Aztec: Private Smart Contracts Settling to Ethereum Are Live - 21 Sep 2026

Aztec's private smart contracts, which settle to Ethereum, are live as of 21 Sep 2026. The activation moves the protocol from roadmap into operation: users can now run contracts whose execution stays private while proofs are verified on Ethereum. For AZTEC holders, the launch converts the project's core claim into observable network activity and fee exposure.Usage is now the variable to watch. Every private contract interaction generates proof work and settlement demand on Ethereum, so fee exposure depends on actual adoption rather than announcements. Adoption pace, proof costs, and settlement load will show whether the design holds at scale, and these signals can be tracked directly on-chain.Doubling down with you.Private smart contracts, settled to Ethereum, live right now.This is what Aztec was built for.