Nillion Network launches on mainnet, providing privacy-focused ‘blind computation’ for dapps

Nillion Network, a decentralized network for secure data processing through “blind computation,” has launched its mainnet, transitioning from its development phase to a fully operational network.The launch introduces Nillion’s core functionality: providing "blind computation" for encrypted data within blockchain-based applications.Unlike traditional blockchains focused on transaction ledgers, Nillion leverages various cryptographic techniques, such as fully homomorphic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, to process data securely and privately across a decentralized network of nodes.The Nillion team told The Block that the protocol aims to address privacy challenges in various niches, such as AI and decentralized finance. This “blind computation” approach guarantees that sensitive information, such as personal or financial data, remains confidential even during processing.There are existing applications on Nillion, such as Ritual and Pindora, that focus on private model execution and secure data handling. Other Nillion-based dapps like Monadic DNA and Agerate offer privacy-preserving genomics and secure analytics for blood testing.With the mainnet launch, Nillion has introduced a native token, NIL, which is used for staking, governance, and incentivizing network participants, such as verifiers who ensure data integrity.NIL powers Nillion’s coordination layer, often referred to as nilChain — a Cosmos SDK-based blockchain that allows for payments, resource orchestration, and node interactions. Advanced MPC protocols distribute processing across secure nodes, eliminating single points of failure.Nillion enters a competitive landscape in the realm of privacy-preserving decentralized computation platforms such as Oasis Network, Phala, Zama, and Arcium.Last year, the project raised $50 million in a funding round led by Hack VC.Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.