Horizen Launches Mainnet on Base: Privacy-First EVM-Native L3

With deep roots in onchain privacy, Horizen has successfully migrated to Ethereum as a Layer-3 blockchain on Base for privacy-enabled and regulatory-ready applications.

Horizen has officially launched its mainnet as an EVM-native rollup on Base, marking its full transition from an independent proof-of-work blockchain to a privacy application-focused chain within the Ethereum ecosystem. The move positions Horizen as a high-performance infrastructure layer where developers can deploy Solidity-based applications while tapping into Base’s liquidity, developer ecosystem, and compliance-forward approach.

This milestone follows the July 2025 migration of ZEN, Horizen’s native token, from its original mainchain to Base as an ERC-20 asset. With its 21-million token cap preserved, ZEN now trades on decentralized exchanges such as Aerodrome and Uniswap, and legacy token holders can claim their migrated assets through Horizen’s dedicated portal. ZEN is currently available on Binance, Binance US, Coinbase, OKX, Bybit, Bitget & other major exchanges.

Launch partners include leading ecosystem infrastructure providers that enable developers to build robust apps on Horizen from day one: Caldera for rollup-as-a-service, LayerZero for omnichain interoperability, Stork for low-latency oracle feeds, Den for multisig wallet support, and Goldsky for indexing and data streaming. 

In July, Horizen introduced a five-year developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol allocating 1 million ZEN tokens (roughly $8.8 million). to support builders creating privacy-first onchain applications. As Horizen opens for business on Base, the initial set of available applications include Hubz VCE and Gamblor, with a robust and steadily expanding pipeline of projects going live shortly after mainnet, including private DeFi and business applications such as privacy-preserving payroll, verifiable online advertising, and loyalty & user engagement.

The shift to Base addresses a central challenge faced by many independent blockchains – limited liquidity and developer reach. As a Layer-3 blockchain, Horizen gains direct access to the EVM ecosystem and Base’s core infrastructure. Developers can now build on Horizen using familiar EVM tooling while benefiting from lower costs, faster finality, and inherited Ethereum-grade security.

By processing most transaction activity within its own network before batching and settling to Base, Horizen enables localized execution and maintains flexibility over gas economics, token policy, and application-layer logic, while relying on Base and Ethereum for final settlement.

From Independent L1 to Ethereum L3

Launched in 2017 as ZenCash, Horizen began as a Bitcoin-style proof-of-work chain with optional privacy features. Over the years, it expanded its technical foundation through Zendoo, a zero-knowledge-based sidechain protocol, and EON, an EVM sidechain that debuted in 2023. These combined experiences have all informed Horizen’s transition away from its legacy infrastructure and to the native EVM landscape.

Bringing Regulatory-Compliant Privacy to Base

Horizen’s next phase focuses on introducing privacy-centric applications and privacy-enhancing tools to the Base ecosystem. Developers will be able to implement selective disclosure for transfers, swaps, and on-chain identity features using standard Solidity frameworks, making privacy a practical option within Ethereum’s DeFi landscape. Through its 5-year, 100M ZEN token developer funding program in partnership with Thrive Protocol, builders are already deploying applications on Horizen.

The network will also integrate with zkVerify, Horizen Labs’ dedicated zero-knowledge proof-verification chain. Applications that depend on intensive zero-knowledge proof validation can offload that computation to zkVerify, which batches and returns compressed verification results to Horizen, cutting gas costs and latency for complex cryptographic operations.

A Familiar Environment for Developers

The new mainnet offers a fully EVM-compatible environment where teams can deploy Solidity contracts, integrate Base’s tools, and leverage the established OP Stack foundation. The combination of fast finality, low fees, and native integration with Base makes Horizen a strong fit for DeFi, SocialFi, gaming, and data-intensive applications that demand scale, flexibility, and privacy utility.

Roadmap

In conjunction with the mainnet launch, the first applications to go live on Horizen demonstrate its privacy-first approach to ecosystem development. Post-launch, ZEN staking will be reintroduced, enabling token holders to participate in network rewards through a new staking mechanism. Horizen Labs will release a builder preview of its Confidential Compute Environment, providing early access to developers building privacy-preserving applications.

In Q1 2026, the Confidential Compute Environment will launch, using Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to isolate and encrypt computation directly on-chain. This environment will give developers a tool to deploy privacy-preserving applications without learning complex cryptography, thereby enabling secure, private app execution right onchain.

Horizen

Horizen is an EVM-native privacy-first ecosystem on Base, built to power practical, regulatory-compliant private execution for real onchain business activity. Designed for businesses and users that need confidentiality without sacrificing interoperability or compliance, Horizen offers a secure and auditable environment for privacy-centric applications and transactions, supported by an expanding ecosystem. The ZEN token anchors economic participation across Horizen, powering governance, utility, and long-term ecosystem alignment.

About Horizen Labs

Founded in 2019, Horizen Labs is a leading blockchain technology company specializing in zero-knowledge cryptography. Dedicated to scaling decentralized networks, Horizen Labs is elevating blockchain technology to unprecedented levels of efficiency. By focusing on developing next-gen, modular architectures, Horizen Labs is setting new standards for performance, security, and cost-effectiveness. Horizen Labs is trusted by industry giants such as Yuga Labs, Animoca Brands, and Offchain Labs. Additionally, it is the development company engaged by the ApeCoin DAO and Horizen DAO to develop leading projects such as ApeChain and Horizen. Horizen Labs is a globally distributed team with offices in Milan and New York City.