Hedger is often described abstractly, but it is more useful to talk about what it does right now.
In its current alpha form, Hedger allows selective disclosure. Users can hold shielded balances and reveal specific transaction details when required. This is not all-or-nothing privacy. It is controlled visibility.
Hedger also supports privacy-aware EVM interactions. Contracts can interact with shielded state while still respecting Dusk’s compliance model. This is important for real applications, not demos.
There are constraints. UX is still heavier than public DeFi. Proving and verification add overhead. Gas costs are higher than non-private execution, and tooling is less mature.
But the value of Hedger today is testability. Developers can experiment with real privacy mechanics, understand tradeoffs, and design around them. This is different from reading about privacy in a whitepaper.
Hedger is not finished. It is usable. That distinction matters for anyone building seriously on Dusk.