Privacy in crypto is making a comeback with new Ethereum proposals and frameworks. The pERC-20 token standard aims to keep balances and transactions private while allowing public verification of total supply and implementing compliance blacklists. Meanwhile, Starknet launched STRK20, a privacy-focused framework extending confidentiality to DeFi applications like lending and staking. StarkWare co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson highlights UX as the main challenge, noting that bad user experience limits anonymity. These developments mark a shift from niche privacy coins to mainstream infrastructure, with discussions now centered on standards and institutional use cases.

Key facts

• pERC-20 proposal would keep token balances and transfers private using encrypted notes.
• Total supply remains public; issuers can freeze tokens via cryptographic blacklist.
• Starknet's STRK20 extends privacy to DeFi: lending, staking, swaps.
• Eli Ben-Sasson: UX is the biggest privacy challenge, not cryptography.

KeyAudit data perspective