Privacy layer-2 Aztec ships its Tierra upgrade, fixing a critical bug and cutting Ethereum deposit messages from two minutes to 12 seconds

Summary

The Aztec Foundation launched Tierra, the Alpha V6 upgrade to its privacy-focused Ethereum layer-2 network, which it says fixes known vulnerabilities including a critical issue in V5, The Block and Decrypt reported.

Private transaction proofs now generate in about one second on a user's device, twice as fast as before, and messages from Ethereum can reach Aztec in as little as 12 seconds versus about two minutes previously, the foundation said, per both outlets.

The upgrade also adds an AI-based security testing system, and Decrypt said it brings formal verification of core cryptographic components.

It arrives alongside a slate of private apps, led by the revived zk.money payments wallet, and a new brand and website, according to both outlets.

Key facts

• Asked why the critical V5 issue wasn't fixed sooner, an Aztec spokesperson said the whole decentralized network had to move to a new version to implement the fix. (The Block)
• Aztec says it has more than 3,000 validators, no centralized sequencer and no privileged viewing keys. (Decrypt)
• Apps launching or preparing to launch include Galactica (private AI inference), Nemi (private perpetuals trading), the Nulo browser wallet and Rolling Chat, a message board based on Vitalik Buterin's Aztec experiments. (The Block)
• 'Privacy shouldn't be something you have to request or trust someone else to protect,' said Aztec Foundation CEO Zac Williamson. (Decrypt)

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