Dusk is a Layer-1 blockchain built specifically for regulated financial markets, designed to bring real-world assets and institutional finance on-chain without sacrificing privacy or compliance. Founded in 2018, the project focuses on enabling the issuance, trading, and settlement of securities and financial instruments in a legally compliant environment.
At its core, Dusk combines zero-knowledge cryptography with built-in regulatory logic. This allows transactions and positions to remain private while still enabling selective disclosure for auditors and regulators. Unlike traditional public blockchains, compliance is not an add-on but a foundational feature, aligned with European frameworks such as MiCA, MiFID II, and the EU DLT Pilot Regime.
Dusk’s architecture is modular. The base layer, DuskDS, handles settlement, data availability, and consensus using a proof-of-stake model optimized for fast finality. On top of this, DuskEVM provides Ethereum compatibility, allowing developers to deploy smart contracts using familiar tools. Identity and access controls are supported through Citadel, enabling KYC-aware, permissioned interactions when required.
The network reached a major milestone in January 2025 with the launch of its mainnet. Since then, a two-way bridge and a public DuskEVM testnet have expanded interoperability and developer access. Strategic partnerships, including Chainlink and the regulated Dutch exchange NPEX, demonstrate real adoption by bringing compliant securities and reliable data on-chain.
Dusk represents a pragmatic vision of blockchain’s future: private, compliant, and ready for real finance.
