Oasis Network excels at providing a holistic, privacy-by-design environment because it's a Layer 1 blockchain with a unique ParaTime architecture separating consensus from execution. This native integration allows for confidential smart contracts (e.g., using the Confidential EVM) with data privacy baked into the protocol layer, enabling use cases like private DeFi and confidential data marketplaces. For example, its Sapphire ParaTime offers a confidential EVM environment with a throughput of up to 1,000 TPS, a significant advantage for applications requiring on-chain privacy guarantees.
LABS
Comparisons
Oasis Network (Privacy-First L1) vs. Ethereum with Aztec (Privacy L2)
A technical analysis comparing a modular L1 with confidential compute (TEEs/zk) against augmenting Ethereum's liquidity with a dedicated ZK privacy rollup. We evaluate data sovereignty, EVM compatibility, TVL, and architectural trade-offs for protocol architects and engineering leaders.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Privacy Layer Dilemma
Choosing between a dedicated privacy-first blockchain and a modular privacy layer reveals a fundamental architectural trade-off.
Ethereum with Aztec takes a different approach by leveraging Ethereum's security as a privacy-focused Layer 2 rollup. This strategy results in inheriting Ethereum's battle-tested security and vast ecosystem (over $50B TVL) but introduces a trade-off: privacy is an opt-in feature for dApps, and the technology stack is newer and more complex to integrate. Aztec's zk.money demonstrated private transactions, but its full zkRollup with private smart contracts (Aztec 3) is a more recent development compared to Oasis's established mainnet.
The key trade-off: If your priority is native privacy integration, higher throughput for confidential compute, and a dedicated ecosystem, choose Oasis Network. If you prioritize maximum security inheritance, deep liquidity from Ethereum's DeFi, and are building a hybrid public/private application, choose Ethereum with Aztec.
tldr-summary
Oasis Network vs. Ethereum + Aztec
TL;DR: Core Differentiators
Key architectural and operational trade-offs for privacy-focused applications at a glance.
01
Oasis: Sovereign Privacy
Privacy as a first-class primitive: The Oasis Protocol uses a unique ParaTime architecture with confidential smart contracts (e.g., Sapphire) where data is encrypted during computation. This provides end-to-end privacy from transaction origin to final state, without relying on external layers. This matters for applications requiring data sovereignty, like private DeFi or confidential enterprise data marketplaces.
~1,000 TPS
Sapphire ParaTime
02
Oasis: Lower Cost & Latency
Native efficiency: As a standalone L1 with a Tendermint-based consensus, Oasis offers lower and more predictable transaction fees compared to Ethereum's base layer. Settlements are final in seconds. This matters for building high-frequency or micro-transaction privacy applications where gas costs on Ethereum L1 are prohibitive.
< $0.01
Avg. Tx Cost
03
Ethereum+Aztec: Security & Composability
Inherits Ethereum's security: Aztec is an L2 zk-rollup, meaning its state proofs are settled on Ethereum Mainnet. This provides the highest security guarantee for assets. It also enables composability with the broader Ethereum ecosystem (DeFi, NFTs). This matters for protocols where asset value is extreme and trust minimization is paramount.
$500B+
Ethereum TVL Backing
04
Ethereum+Aztec: Developer Familiarity
Leverages existing tooling: Developers can use Solidity/Vyper and familiar frameworks (Hardhat, Foundry) with Aztec's Noir language for privacy circuits. This reduces the learning curve versus adopting a new L1 stack. This matters for Ethereum-native teams who want to add privacy features without migrating their entire stack or losing access to Ethereum's liquidity.
4M+
Ethereum Devs
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Oasis Network vs. Ethereum with Aztec: Privacy Feature Comparison
Direct comparison of privacy-first Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions for confidential smart contracts.
| Metric / Feature | Oasis Network (L1) | Ethereum + Aztec (L2) |
|---|---|---|
Privacy Model | Confidential ParaTime (TEEs) | zk-SNARKs (zk.money, Aztec Connect) |
Confidential Smart Contracts | ||
Base Layer Finality | ~6 seconds | ~12 minutes (Ethereum) |
Avg. Transaction Cost (Simple Transfer) | $0.01 - $0.05 | $5 - $15 (incl. L1 fees) |
Developer Framework | Oasis SDK (Rust) | Noir (Domain-Specific Language) |
Native Token Privacy | ROSE (Optional) | AZTEC (zk.money) |
EVM Compatibility | Sapphire ParaTime (Confidential EVM) | Full EVM Compatibility (via bridge) |
pros-cons-a
PRIVACY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPARISON
Oasis Network vs. Ethereum + Aztec
Key architectural trade-offs and performance metrics for privacy-first applications. Choose between a dedicated L1 and a modular L2 approach.
01
Oasis Network: Sovereign Privacy
Native Confidential Compute: Uses Intel SGX-based TEEs (Trusted Execution Environments) for confidential smart contracts (Confidential ParaTimes). Data remains encrypted during execution, enabling private DeFi (e.g., YuzuSwap) and data tokenization.
Lower Latency & Cost: As a standalone L1 with 1,000+ TPS and ~$0.01 average transaction fees, it avoids Ethereum's base layer congestion and gas volatility, crucial for high-frequency private transactions.
1,000+ TPS
Network Throughput
~$0.01
Avg. Tx Cost
02
Oasis Network: Trade-offs
Smaller Ecosystem & Liquidity: With ~$60M TVL (vs. Ethereum's ~$50B+), accessing deep liquidity requires bridges, adding complexity and risk.
Validator Centralization Risk: Relies on a smaller, permissioned set of TEE-validators for confidential computations, presenting a different trust model than Ethereum's larger, decentralized validator set.
~$60M
Total Value Locked (TVL)
03
Ethereum + Aztec: Ecosystem Depth
Access to Ethereum Liquidity: Aztec, as a ZK-Rollup, settles on Ethereum Mainnet, providing native access to its ~$50B+ DeFi TVL, major DEXs (Uniswap, Aave), and established tooling (Ethers.js, Hardhat).
Proven Security Model: Inherits Ethereum's battle-tested security (~$90B at stake) and decentralization (900k+ validators). Privacy is a layer-2 feature, not a base-layer compromise.
~$50B+
Ethereum DeFi TVL
04
Ethereum + Aztec: Trade-offs
Higher Cost & Latency: Privacy transactions incur L2 proof generation costs plus Ethereum L1 settlement fees, often totaling $5-$20+. Finality is slower due to rollup batch intervals.
Limited Smart Contract Privacy: Aztec's zk.money primarily focuses on private payments/transfers. General confidential smart contract support (like Oasis's ParaTimes) is more complex and less mature on Aztec.
$5-$20+
Typical Private Tx Cost
05
Choose Oasis Network For...
- New Privacy-First DApps: Building applications where every transaction must be private by default, like confidential DAOs or enterprise data marketplaces.
- Cost-Sensitive High-Throughput: Applications requiring thousands of low-cost private transactions per second (e.g., private gaming or microtransactions).
- Willingness to Bootstrap: Projects comfortable cultivating a new ecosystem for maximal design freedom.
06
Choose Ethereum + Aztec For...
- Existing Ethereum Projects: Teams needing to add optional privacy features (e.g., shielded voting, private payroll) to an existing Solidity codebase.
- Maximum Liquidity Access: DeFi protocols where the primary goal is to privately interact with Ethereum's deep liquidity pools and major protocols.
- Security-Conscious Teams: Organizations that prioritize inheriting Ethereum's consensus security above all other trade-offs.
pros-cons-b
Oasis Network vs. Ethereum + Aztec
Ethereum with Aztec: Pros and Cons
A data-driven comparison of two leading privacy architectures. Oasis offers a privacy-first L1, while Aztec provides programmable privacy as an L2 on Ethereum.
01
Oasis Pro: Sovereign Privacy L1
Full-stack privacy control: Oasis's ParaTime architecture and Confidential ParaTimes (using Intel SGX) provide privacy at the consensus layer. This enables native confidential smart contracts (e.g., for DeFi, data tokenization) without relying on another chain's security. This matters for projects requiring data sovereignty and predictable, L1-grade privacy guarantees.
02
Oasis Pro: Lower Cost & Higher Throughput
Optimized for private execution: As a standalone L1, Oasis avoids Ethereum mainnet gas fees. Transactions in a Confidential ParaTime can cost <$0.01 with latencies under 6 seconds. This matters for building scalable, cost-sensitive private applications like confidential machine learning or enterprise data markets where high volume is required.
03
Ethereum+Aztec Pro: Inherited Security & Liquidity
Leverages Ethereum's base layer: Aztec, as a ZK-Rollup, settles proofs on Ethereum L1, inheriting its $50B+ security and $40B+ DeFi TVL. This matters for protocols like zk.money or private DeFi applications that require maximum capital security and seamless composability with mainnet assets like ETH and DAI.
04
Ethereum+Aztec Pro: Advanced Programmable Privacy
State-of-the-art ZK cryptography: Aztec uses PLONK and UltraPLONK proof systems to enable private smart contract functions and private note management. This enables complex logic like confidential DeFi (private swaps, lending) that is mathematically provable. This matters for developers needing the strongest cryptographic privacy guarantees on a proven L1.
05
Oasis Con: Smaller Ecosystem & Tooling
Emerging developer landscape: While growing, Oasis has a smaller ecosystem (~100 dApps) compared to Ethereum's millions. Key tools like Oasis Sapphire (confidential EVM) are newer. This matters for teams that prioritize extensive documentation, mature SDKs (like Ethers.js), and a large pool of Solidity developers.
06
Ethereum+Aztec Con: Higher Cost & Latency
Pays for Ethereum security: Every private transaction pays for L1 data availability and proof verification. Aztec's Noir language is powerful but can lead to expensive proving costs. This matters for high-frequency applications or micro-transactions where sub-dollar fees and sub-10-second finality are critical.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
Decision Framework: When to Choose Which
Oasis Network for DeFi
Verdict: Choose for novel, privacy-native applications. Strengths: Confidential EVM (CEM) enables private smart contracts and confidential state. This is ideal for private DEX order books, undercollateralized lending (e.g., confidential credit scores), and institutional DeFi where transaction details must be shielded. The native ROSE token pays for gas, and the ParaTime architecture isolates execution for predictable performance. Weaknesses: Smaller ecosystem and TVL (~$100M) compared to Ethereum's DeFi giants. Requires learning new tooling like the Oasis Sapphire ParaTime.
Ethereum + Aztec for DeFi
Verdict: Choose to add privacy to existing Ethereum assets and liquidity. Strengths: Leverages Ethereum's massive security and $50B+ TVL. Aztec's zk.money and upcoming zk.mesh enable private transfers and shielded DeFi interactions for mainstream assets like ETH, DAI, and wBTC. Developers can use Noir, a Rust-like language, to build private smart contracts (zkApps) that settle on Ethereum L1. Weaknesses: Currently higher fees than Oasis mainnet, as privacy proofs are posted to Ethereum. Functionality is more rollup-centric, focusing on private notes and joinsplits.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Strategic Recommendation
Choosing between a native privacy L1 and a privacy-focused L2 is a strategic decision that hinges on your application's core requirements and risk tolerance.
Oasis Network excels at providing a holistic, privacy-by-design environment because it's a purpose-built Layer 1. Its Confidential ParaTime architecture uses secure enclaves (TEEs) to isolate and encrypt smart contract execution, offering strong confidentiality for data and transactions. For example, its ~1,000 TPS and sub-$0.01 fees in the confidential environment provide a scalable, low-cost platform for applications like Nebula Genomics (genomic data) or MetaMirror (private DeFi) that require privacy as a first-class citizen.
Ethereum with Aztec takes a different approach by layering privacy onto the established security and liquidity of Ethereum. This results in a powerful trade-off: you inherit Ethereum's ~$50B+ DeFi TVL and robust decentralization but must accept the constraints of its L2 architecture. Aztec's zk-SNARK-based zk.money (now Aztec Connect) demonstrated private transactions, but the ecosystem is currently more focused on private payments and bridges, with a more complex path for general confidential smart contracts compared to a native L1.
The key trade-off: If your priority is building a novel application where privacy is the non-negotiable core feature and you need flexible, confidential smart contracts, choose Oasis Network. Its integrated stack reduces dependency risk. If you prioritize leveraging Ethereum's immense security, liquidity, and developer ecosystem for a product where privacy is an added feature (e.g., private voting or shielded transfers), choose Ethereum with Aztec. You trade some architectural simplicity for the battle-tested security of the Ethereum base layer.
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