Aleo Launches Mainnet, Bringing Zero-Knowledge Cryptography to the Masses

[PRESS RELEASE – San Francisco, United States, September 18th, 2024]

Aleo’s L1 creates a new ecosystem for secure and programmable applications that allow users a new level of control over their data

Today, the Aleo Network Foundation officially announced the launch of the Aleo Network, a layer-1 blockchain that combines general-purpose programmability with the power of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). The network enables the next generation of decentralized apps that provide data confidentiality to users and scale to enterprises.

Mainnet marks a critical turning point for zero-knowledge technology. For the first time ever, developers can deploy and execute applications on a layer-1 blockchain that is zero-knowledge by default. ZKPs are used to prove knowledge about a specific set of data, without having to reveal the data itself. This gives developers a platform for building private-by-default, cost-effective decentralized applications and makes new use cases in identity, finance, and gaming feasible at scale.

Starting now, developers can build applications that allow users to safely provide the information necessary to access online services while keeping enterprises from bearing the risk of maintaining and securing that data.

Developers benefit from a network that provides:

• High scalability through off-chain execution with ZK proofs, reducing computation and speeding up transactions.
• True decentralization thanks to a diverse, intentionally planned network of validators, ensuring stability, resilience, and inclusive governance.
• Unlimited runtime through off-chain execution, eliminating gas fees common to other blockchains.
• A full-stack development experience that makes it easy for developers to build ZK dApps by handling the complex cryptography.

This launch marks a significant milestone following the successful validation of Testnet Beta, where the network was thoroughly tested across diverse environments. The Foundation enhanced the network’s security by addressing findings from audits by three independent firms and resolving issues identified through bug bounty programs.

“The launch of Aleo’s mainnet marks a milestone in our mission to empower users to secure their personal information. This is not just a technological advancement; it’s a fundamental shift in how users interact with their data online,” said Alex Pruden, Executive Director of the Aleo Network Foundation. “Now, users can securely share only the personal information relevant to a specific inquiry, such as their exact age or credit score, without needing to reveal the entire contents of personal documents like birth certificates, financial data, health records, and more. Products like our in-house identity solution ZPass demonstrate the potential of an internet where users, not platforms, control the data they see and share.”

“At Variant, our guiding thesis for infrastructure investing is expanding the design space of what’s possible for applications. The unlocks of decentralized, privacy-preserving computing can’t be understated — imagine truly secure and private applications that protect user data,” said Jesse Walden, Founder and Managing Partner at Variant. “Aleo is a pioneer in private compute, and we could not be more excited to continue supporting the network.”

There is already a robust ecosystem of partners building real-world use cases on the network. Venture capital firm Electric Capital ranked Aleo as one of the top five fastest-growing ecosystems by overall developers, with an overall growth of 167%, and to date, there are 330+ active projects covering applications like DeFi, tooling and infrastructure, identity, and gaming.

“Enabling safe online spaces that uphold and protect children has been at the heart of our work at Bandio since the project’s inception. The support and collaboration we have had from Aleo throughout our entire life cycle has been invaluable,” said Lynzi Ziegenhagen, CEO of Bandio, a digital age assurance tool built on Aleo in partnership with Common Sense Media. “To see the mainnet launch as the culmination of this team’s hard work and dedication is truly exciting.”

The launch of the Aleo Network arrives at a time when the demand for secure digital solutions is at an all-time high. Without security, web3 risks remaining a digital casino, lacking the trust and utility needed for broader adoption. Aleo’s approach ensures that privacy is not an afterthought but a foundational element, essential for the evolution of meaningful and secure digital interactions.

Aleo Selects Coinbase For Day One Support

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency companies in the world widely known for pioneering innovation in the digital asset space, is providing Aleo with day-one support across three key areas: custody, staking, and learning rewards.

• Coinbase Prime is a leading institutional prime broker platform for crypto assets, trusted by some of the largest institutional clients in the world. Institutional investors can securely custody the native Aleo token with Prime.
• Staking: Coinbase will serve as one of the initial validators for the Aleo network, bringing its best-in-class staking services to support the ecosystem. By leveraging Coinbase’s extensive experience in the proof-of-stake ecosystem and its track record of supporting staking innovation, this relationship will enhance Aleo network’s infrastructure and deliver reliable, secure staking services to its participants.
• Coinbase Learning Rewards offers developers and users the opportunity to get rewarded for learning about the unique benefits of the Aleo Network. Quests challenge users through onchain tasks to help them earn rewards and familiarize themselves with key partners like Demox Labs, Puzzle, Apybara, Arcane Finance, and Aleo Name Service.

This announcement underscores Aleo’s commitment to building a robust and secure network from the outset.

“Aleo’s decision to select Coinbase for day one support is another signal to the market that users want autonomy in their experiences, and for some, that means backing technologies that prioritize privacy,” said Lewis Han, Head of Developer Sales at Coinbase. “ We are excited to support Aleo’s mainnet launch by integrating our staking services in the genesis set of validators, helping to build a more secure and user-centric onchain ecosystem.”

The launch of Aleo’s mainnet breathes life into the need for a more secure internet, where user data privacy takes precedence. As the Aleo ecosystem continues to build, zero-knowledge will finally find its footing in the mainstream. To learn more about Aleo, please visit www.aleo.org.

About the Aleo Network Foundation

The Aleo Network Foundation is a Wyoming-based non-profit 501c4 organization created to guide and support the Aleo Network, focusing on open-source governance, developer engagement, and promoting zero-knowledge cryptography applications.

About the Aleo Network

The Aleo Network is a decentralized and leading developer platform for building secure, scalable, and cost-effective decentralized applications. Using zero-knowledge cryptography, Aleo moves smart contract execution off-chain to enable new use cases for applications like identity, finance, and gaming, scaling to thousands of transactions per second. Built on a decentralized, permissionless blockchain, Aleo brings the flexibility of Ethereum with a more scalable architecture that’s designed from the ground up for privacy.