what's Privacy Pools?
Privacy Pools is a privacy-preserving protocol built on Ethereum that enables users to transact anonymously while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. Developed by 0xbow, it addresses the limitations of previous mixers like Tornado Cash by incorporating mechanisms to exclude illicit funds, ensuring pool integrity through zero-knowledge proofs and an Authorized Service Provider (ASP) layer for approvals. The protocol's architecture features three layers: the contract layer for managing assets and state, the zero-knowledge layer for privacy via cryptographic commitments, and the ASP layer for compliance checks. Users can deposit native cryptocurrencies or ERC20 tokens, perform partial withdrawals, and demonstrate fund legitimacy on-chain without revealing transaction histories, supporting multi-asset operations in a non-custodial manner.
Privacy Pools launched on Starknet Mainnet in January 2026.
Links
x.com/0xprivacypoolsDistributes FXN token rewards to users who deposited fxUSD in the stablecoin pool, with the third epoch offering 75 FXN in total rewards.
Integrated with Liquity to enable minting cryptostables through Privacy Pools
Integrated with Liquity's BOLD stablecoin.
Launched on Starknet Mainnet in January 2026.
Integrated with Starknet as the first non-EVM chain, providing privacy functionality for trading.
fxUSD is the largest stable pool on the platform.
Listed among privacy-focused projects building on Arbitrum in 2026 alongside Session, Fhenix, and Zama.
Integrated with OP Mainnet
Received public defense from SEC chair at SEC Crypto Task Force roundtable on financial surveillance and privacy on December 16, 2025.
A user demonstrates Privacy Pools usage for everyday payments in Brazil through Yodl Pay integration with the government's PIX payment processor system, completing transactions at businesses without KYC by converting ETH to USDT on Arbitrum.
Inco and 0xPredicate publish a new report reviewing privacy and compliance in blockchain systems, featuring Privacy Pools among solutions explored alongside Aleo, Railgun, zkSync and other privacy projects.
0xbow raises $3.5 million in funding to enhance Privacy Pools technology.
Privacy Pools integrates into Ethereum Foundation's Kohaku privacy framework showcased by Vitalik Buterin at Devcon, providing modular on-chain privacy primitives for Ethereum-connected wallets alongside Railgun.
Research published detailing Privacy Pools implementation on EBSI (European Blockchain Services Infrastructure) to enable institutional use with regulatory compliance and EU data protection alignment.
V2 version launches with compliant shielded pools functionality.
Competitor Penumbra shuts down; users invited to migrate funds to protocol.
Protocol TVL approaching 1000 ETH milestone with steady growth in deposits.
Delta-neutral yield opportunities offering 50-100% APY available through protocol, requiring only minutes of daily position monitoring.
wstETH integration launches, enabling private yield-generating transactions
Protocol launches USDS token support as first ERC20 integration, with sUSDS and DAI implementations planned for near future.
Stablecoin privacy feature announced for upcoming release.
Protocol integrates with Squid Router for cross-chain functionality and zkp2p for fiat on/off ramp capabilities.
Protocol reports active bug incident requiring immediate attention.
Security breaches at major centralized exchanges create increased demand for private fund transfer solutions.
Deposit limits removed, allowing users to deposit more than 1 ETH into protocol.
New privacy protocol launches with functionality similar to Tornado Cash.
Protocol launches on Ethereum mainnet with Vitalik Buterin's support.
New blockchain privacy tool launches, based on Vitalik Buterin's research and developed by 0xbow.
New privacy protocol launches on Ethereum mainnet, enabling compliant private transactions.
New compliant privacy protocol launches on Ethereum mainnet as Tornado Cash alternative.
Compliant anonymous transaction platform on Ethereum by 0xbow, blocks illicit actors
Currently running contribution ceremony requiring GitHub account. Multiple tweets showing participation attestations.