Protocols

Horizen's sidechain architecture is a cross-chain scaling framework built on the Zendoo protocol and zero knowledge proofs. It is designed to enable multiple sidechains to run in parallel with customizable functionality while preserving the security of the mainchain. The core idea is to transform sidechain state into verifiable cryptographic proofs, which are then validated by the mainchain. This allows cross-chain interaction to occur without relying on centralized intermediaries. Within this system, Zendoo serves as the key connection layer between sidechains and the mainchain, enabling verification through cryptographic proofs rather than trust based mechanisms.

The Horizen node system is a layered network structure that extends beyond traditional miner-based consensus by introducing Secure Nodes and Super Nodes.

Horizen (ZEN) is a blockchain network built around zero knowledge proofs and a modular architecture enabled by a mainchain and sidechains. It is designed to support privacy protection, cross chain validation, and customizable blockchain applications. As blockchain technology evolves from simple value transfer to programmable infrastructure, Horizen is increasingly used in scenarios such as privacy transactions, specialized chain deployment, and multi chain validation layers.

Horizen (ZEN) and Zcash (ZEC) are blockchain networks built on zero-knowledge proof technology, representing distinct development paths: modular blockchain architecture and privacy coin ecosystems. As privacy technology has emerged as a critical area of blockchain research, the two have taken divergent approaches—Zcash prioritizes transaction privacy and on-chain data protection, whereas Horizen expands privacy technology to cross-chain verification and system architecture, enabling multi-chain scalability and modular design.

EIP-1559 represents the most significant improvement to the economic mechanism in Ethereum's history, restructuring transaction fees from a singular "first-price auction" into a dual-track model consisting of a Base Fee and a Priority Fee. The core logic of this proposal lies in automatically adjusting the Base Fee based on the elasticity of demand for block space and permanently burning it from the total supply.

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform whose core value lies in pioneering "Turing-complete" smart contract functionality, enabling developers to build diverse decentralized applications (dApps) upon its global settlement layer. As the native asset of the ecosystem, ETH serves not only as the Gas fuel for paying network computational resources but also as the primary collateral for maintaining the security of the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus.

Dogecoin (DOGE) is an open-source, peer-to-peer digital currency based on the Scrypt algorithm, originally born as a technical fork of Litecoin. Its core operation relies on the Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism and utilizes Auxiliary Proof-of-Work (AuxPoW) to perform merged mining with Litecoin, sharing network hash security without increasing additional energy consumption.

Web3 and Web4 represent a logical progression in the evolution of the internet, transitioning from a "transformation of production relations" to a "leap in productivity." Web3, anchored by blockchain and cryptography, focuses on solving issues of "Ownership" and decentralized trust, returning power from centralized platforms to individuals. In contrast, Web4 is defined as the "Symbiotic Web," with its core revolving around "Agentic Power."

Stable is an application-specific Layer 1 blockchain co-launched by Bitfinex and Tether. Its core operational mechanism involves the deep integration of USDT into the network’s base layer, serving directly as the native Gas token for transaction fees. By introducing USDT0 assets based on the LayerZero OFT standard, the protocol enables seamless cross-chain transfers across multiple major public chains and utilizes its proprietary StableBFT consensus algorithm to provide sub-second transaction finality. Furthermore, Stable is a pioneer in natively supporting the EIP-7702 protocol at the L1 level, granting traditional Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) programmable smart contract capabilities and establishing a high-performance, ultra-low-friction stablecoin payment foundation.