Aztec launches v5 alpha to improve privacy transactions on Ethereum

Ethereum layer-two project Aztec (AZTEC) has launched its v5 alpha, enabling fully private transactions to be processed directly on users’ devices, The Block reported. The update was applied on-chain after governance approval from token holders, making end-to-end private transaction processing possible on smartphones and standard laptops. Average transaction costs fell around 50%, while block times shortened to six seconds from 14 seconds. Rollup proof verification costs also dropped about 40%, lowering average fees for private token transactions to under $0.05. Co-founder Zac Williamson said the system was designed to provide a privacy-preserving layer first for Ethereum (ETH) and, over the long term, for cryptocurrencies more broadly.