In the world of encryption, privacy and compliance were once seen as a dichotomy, but @Dusk dusk_foundation has demonstrated through action that the two can be perfectly integrated, even becoming the cornerstone of the next trillion-dollar sector.
Dusk Network, as a Layer-1 public chain designed specifically for regulated financial markets, has been quietly cultivating since its inception in 2018. At the beginning of 2026, the mainnet was officially activated, and DuskEVM (the EVM-compatible application layer) went live in the second week of January, which means that developers can write smart contracts in familiar Solidity while enjoying the 'auditable privacy' provided by Dusk's native zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) and homomorphic encryption—transaction details are hidden from the public, but regulatory bodies can verify compliance. This directly addresses the pain point of traditional public chains' 'full transparency' that has deterred institutions from going on-chain.
More significantly, DuskTrade — the first real-world asset (RWA) application platform co-developed by Dusk and the licensed Dutch exchange NPEX (managing over 300 million euros in assets) — is set to officially launch in 2026. Users can participate directly in the issuance, trading, and instant settlement of institutional-level securities (such as stocks and bonds) through self-custody wallets, fully compliant with EU MiCA, MiFID II, and DLT pilot regulations. Imagine this: no intermediaries, T+0 settlement, low costs, and the ability to protect personal privacy. This is the true future financial model bridging TradFi and DeFi!
$DUSK As the native token of the network, it undertakes gas fees, staking rewards, and governance functions. The total supply is fixed (early information indicates a cap of 1 billion, with nearly 500 million in circulation), along with a long-term emission mechanism (gradually reducing emissions over 36 years), with value anchored in actual adoption and ecological growth. The mainnet is now operational, Hedger Alpha (privacy tool) has launched, and the integration of Chainlink standards has been completed, officially opening the door to institutional-level asset onboarding.
Why is it worth paying attention to Dusk now? Because in the era of comprehensive MiCA implementation in Europe, privacy is no longer a 'grey area' but a necessary compliance requirement. Dusk is not chasing trends but has been laying the foundation for institutional-level applications. Now, it has finally shifted from a 'potential stock' to 'infrastructure' — quiet but powerful.
If you are interested in RWA, privacy DeFi, and compliant on-chain solutions, it might be worth delving into @Dusk dusk_foundation's documentation and roadmap. The year 2026 may very well be the year Dusk truly erupts. Let's witness the next generation financial revolution driven by privacy and compliance together!