Privacy-focused Ethereum Layer 2 Aztec Network’s Ignition Chain flipped the switch on Wednesday, becoming the first fully decentralized Layer 2 protocol on the mainnet.
“Aztec has just shipped Ignition Chain, the first fully decentralized L2 on Ethereum. This launches the decentralized consensus layer that powers the Aztec Network,” Aztec announced on X.
The event occurred when the validator’s queue reached 500, a key checkpoint that indicates it is ready to secure the network and start block production.
Ignition Chain is the engine that powers Aztec’s goal of being a fully decentralized “private world computer”, allowing developers to create DeFi applications while maintaining complete secrecy.
It combines zero-knowledge proofs with the strong security of Ethereum, enabling scalable and truly private blockchain transactions. Therefore, users get the speed and cost savings of L2, plus the privacy missing from many decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Anyone can become a validator or sequencer by staking AZTEC tokens to earn rewards and early birds get a bonus to drive decentralization. The AZTEC token auction is scheduled for December 2, opening the doors for greater community participation.
The debut means that decentralized, privacy-focused L2 networks are not just experimental projects, but are on the verge of becoming vital infrastructure that will shape the future of blockchain.
Why 500 validators?
Ethereum consensus relies on distributed trust, meaning that many independent validators confirm transactions. But if too many validators try to join all at once, the stability of the network risks being affected. Then new validators queue and enter in stages.
Reaching 500 validators means Aztec Ignition Chain has reached critical mass: a strong, resilient base of participants ready to defend the network. More validators mean better decentralization, lower risk of a bad actor taking control, and a network secure enough to fully launch on Ethereum.
