Dusk is a public, permissionless Layer-1 blockchain developed by the Dusk Foundation. The project focuses on enabling the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), such as securities, bonds, and equities, in environments that prioritize data confidentiality and regulatory alignment.
Many existing blockchains provide full transaction transparency, which supports verifiability but can create challenges when handling sensitive financial information. Dusk addresses this through the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). These cryptographic techniques allow the network to validate that transactions follow protocol rules without revealing underlying private details.
The protocol offers two complementary transaction types:
• Phoenix – privacy-focused transfers where transaction amounts and participant information remain confidential.
• Moonlight – transparent transfers used when visibility is required.
This dual model provides flexibility depending on business and compliance needs.
Dusk operates using a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, supporting network security and energy efficiency. Its modular architecture is designed to simplify integration for developers and institutions building privacy-preserving financial applications.
A central area of development is regulated RWA tokenization. Through work involving licensed market infrastructure providers, Dusk explores mechanisms for issuance, secondary trading, and settlement of tokenized securities. The protocol also demonstrates compatibility with stablecoins designed to align with evolving regulatory frameworks.
The native utility token, $DUSK, supports essential network functions, including transaction fees and staking participation for consensus security.
The technical design is detailed in the project’s whitepaper, which describes the evolution of its privacy and compliance-focused architecture.
Dusk illustrates how blockchain infrastructure can support regulated financial use cases while preserving decentralization principles and user privacy.
