Toronto — Over 20 different blockchain networks have come together to form the DeCC Alliance, a coalition aimed at spreading awareness of privacy-focused technologies that enable data protection and confidential computing.
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The alliance intends to educate the public about Decentralized Confidential Computing (DeCC), a growing category within Web3 technology. This initiative differentiates projects broadly classified as “privacy coins” or “privacy chains” from those enabling decentralized computations, such as smart contracts or off-chain AI workers, without exposing user data.
Alliance Members and Goals
The coalition includes a wide array of members such as Acurast, Aleo, Arcium Automata, Fairblock, Fhenix, iExec, Inco, Integritee, Intmax, Marlin, Mind Network, Oasis, Partisia, Phala, Secret Network, Swisstronik, TEN, Ternoa, and Zama. These members are united by a common goal: to highlight the capabilities of Decentralized Confidential Computing and to establish the term DeCC as the defining acronym for this category.
Data protection and the confidential execution of smart contracts have evolved far beyond the traditional “privacy coins” or “privacy chains.” There is a clear distinction needed between projects focusing on transactional privacy and those offering confidential and encrypted computing.
DeCC projects provide the ability to create smart contracts with encrypted data, perform both on-chain and off-chain calculations confidentially, and store confidential information on a blockchain, capabilities far more advanced than simply sending a token privately.
Formation and Development
In early 2024, various projects recognized the need to increase public knowledge of technologies enabling confidential computing. The initial meeting at ETH Denver has since grown into a larger coalition. After weeks of discussions, the group formalized the term DeCC through a vote on April 4, 2024.
DeCC encompasses various encryption technologies and solutions aimed at improved data protection, secure and confidential calculations, and verifiable computing. Key technologies include Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), Multi-Party Computation (MPC), and Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE).
The DeCC Alliance plans to promote awareness through “DeCC Day” at major industry events worldwide. The first such event was held at NFT.NYC, followed by Consensus in Austin. Upcoming events include ETHCC in Brussels and Futurist in Toronto, with plans to participate in Token2049 and DevCon.
The overarching goal of many DeCC projects is to make blockchains more suitable for business by ensuring the confidentiality and protection of sensitive or proprietary data. Most leading blockchain networks today are highly transparent, posing challenges for mainstream adoption.
Member Insights
Arcium: “On-chain data privacy is a complex challenge for public blockchains, hindering broader adoption. At Arcium, we aim to make DeCC both flexible and fast, delivering this essential building block at scale. We are excited to collaborate with some of the brightest minds to make this a reality.”
TEN: “For the first time in Ethereum’s history, we have practical and easy privacy solutions. The work done by DeCC projects will set a new standard for Web3 applications. The TEN team has worked tirelessly to bring this innovation to life, and we’re excited to see how it will empower developers and users alike,” said Gavin Thomas, co-founder of Obscuro Labs and contributor to TEN.
“Centralized trust is ubiquitous in today’s interconnected world, from computational resources to data storage. Large-scale data leaks have highlighted the need to evolve toward a permissionless, confidential, and decentralized cloud future. DeCC is the solution to this.”
Acurast
Aleph Zero: “One of the greatest challenges Web3 faces today is data privacy. On-chain privacy is still not widely adopted due to complex solutions. Aleph Zero is working to solve this, and we believe that DeCC is essential to the future of Web3.”
iExec: “In many current Web3 platforms, centralized control points manage critical functions. Privacy-enhancing technologies like Intel SGX used for DeCC by iExec can allow users to maintain complete ownership of their data by encrypting it.”
Oasis: “Privacy is a polarizing topic in Web3. Distinguishing user-focused data protection networks from “privacy” currencies used for asset transfers is important. Protocols like Oasis Network play a key role in balancing productive privacy with selective transparency for a safer Web3.”
Secret Network: “Ethereum changed the world with smart contracts, but most blockchain technology requires full transparency. DeCC solves this by enabling smart contracts to utilize encrypted data, unlocking new possibilities for Web3 and paving the way for mainstream adoption.”
Swisstronik: “Web3 product builders face challenges keeping up with crypto regulations. Swisstronik solves this through DeCC, providing tools that balance user privacy, regulatory compliance, and decentralization.”
Ternoa: “Ternoa is a multi-network and cross-layer protocol leveraging DeCC technologies to make blockchain more secure, private, and scalable. Our tech stack provides a decentralized yet private development environment for next-generation applications.”
The DeCC Alliance’s efforts are poised to shape the future of confidential computing and data protection within the blockchain industry, driving forward a safer and more secure digital landscape.