Aztec Launches Alpha Network with Private Smart Contracts, Plans Patch for Critical Vulnerability

Aztec has introduced its Alpha Network, which it claims is the first Ethereum Layer 2 solution featuring a comprehensive execution environment for private smart contracts. According to NS3.AI, the company revealed a significant vulnerability in Alpha v4 that could potentially lead to the theft of user funds. Aztec has announced that a patch addressing this issue will be included in the v5 release, scheduled for July 2026. CoinGecko data indicates that AZTEC's value increased by 5% over the past 24 hours, with the cryptocurrency trading at an approximate valuation of $200 million.