Horizen, a pioneer of privacy-focused blockchain projects, has successfully relaunched its mainnet on Base, marking the completion of the most significant phase of its long-standing transformation process.
This transition signifies the project's official shift from its former Layer 1 architecture to a Layer 3 structure. This milestone is viewed not only as a technical renewal but also as a substantial governance achievement, re-energizing a community that has been active for nearly nine years.
Horizen's Evolution to a Layer 3 Architecture
Horizen Labs CEO Rob Viglione explained that the majority of the legacy zero-knowledge (ZK)-based proof-of-work layer has not been transferred to the new network. Instead, a more modern and flexible proof-of-stake application chain has been designed. Viglione elaborated that the project, originally launched as ZenCash in 2016, has undergone significant evolution over the years, leading naturally to its current transformation.
Empowering Developers with Privacy Tools on Base
With its new structure, Horizen aims to provide developers with practical privacy tools integrated within the Base ecosystem. The project will support both confidential financial services and emerging application areas such as GambleFi and SocialFi, backed by a development fund of 100 million ZEN allocated over the next five years.
Regulatory-Compliant Privacy Models
Horizen's approach is founded on regulatory-compliant privacy models that operate on the principle of “selective disclosure.” This framework allows users to choose transaction privacy while retaining the ability to maintain regulatory oversight when necessary. This policy offers a more balanced roadmap following the removal of confidential transactions from the mainnet in 2023, a decision influenced by global pressures.
Token Trading and Exchange Support
The relaunched ZEN token has commenced trading on Base through Aerodrome and Uniswap. Additionally, the token has garnered support from major cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, OKX, and Bitget.
Future Vision and Ecosystem Partnerships
Horizen's new vision is anchored in a modern architecture that concentrates solely on the execution layer. This design offers developers privacy modules that are compliant with local regulations and built upon Base's robust security infrastructure. The project aspires to achieve long-term compatibility with Coinbase's strategic direction while simultaneously fortifying its ecosystem through strategic partnerships with key infrastructure providers such as LayerZero, Caldera, and Stork.