Dusk is turning a big corner. The network is about to get a major architectural overhaul one that makes it faster to build on, easier to integrate with and a lot more efficient. But all the while Dusk keeps what makes it unique: strong privacy and regulatory compliance. The new design turns Dusk into a three-layer modular stack cutting down integration costs and development time, without giving up on compliance or confidentiality.
At the heart of this upgrade you'll find three distinct layers DuskDS, DuskEVM and, soon, DuskVM. Each layer does its own job. Together they create a flexible, future-ready stack that covers everything from institutional finance to compliant DeFi to privacy-first applications all under one roof.
Why Dusk Is Adopting a Multilayer Approach
So why the change? It comes down to speed and cost. Dusk wants to help developers launch real financial apps faster and cheaper. Before, building on Dusk’s custom Layer 1 meant expensive, slow integrations. It was painful to maintain. The new modular design strips away much of that hassle.
Developers now get to use standard Ethereum tooling instead of building from scratch. Wallets, bridges, exchanges, service providers they can all hook into Dusk in weeks, not months. If you already have an EVM-based app, you can migrate with just a few tweaks. No more endless custom development just for Dusk.
Plus the codebase shrinks and gets easier (and cheaper) to maintain while the network inherits proven EVM scalability right out of the gate. That means Dusk can move faster and stay secure, even as demand grows.
A Look at the Multilayer Architecture
Dusk new design pulls in EIP-4844 (Proto-Danksharding) and folds it into Rusk, the Dusk node implementation. On top of that, Dusk adds a port of Optimism as the EVM execution layer, which settles directly on the Dusk ledger. Each part of the stack is tuned for a specific role.
DuskDS: Data & Settlement Layer
DuskDS is the network’s foundation. It handles consensus, staking, data availability, settlement, and the native bridge that links everything together. Validators run DuskDS nodes and keep the system secure and final.
One standout feature: the MIPS-powered pre-verifier inside DuskDS (Rusk). This checks state transitions before they hit the chain, so there’s no need for drawn-out fault windows. Forget about the 7-day challenge period you see in some optimistic rollups. Settlement gets faster and more reliable a must for regulated financial use cases.
DuskEVM: The EVM Application Layer
DuskEVM is where most DeFi and compliance-focused apps will live. It supports standard Solidity smart contracts and tools like Hardhat and MetaMask. That slashes the learning curve for developers, exchanges, and custodians already familiar with Ethereum.
But DuskEVM goes further. It’s built to handle Homomorphic Encryption (HE) operations, making confidential transactions and hidden order books auditable. That’s a big deal for regulated financial products privacy without losing auditability.
For most users and exchanges DuskEVM will become the main arena for DUSK: the go-to spot for transactions and applications.
DuskVM: The Privacy Application Layer
DuskVM is all about privacy. It runs apps using the Phoenix output-based transaction model and the Piecrust virtual machine. Right now, these pieces live inside DuskDS, but they’re being pulled out into DuskVM to make the system even more modular.
This split lets privacy-focused apps evolve on their own, while still staying connected to the wider Dusk network.
One Token, One Native Bridge
The new architecture keeps things simple: one DUSK token powers all three layers.
On DuskDS, DUSK handles staking, governance, and settlement.
On DuskEVM, DUSK pays for gas and powers Solidity dApp transactions.
On DuskVM, DUSK runs privacy-preserving apps.
Value moves between layers over a validator-run, trustless native bridge. No wrapped assets. No custodians. No outside dependencies. ERC20 and BEP20 versions of DUSK will migrate to DuskEVM, making liquidity and exchange support easier.
For validators and stakers, it’s a smooth transition. No extra steps. Balances stay put, and nodes get DuskEVM compatibility just by running the new release.
Get to Market Faster, Spend Less
Efficiency stands out as one of the biggest advantages here. Integrating on custom Layer 1s used to drag on for half a year or more, racking up costs as much as 50 times higher than EVM deployments. This new architecture flips the script. What once took months now happens in weeks. Plug-and-play compatibility means there’s no need to build custom wallets, explorers, or specialized tools from scratch. Dusk opens the doors wide to outside developers and infrastructure teams, making it far simpler for them to get involved.
Built for Institutions, Ready for Regulation
NPEX MTF, ECSP, and Broker licenses apply across the full Dusk stack. Institutions can issue, trade, and settle real-world assets under a single, unified regulatory framework. This isn’t just about staying compliant it brings DeFi to market faster and cuts out needless complexity.
What institutions get: a fully licensed environment for custody, issuance, and trading; one-time KYC that works everywhere on Dusk; and composable applications built on the same licensed assets. No other network brings privacy, composability, and compliance together under one all-encompassing license like this.
Dusk shift to a multilayer modular architecture goes beyond a simple technical upgrade it’s a strategic leap. Now, compliant, privacy-first finance isn’t just possible at scale, it’s practical. DuskDS handles settlement, DuskEVM makes the system accessible, and DuskVM brings deep privacy, all tied together with a single token and a native bridge.
The result? A network that’s faster to build on, cheaper to run, and custom-built for real-world, regulated financial markets.
