implement selective disclosure mechanisms that allow users to reveal their transaction data to authorized parties, such as regulators or auditors, while keeping it private from everyone else.

Another concern is the complexity of ZK cryptography.Many developers find it challenging to understand and implement ZK-proofs.This is why Aleph Zero is committed to providing developer-friendly tools and resources to simplify the integration of privacy features into dApps. zkOS is a key component of this effort, abstracting away the complexities of ZK cryptography and making it accessible to a wider range of developers.

The Future of Privacy in the Blockchain Ecosystem

Aleph Zero's ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution represents a significant step forward in the evolution of blockchain technology.By combining EVM compatibility, ZK-privacy, and subsecond proving times, Aleph Zero is paving the way for a more private, secure, and user-friendly decentralized future.

As the blockchain ecosystem continues to mature, privacy will become increasingly important.Users will demand greater control over their data and more options for protecting their privacy.Developers will need to build applications that respect user privacy and comply with evolving privacy regulations.

Aleph Zero is well-positioned to lead the charge in this area.Its commitment to innovation, its focus on user experience, and its collaborative approach make it a valuable contributor to the blockchain community.The launch of the ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution is just the beginning.We can expect to see even more exciting developments from Aleph Zero in the years to come.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

Aleph Zero's introduction of the first EVM-compatible ZK-Privacy Layer with subsecond proving times marks a turning point for blockchain privacy.This innovative solution, built on Arbitrum Orbit and Gelato RaaS, offers unparalleled speed and compatibility, making on-chain privacy accessible and practical for a wider range of applications.With zkOS, Aleph Zero aims to simplify the integration of privacy into dApps, empowering developers to build secure and user-friendly applications.As the blockchain ecosystem evolves, privacy will become increasingly critical, and Aleph Zero is poised to lead the way, offering solutions that balance privacy with accountability and compliance.The launch of the testnet is a call to action for developers and users alike to explore the possibilities of subsecond ZK-privacy and contribute to the future of decentralized technology.