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Aztec Connect logoAztec Connect

  • Total value locked$17.31 M11.97%
  • Breakdown
  • Daily TPSNo data
  • 30D tx countNo data
  • TechnologyZK Rollup
  • PurposePrivate DeFi

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Tokens:

Description

Aztec Connect is an open source layer 2 network that aims to bring scalability and privacy to Ethereum. It strives to enable affordable, private crypto payments via zero-knowledge proofs. Additionally it allows to deposit funds into a variety of DeFi Protocols such as LiDo, Element.Fi, etc.

If you find something wrong on this page you can submit an issue or edit the information.

Risk analysis

Sequencer failureState validationData availabilityUpgradeabilityValidator failure

State validation

ZK proofs (SN)

ZK-SNARKS are zero knowledge proofs that ensure state correctness, but require trusted setup.

Data availability

On chain

All of the data needed for proof construction is published on chain.

Upgradeability

Yes

1/2 MSig can upgrade or change Validator. 2/15 MSig can pause.

Sequencer failure

Propose blocks (ZK)

The user needs to run their own node and use it to propose new blocks that include otherwise censored transactions. Proposing new blocks requires creating ZK proofs which are very computationally expensive.

Validator failure

Propose blocks (ZK)

The user needs to run their own node and use it to propose new blocks to replace the validator. Proposing new blocks requires creating ZK proofs which are very computationally expensive.

Technology

Validity proofs ensure state correctness

Each update to the system state must be accompanied by a ZK Proof that ensures that the new state was derived by correctly applying a series of valid user transactions to the previous state. Once the proof is processed on the Ethereum blockchain the L2 block is instantly finalized.

  1. RollupProcessor.sol#L395 - Etherscan source code

Zero knowledge SNARK cryptography is used

Despite their production use ZK-SNARKs are still new and experimental cryptography. Cryptography has made a lot of advancements in the recent years but all cryptographic solutions rely on time to prove their security. In addition ZK-SNARKs require a trusted setup to operate.

  • Funds can be stolen if the cryptography is broken or implemented incorrectly.

  1. StandardVerifier.sol#L37 - Etherscan source code

All data required for proofs is published on chain

All the data that is used to construct the system state is published on chain in the form of cheap calldata. This ensures that it will always be available when needed.

  1. RollupProcessor.sol#L359 - Etherscan source code

Operator

The system has a centralized operator

Only specific addresses appointed by the owner are permitted to propose new blocks during regular rollup operation. Periodically a special window is open during which anyone can propose new blocks.

  • MEV can be extracted if the operator exploits their centralized position and frontruns user transactions.

  1. RollupProcessor.sol#L97 - Etherscan source code

Users can force any transaction

Because the block production is open to anyone if users experience censorship from the operator they can propose their own blocks which would include their transactions. Periodically the rollup opens a special window during which anyone can propose new blocks.

  • Users can be censored if the operator refuses to include their transactions and users lack resources to propose blocks themselves.

  1. RollupProcessor.sol#L347 - Etherscan source code

Withdrawals

Regular withdraw

The user initiates the withdrawal by submitting a transaction on L2. When the block containing that transaction is proven on L1 the assets are automatically withdrawn to the user.

  1. RollupProcessor.sol#LL396 - Etherscan source code

Other considerations

Payments are private

Balances and identities for all tokens on the Aztec rollup are encrypted. Each transaction is encoded as a zkSNARK, protecting user data.

  1. Fast Privacy, Now - Aztec Medium Blog

Smart Contracts

A diagram of the smart contract architecture
A diagram of the smart contract architecture

The system consists of the following smart contracts:

Main Rollup contract responsible for deposits, withdrawals and accepting transaction batches alongside zkProof. This contract stores the following tokens: ETH, DAI, wstETH.

AztecFeeDistributor 0x4cf3…4927

Contract responsible for distributing fees and reimbursing gas to Rollup Providers.

DefiBridgeProxy 0xA1BB…1487

Bridge Connector to various DeFi Bridges.

Verifier28x32 0xB656…5939

Standard Plonk zkSNARK Verifier. It can be upgraded by the owner with no delay.

The current deployment carries some associated risks:

  • Funds can be stolen if a contract receives a malicious code upgrade. There is no delay on code upgrades (CRITICAL).

Milestones

Introducing Noir

2022 Oct 6th

Noir - programming language for zero-knowledge proofs, has been introduced.

Learn more

Mainnet Launch

2022 Jul 7th

Aztec Connect is live on mainnet, enabling private DeFi on Ethereum.

Learn more