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Circle Teams Up with Inco Network to Introduce a Enhanced Privacy Version of the ERC-20 Token Standard

Circle and Inco Network Collaboration

Circle, the innovative company behind the USDC stablecoin, has announced an exciting partnership with Inco Network to create a new privacy-focused version of the popular ERC-20 token standard. This initiative aims to enhance user privacy while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The new standard, referred to as the “Confidential ERC-20 Framework,” was detailed in a whitepaper that was released on October 28, 2024.

Understanding the Confidential ERC-20 Framework

The Confidential ERC-20 Framework is a significant advancement in the realm of blockchain technology. Unlike traditional ERC-20 tokens, which typically expose on-chain transaction details and account balances, this framework utilizes a wrapped version of tokens to conceal this sensitive information. While it maintains wallet address visibility—setting it apart from fully anonymous transactions—it provides a layer of confidentiality that protects transaction values and balances.

Circle describes this innovative concept as “on-chain confidentiality.” This approach is designed to address privacy concerns while mitigating risks associated with complete anonymity, which can sometimes facilitate illegal activities. According to Circle, this balance of partial privacy is advantageous for various financial applications, including payroll, vendor payments, and peer-to-peer transfers.

Delegated Viewing and Compliance Features

To ensure that oversight remains feasible, the Confidential ERC-20 standard incorporates a feature known as “delegated viewing.” This allows specific entities, such as regulators and auditors, to access transaction details when authorized, thus maintaining a level of oversight while preserving user privacy. Additionally, the framework supports programmatic enforcement of compliance measures, including Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, allowing issuers to retain control over asset transactions.

Crucially, the Confidential ERC-20 Framework preserves the composability of existing ERC-20 tokens, ensuring that assets created under this new standard can still interact smoothly within Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible ecosystems. The privacy features are built upon Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), a cutting-edge technology that enables data to be secured without decryption, which is central to enhancing transaction confidentiality.

Criticism from Privacy Advocates

Despite its innovative approach, the Confidential ERC-20 Framework has not been without criticism. Some privacy advocates express concerns regarding the potential limitations of this privacy initiative. One notable critic, known as Chaserxy, argued that the privacy features may be superficial, suggesting that authorities could still access sensitive transaction data through potential backdoors in the system. This concern raises questions about the true extent of privacy that this framework can offer to its users.

Partnership with Hong Kong Telecom

In a separate but noteworthy development, Circle is collaborating with Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) to explore blockchain-based solutions for customer loyalty programs. This partnership combines Circle’s Web3 Services expertise with HKT’s vast merchant and customer engagement capabilities, potentially creating innovative frameworks for customer interaction.

Launch of the Compliance Engine

Circle recently unveiled its Compliance Engine, a platform aimed at simplifying the regulatory compliance process for businesses utilizing its programmable wallet technology. The initial beta launch emphasizes a feature called “Transaction Screening,” which allows real-time detection of potentially suspicious activities. Businesses can tailor rules based on various risk profiles and receive immediate reporting through a user-friendly dashboard or webhooks.

The Role of Stablecoins in Global Finance

Beyond these innovations, Circle emphasizes the importance of stablecoins in promoting global financial inclusion and facilitating humanitarian aid. According to Circle’s Impact Report 2024, traditional financial systems often fail to serve billions of unbanked individuals, hindering effective aid distribution due to factors such as high costs and accessibility issues. The report posits that the rise of stablecoins and other blockchain solutions could create a financial landscape where portable banking solutions are readily available in the hands of billions of people worldwide.

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