what's Miden?
Miden is a zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup Layer 2 blockchain built on Ethereum, designed as an "edge blockchain" that emphasizes privacy, scalability, and client-side computation. It enables private and scalable smart contracts by shifting execution to the user's device, where transactions are processed locally and proven using STARK proofs before being verified on-chain. This architecture minimizes data exposure, reduces latency, and supports high-throughput applications without compromising security or decentralization. Powered by a STARK-based zkVM, Miden allows developers to write smart contracts in Rust, leveraging the language's efficiency for complex computations. The protocol integrates with Ethereum for settlement and uses recursive proofs for efficient verification, making it suitable for institutional use cases requiring confidentiality, such as large batch payments. As a spinout from Polygon Labs, Miden focuses on ecosystem growth through tools like the Miden Wallet and developer programs, aiming to redefine blockchain scalability by empowering users as provers.
Miden co-founder Azeem Khan discussed crypto/cypherpunk themes with TheBlock today.
Links
x.com/0xmidenPartners with Lambda Class for privacy-focused infrastructure and onchain ventures.
Mentioned as an example of a project building zk-native execution in a thread discussing ZK technology's role in DeFi infrastructure.
Participated in ETHDenver 2026 Privacy Salon on February 17th with Bobbin Threadbare, Aleo, Midnight Network, Ledger, 1kx, StarkWare, and Ludlow Institute. Spoke at Quantum Summit alongside Hack VC representatives.
Co-founder Azeem Khan participated in an interview or discussion with TheBlock about crypto and cypherpunk themes on February 6, 2026.
Partnered with KODA, which controls 80% of Korea's institutional custody market.
Head of Communications and Special Advisor Ben Schiller speaking at ETHDenver 2026 conference.
Participated in a panel discussion on privacy and regulations at Hypernest DAO on 2026-01-22 at 4 PM CET alongside representatives from Fhenix and Hyli.
Integrates technology from Billions Network to add compliance capabilities meeting real-world regulatory requirements.
Allocated 0.2% of total token supply to creators, fully unlocked at TGE and distributed to the top 300 creators ranked by mindshare.
Launched a three-phase creator campaign on Kaito from November 17, 2025 to no later than April 17, 2026, with rewards granted at TGE.
Sponsors the BUIDL Conference scheduled to begin on 2026-01-07 in Lisbon, Portugal, alongside other blockchain projects.
High TPS upgrade scheduled for Q2 2026.
Integration with Qash, an off-ramp B2B neobank for payroll and treasury management.
Integration with ZoroSwap, an AMM DEX and oracle provider.
Integration with Lumina Engine, a programmable dark pool for institutional trading.
Integration with Miden Name, the INS service on the network.
Integration with Walnut, a testnet sandbox.
Integrating NEAR's Intents feature into the protocol.
Launched a new playground environment for developers.
Integrating Para SDK for account generation on the platform.
Revealed new wallet browser UI.
Named alongside Aztec, Nightfall, and COTI by Paul Brody from Ethereum as a privacy-focused Layer 2 solution in a discussion about enterprise privacy on Ethereum.
Wins best in privacy award in the 2025 crypto awards.
Leads ZK category mindshare gains with Zcash as market narrative shifts toward DeFi/ZK/prediction markets.
v0.12 testnet version is now available.
Partnership with OpenZeppelin develops Private State Management (PSM) for private multisigs on Miden, and an early public proof-of-concept multisig is now live.
Raises $25M seed funding from a16z crypto, 1kx, Hack VC, Finality, Symbolic, and Delta Fund, with mainnet and token launch scheduled for end of Q4 2025/early Q1 2026 and 10% of supply earmarked for POL holder airdrop.
Dome Protocol launches as a multichain private stablecoin management protocol powered by Miden and built by Arcane Finance.
Featured in OpenZeppelin's flagship Convergence summit on November 21 at EF Devcon Buenos Aires alongside major projects including Ethereum Foundation, Uniswap, Circle, Chainlink, and Arbitrum.
Partnership announced to provide non-custodial onboarding infrastructure for privacy-first applications built on Miden with fintech-grade usability.
Collaboration established to develop standards powering private custody, OTC trading, and provable compliance.
New airdrop confirmed for POL token stakers as part of multi-project distribution initiative.
Voting participants receive 489% return on investment from recent platform activity.
Strategic spinoff from Polygon signals independent development path.
Secured new funding round while building differentiated onchain privacy solutions.
Project secures $25M funding and spins out from Polygon to launch independent blockchain
Privacy blockchain raises $25M in seed funding led by a16z.
$25M seed funding round secured from a16z crypto, 1kx, and Hack VC.
A16z leads $25M funding round for institutional-focused zk blockchain from Polygon.
Recent $25M raise and organizational separation from Polygon ecosystem signals independent development path.
$25M seed funding round secured from a16z Crypto, Hack VC, and 1kx for Polygon Labs-incubated project.
$25M seed round secured with planned airdrop to POL stakers; mainnet launch targeted for Q4 2025.
Raises $25M from a16z, 1kx, and hack_vc; announces independence from Polygon Labs and future POL staker airdrop.
$25M seed funding secured from a16z Crypto for privacy-focused smart contract platform development.
$25M seed round completed with a16z, Hack VC, and 1kx leading; 10% of future tokens allocated to Polygon holders.