Hot topics in the crypto space will continue to emerge in 2026, but the rise of Dusk, a Layer 1 project, has a particularly unique trajectory. It does not rely on sensational marketing tactics; instead, it steadily establishes itself in the privacy finance sector through solid community building and strategic partnerships.

The most direct manifestation is in application scenarios. A Dutch investor can directly trade tokenized stocks on the Dusk platform, with settlement speeds surprisingly fast, and the entire trading process is fully privacy-encrypted—meaning your holdings and trading history are not exposed to others. This is not just theoretical; it is happening now. On the other hand, developers share zero-knowledge proof implementation solutions within the community, immediately receiving feedback and suggestions from developers worldwide, naturally accelerating project iteration.

Behind this vibrant ecosystem is the foundation laid by Dusk Foundation since 2018. In Amsterdam, a city rich in innovation, Dusk’s story begins quite differently from most blockchain projects. It’s not led by a lone genius founder but resembles a community gathering. Core figures Emanuele Francioni and Jelle Pol steer the project, but from the very beginning, they prioritized open-source spirit and community participation—this choice has shaped Dusk’s entire DNA.

From quiet operations to deep collaborations with leading institutions like Chainlink and NPEX, Dusk has progressed from a niche community to the mainstream stage. In this process, the privacy finance track has become increasingly clear. As regulatory compliance gradually improves, the demand for privacy protection becomes even more prominent—because compliance does not equal transparency, and financial privacy rights have become a new competitive dimension. Dusk happens to be positioned at this critical juncture.

The current question is: as more assets are tokenized and cross-chain interactions become routine, who can ensure efficiency while maintaining privacy? Dusk’s answer is to leverage cryptographic tools like zero-knowledge proofs, making privacy and transparency no longer mutually exclusive. This technological choice, combined with a community-driven culture, positions Dusk favorably in the future landscape of privacy finance.