Horizen Launches Mainnet on Base

With deep roots in onchain privateness, Horizen has efficiently migrated to Ethereum as a Layer-3 blockchain on Base for privacy-enabled and regulatory-ready functions.

Horizen has formally launched its mainnet as an EVM-native rollup on Base, marking its full transition from an unbiased proof-of-work blockchain to a privateness application-focused chain throughout the Ethereum ecosystem. The transfer positions Horizen as a high-performance infrastructure layer the place builders can deploy Solidity-based functions whereas tapping into Base’s liquidity, developer ecosystem, and compliance-forward method.

This milestone follows the July 2025 migration of ZEN, Horizen’s native token, from its unique mainchain to Base as an ERC-20 asset. With its 21-million token cap preserved, ZEN now trades on decentralized exchanges akin to Aerodrome and Uniswap, and legacy token holders can declare their migrated belongings via Horizen’s devoted portal. ZEN is at the moment out there on Binance, Binance US, Coinbase, OKX, Bybit, Bitget & different main exchanges.

Launch companions embrace main ecosystem infrastructure suppliers that allow builders to construct strong apps on Horizen from day one: Caldera for rollup-as-a-service, LayerZero for omnichain interoperability, Stork for low-latency oracle feeds, Den for multisig pockets assist, and Goldsky for indexing and knowledge streaming. 

In July, Horizen launched a five-year developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol allocating 1 million ZEN tokens (roughly $8.8 million). to assist builders creating privacy-first onchain functions. As Horizen opens for enterprise on Base, the preliminary set of accessible functions embrace Hubz VCE and Gamblor, with a strong and steadily increasing pipeline of initiatives going dwell shortly after mainnet, together with non-public DeFi and enterprise functions akin to privacy-preserving payroll, verifiable internet advertising, and loyalty & consumer engagement.

The shift to Base addresses a central problem confronted by many unbiased blockchains – restricted liquidity and developer attain. As a Layer-3 blockchain, Horizen positive factors direct entry to the EVM ecosystem and Base’s core infrastructure. Developers can now construct on Horizen utilizing acquainted EVM tooling whereas benefiting from decrease prices, sooner finality, and inherited Ethereum-grade safety.

By processing most transaction exercise inside its personal community earlier than batching and settling to Base, Horizen permits localized execution and maintains flexibility over fuel economics, token coverage, and application-layer logic, whereas relying on Base and Ethereum for last settlement.

From Independent L1 to Ethereum L3

Launched in 2017 as ZenCash, Horizen started as a Bitcoin-style proof-of-work chain with optionally available privateness options. Over the years, it expanded its technical basis via Zendoo, a zero-knowledge-based sidechain protocol, and EON, an EVM sidechain that debuted in 2023. These mixed experiences have all knowledgeable Horizen’s transition away from its legacy infrastructure and to the native EVM panorama.

Bringing Regulatory-Compliant Privacy to Base

Horizen’s subsequent part focuses on introducing privacy-centric functions and privacy-enhancing instruments to the Base ecosystem. Developers will be capable to implement selective disclosure for transfers, swaps, and on-chain identification options utilizing normal Solidity frameworks, making privateness a sensible choice inside Ethereum’s DeFi panorama. Through its 5-year, 100M ZEN token developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol, builders are already deploying functions on Horizen.

The community may also combine with zkVerify, Horizen Labs’ devoted zero-knowledge proof-verification chain. Applications that rely on intensive zero-knowledge proof validation can offload that computation to zkVerify, which batches and returns compressed verification outcomes to Horizen, slicing fuel prices and latency for advanced cryptographic operations.

A Familiar Environment for Developers

The new mainnet gives a completely EVM-compatible surroundings the place groups can deploy Solidity contracts, combine Base’s instruments, and leverage the established OP Stack basis. The mixture of quick finality, low charges, and native integration with Base makes Horizen a robust match for DeFi, SocialFi, gaming, and data-intensive functions that demand scale, flexibility, and privateness utility.

Roadmap

In conjunction with the mainnet launch, the primary functions to go dwell on Horizen display its privacy-first method to ecosystem improvement. Post-launch, ZEN staking will likely be reintroduced, enabling token holders to take part in community rewards via a brand new staking mechanism. Horizen Labs will launch a builder preview of its Confidential Compute Environment, offering early entry to builders constructing privacy-preserving functions.

In Q1 2026, the Confidential Compute Environment will launch, utilizing Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to isolate and encrypt computation instantly on-chain. This surroundings will give builders a software to deploy privacy-preserving functions with out studying advanced cryptography, thereby enabling safe, non-public app execution proper onchain.

Horizen

Horizen is an EVM-native privacy-first ecosystem on Base, constructed to energy sensible, regulatory-compliant non-public execution for actual onchain enterprise exercise. Designed for companies and customers that want confidentiality with out sacrificing interoperability or compliance, Horizen gives a safe and auditable surroundings for privacy-centric functions and transactions, supported by an increasing ecosystem. The ZEN token anchors financial participation throughout Horizen, powering governance, utility, and long-term ecosystem alignment.

About Horizen Labs

Founded in 2019, Horizen Labs is a number one blockchain expertise firm specializing in zero-knowledge cryptography. Dedicated to scaling decentralized networks, Horizen Labs is elevating blockchain expertise to unprecedented ranges of effectivity. By focusing on growing next-gen, modular architectures, Horizen Labs is setting new requirements for efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Horizen Labs is trusted by trade giants akin to Yuga Labs, Animoca Brands, and Offchain Labs. Additionally, it’s the improvement firm engaged by the ApeCoin DAO and Horizen DAO to develop main initiatives akin to ApeChain and Horizen. Horizen Labs is a globally distributed group with workplaces in Milan and New York City.

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