Here we report on the progress of the leading builders in the zkL1 ecosystem, documenting recent significant releases, technical breakthroughs and general updates
Featuring @AleoHQ, @MinaProtocol/@o1_labs, @horizenglobal, @Zcash, @hyli_org, @namada, & @DuskFoundation
A recent blog post explained how @AleoHQ introduces a privacy-first blockchain model where users maintain control over data disclosure through view keys - read-only cryptographic tools built into every account: https://aleo.org/post/aleo-view-key-compliance/
With Account View Keys for full account visibility and Transaction View Keys for single transaction access, Aleo enables selective transparency.
This approach satisfies compliance needs like audits or KYC, without compromising privacy, storing sensitive data, or exposing users to unnecessary regulatory or security risk.
They also shared the story of CodeSprint winner Alex Kim, who developed zPassport - a privacy-focused digital identity app using ZK cryptography: https://aleo.org/post/codesprint-private-identity-verification/
The app converts government-issued passports into secure credentials that prove traits like age or citizenship without revealing extra personal data. It avoids third-party storage and supports Aleo’s decentralized identity vision. Kim plans a full release once key network features are added.
Finally, in a recent article, @josh_hawkins, EVP of Strategy, Policy & Communications at Aleo, talked about how blockchain’s radical transparency - once its strength - now exposes users to serious privacy risks: https://fastcompany.com/91360406/privacy-is-blockchains-missing-link-and-americas-opportunity-to-lead-blockchain-privac
Josh argues that without built-in confidentiality, blockchain won’t scale. With ZKPs and supportive regulation, especially in the U.S., there’s a chance to make privacy standard, ensuring both compliance and user protection in digital finance.
During the recent @MinaProtocol Community Call, the @MinaFoundation and @o1_labs teams announced that the transition of responsibilities - including community engagement, marketing, grants, and ecosystem support - is nearing completion, with o1Labs taking the lead. Key updates include: https://forums.minaprotocol.com/t/community-call-recap-transition-milestones-ecosystem-priorities-and-what-s-next-for-mina/6883
In summary:
Mina Foundation will focus on launching a decentralized, community-governed treasury by the end of 2025.
o1Labs emphasized priorities like tighter feedback loops with developers, improved communication, and ecosystem growth.
A protocol upgrade is planned for fall, alongside enhanced developer tools and continued support for key zkApp projects.
The teams aim to reset expectations and build toward long-term sustainability and community-driven progress.
Tech
@horizenglobal has released its final mainnet node upgrades: ZEN 6.0.0 and EON 1.5.0: https://mirror.xyz/0xF4D306be0E45E78bfE29588Bd018fe9CE405a62d/lpHBXvyI3p8Si0gzFoRz58kZJKF9KtJvRSeJyklmWLo
These updates initiate the migration to @base and deactivate the legacy chain. Node operators must update by July 23, 2025 (ZEN) and July 22, 2025 (EON).
The scheduled hard fork will occur at block height 1807300. Support and resources are available via official Horizen channels.
Partnerships
Horizen and @thriveprotocol have launched a five-year developer funding program offering up to 1M ZEN.
Approved projects can receive up to $100K in ZEN each, focusing on areas like privacy DeFi, secure AI/ML, private gaming, and privacy governance within Web3 development: https://x.com/thriveprotocol/status/1938281266303902064
Audit
The project also announced the completion of a full audit by @HalbornSecurity for its migration smart contracts as it moves $ZEN to the Base network: https://x.com/horizenglobal/status/1940440208023179448
The audit covered contract logic, wallet authentication, and signature verification. All critical issues were addressed, ensuring a secure claim process and protection against vulnerabilities. Users are encouraged to review the findings.
@Zcash shared its latest news and ecosystem updates: https://zechub.substack.com/p/zcash-shielded-news-vol37
The report covered:
The approval of a $708K grant for ZSA integration and $8.4K for maintaining the Zcash block explorer, while the Ledger Live proposal was declined
The release of Zenith 0.10.0.0-beta, which improves sync speed, wallet recovery, and resource efficiency
Community growth from Zcash Arabia, along with the launch of a new website and plans for educational video content and online events
Ongoing development of Zallet, Zaino, and Zebra
@namada Namada has officially completed its mainnet launch, activating all core features including full NAM transferability: https://namada.net/blog/namada-mainnet-launch-is-complete
Designed to bring privacy to Web3, Namada uses ZK cryptography and a Multi-Asset Shielded Pool for secure cross-chain transactions.
After three years of development and a phased rollout, Namada now supports shielding for 10 IBC assets. The project will now expand its privacy tools across multiple blockchains and decentralized applications.
@DuskFoundation has introduced Hedger, a new privacy engine for its EVM execution layer, designed to support confidential transactions using homomorphic encryption and ZKPs: https://dusk.network/news/hedger-confidential-duskevm
Unlike its predecessor Zedger, Hedger integrates with standard Ethereum tools, ensuring scalability and compliance. It enables private asset transfers, obfuscated order books, and in-browser proving while maintaining auditability - making it suitable for regulated financial markets without compromising usability or performance.
A plethora of developers have introduced new experiments and games that showcase the flexibility, speed, and composability of the @hyli_org testnet:
First up, eZKasino is a fully verifiable blackjack game where each move is proven with @RiscZero. It uses pipelined proving to ensure smooth gameplay without delays, and randomness is derived from transaction hashes - making every card draw provably fair and trustless: https://blog.hyli.org/deep-dive-ezkasino/
Then comes Hyli Chat, a messaging app where every message must be proven with @NoirLang before being posted. This client-side proof system acts as a lightweight spam filter, requiring users to expend computing effort - a novel, decentralized approach to chat moderation: https://blog.hyli.org/deep-dive-chat/
Next is Orange Trail, a multiplayer board game that uses @SuccinctLabs SP1 to prove every move and event. Players wager tokens, trigger mini-games like the Crash game, and see instant results thanks to pipelined proving - while all interactions are validated asynchronously onchain: https://blog.hyli.org/deep-dive-orange-trail/
Finally, Hyligotchi is a playful virtual pet that reacts to your actions across the testnet. It consumes $ORANJ, needs $O2 for happiness, and requires $VIT when sick. Its state is updated in timed intervals and proven in batches, using SP1 and Merkle tree optimizations: https://blog.hyli.org/deep-dive-hyligotchi/
