Why This Latest Jump Has Me Curious and Hopeful for Long-Term Finance ?
Hi everyone, IBRINA ETH here. Over the past few days, I’ve been closely reviewing early February 2026 activity data from the Dusk Network, and one metric genuinely caught my attention a 42% week-over-week increase in selective disclosure proofs. These proofs allow users to verify transaction details using zero-knowledge techniques without exposing sensitive information. Since Dusk mainnet went live on January 7, 2026, the network has remained stable, and this rise in proof usage suggests that users are actively exploring privacy features in real situations, not just testing them in theory.
From my point of view, this increase feels meaningful because selective disclosure sits at the core of Dusk design philosophy. It allows users to confirm that rules were followed for audits, compliance checks, or validations while keeping private details protected. Tools like Phoenix support confidential transfers, while Moonlight enables transparent interactions when disclosure is required. Combined with 2-second block times and instant finality, these features make privacy practical rather than complicated, which I believe is critical for real adoption.
To explain it in very simple terms, a privacy proof is a mathematical way to say “this transaction meets the rules” without showing the underlying data. For example, you can prove ownership or eligibility without revealing balances or counterparties. The recent 42% increase from late January into early February, alongside a 38% rise in daily private transfers, shows that users are becoming more comfortable using these tools. To me, this reflects growing confidence that privacy can exist alongside regulatory expectations, including frameworks such as MiCA, rather than conflicting with them.
What also stands out is how this growth fits Dusk’s long-term approach. The project spent nearly six years building before launching mainnet, and adoption now appears to be gradual and organic rather than hype-driven. During this period, data showed that larger long-term holders increased their exposure, while some smaller holders reduced positions — a pattern often seen during consolidation phases. Technical indicators such as a neutral RSI around mid-range levels suggest balanced activity rather than overheated speculation. From my perspective, this reinforces the idea that users are evaluating fundamentals rather than reacting emotionally.
Looking further ahead, I find this trend encouraging for how financial privacy might evolve. As more businesses explore tools like Dusk Pay, planned for Q1 2026, selective disclosure could simplify audits and reporting without compromising confidentiality. Stablecoin initiatives such as EURQ by Quantoz demonstrate how users might hold and transact regulated assets privately while remaining verifiable. At the same time, validator participation increased by roughly 18% in early February, which strengthens decentralization and reduces reliance on a small set of operators.
Educationally, this data highlights an important lesson: adoption often grows through small, repeated actions. A 42% increase in proof usage may not sound dramatic at first, but when these behaviors turn into habits, they can reshape how networks are used. With real-world asset initiatives such as the NPEX collaboration involving over €300M in regulated assets, privacy proofs could become a standard requirement rather than a niche feature. I also appreciate that transaction costs have remained predictable during market fluctuations, reinforcing the idea that usability matters most when conditions are uncertain.
From a long-term perspective, Dusk appears to be building toward a financial environment where privacy is the default and transparency is applied intentionally. Upcoming milestones like the staking testnet on February 15, 2026, which introduces longer-term participation incentives, and the continued rollout of DuskEVM for privacy-aware smart contracts, add to this foundation. None of this feels rushed. Instead, it reflects careful system design meant to function reliably over many years.
Overall, this recent increase in selective disclosure usage has made me more curious than excited and I see that as a positive sign. Quiet progress, consistent behavior, and steady infrastructure improvements often matter more than short-term attention. Watching how these privacy tools are actually being used tells a deeper story about where on-chain finance could be heading.
Do you think privacy features like selective disclosure will become a standard expectation in future financial networks, or remain optional tools for specific use cases?