Dusk Network is a public, permissionless Layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for regulated financial markets. Unlike general-purpose blockchains that prioritize speed or scalability at the expense of compliance, Dusk builds in privacy-preserving features from the ground up. It uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to enable confidential smart contracts, private transactions, and compliant tokenization of assets. This means users can issue, trade, and settle real-world assets (RWAs) like securities, bonds, or even tokenized stocks without compromising on privacy or regulatory requirements.
At its core, Dusk addresses a critical pain point in blockchain adoption: the tension between transparency and confidentiality. Traditional blockchains like Ethereum make all transactions public, which is a non-starter for financial institutions dealing with sensitive data. Dusk's infrastructure allows for "auditable privacy," where transactions can be verified without revealing details, making it ideal for GDPR-compliant operations in the EU. The network's consensus mechanism combines elements of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) with ZKPs, ensuring security, programmability, and efficiency.
The $DUSK token plays a multifaceted role: it's used for staking to secure the network, paying transaction fees, governance decisions, and even as collateral in DeFi applications. With a total supply capped at 1 billion and about 500 million in circulation as of early 2026, $DUSK's economics are designed for long-term value accrual as network usage grows.