TL;DR
- Enhanced Privacy on Ethereum: Privacy Pools, developed by 0xbow.io, leverage zero-knowledge proofs to break transaction links while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Endorsed by Industry Leaders: Backed by Vitalik Buterin—who made an early deposit—and prominent investors, it balances anonymity with transparency.
- Built-in Compliance Features: It uses Association Sets and a ragequit function to ensure funds remain clean, aiming to avoid the regulatory issues seen in past privacy tools like Tornado Cash.
Ethereum has officially launched Privacy Pools, a groundbreaking tool designed to enhance transaction privacy while maintaining regulatory compliance. Developed by 0xbow.io, Privacy Pools allow users to conduct private transactions without associating their funds with illicit activities.
The launch comes at a time when privacy solutions in crypto are under intense scrutiny. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been a vocal supporter of Privacy Pools, even making one of the first deposits on the platform. His involvement underscores the importance of balancing privacy with transparency in blockchain transactions.
gm Ethereum ☀️
It is our great honor to announce the mainnet launch of Privacy Pools!
ETH users can now achieve on-chain privacy, while still dissociating from illicit funds
It is now up to all of us to Make Privacy Normal Again 🫡
More info in this thread 👇 pic.twitter.com/3nJO0AxoD1
— 0xbow.io (@0xbowio) March 31, 2025
How Privacy Pools Work
Privacy Pools leverage zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to break the link between sender and receiver addresses, ensuring anonymity while proving that funds are not tied to illegal sources. This is achieved through a mechanism called Association Sets, which groups transactions and screens them for connections to flagged addresses.
Unlike previous privacy solutions, Privacy Pools allow users to demonstrate that their funds are clean without sacrificing anonymity. If a deposit is later found to be linked to illicit activity, users can opt for a ragequit function, which returns the funds to their original address.
Vitalik Buterin’s Early Support
Vitalik Buterin has been a strong advocate for privacy in blockchain, and his involvement in Privacy Pools further solidifies its credibility. He was among the first to deposit 1 ETH into the system, signaling confidence in its ability to provide secure and compliant privacy solutions.
The project has also received backing from notable investors, including BanklessVC, Public Works, and Number Group, highlighting industry-wide support for Ethereum’s latest privacy innovation.
Can Privacy Pools Avoid Tornado Cash’s Fate?
Privacy tools have historically faced regulatory challenges, with Tornado Cash serving as a cautionary tale. Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2022 for allegedly facilitating money laundering, Tornado Cash was removed from the blacklist in March 2025 following a court ruling.
Privacy Pools aims to avoid similar pitfalls by incorporating Know Your Transaction (KYT) checks and screening deposits before they enter the system. These measures ensure compliance while maintaining user privacy, potentially setting a new standard for blockchain anonymity.
