# Privacy Matters, 25 By [Automata Network](https://paragraph.com/@automata-network) · 2024-01-04 --- gm, readers. At [Automata](https://www.ata.network/) we work on protecting privacy and fairness. And in this newsletter, we find more reasons to talk about it. Explore headlines and catch up on the biggest crypto news in Web3 privacy. **This week:** * Parallel Network [launches](https://twitter.com/ParallelFi/status/1740584281217651036) as the first omnichain Layer 2 blockchain built on top of Arbitrum Orbit * Blast [surpasses](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/12/28/blast-hits-11b-in-deposits-more-than-a-month-before-its-due-to-go-live/) $1.1 billion in deposits over a month ahead of its scheduled launch * IOTA's ShimmerEVM [bolsters](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/12/27/iotas-shimmerevm-bolsters-onboards-cross-chain-capabilities-with-layerzeros-technology/) cross-chain capabilities with LayerZero's technology * Particle Network [introduces](https://twitter.com/particlentwrk/status/1738050121731101068?s=46) an Account Abstraction Protocol for Bitcoin * Orbit Chain’s bridge [suffers](https://www.theblock.co/post/269809/orbit-chains-bridge-reportedly-hacked-for-81-5-million?utm_source=telegram1&utm_medium=social) a reported $81.5 million hack **Op-Ed:** * Vitalik Buterin [updates](https://twitter.com/vitalikbuterin/status/1741190491578810445) Ethereum roadmap for 2024 with minor changes * OKX to [delist](https://www.theblock.co/post/269613/okx-privacy-coins-delisting?utm_source=telegram1&utm_medium=social) multiple altcoins, including privacy coins Monero, Zcash, and Dash * Steamboat Willie NFT [tops](https://cointelegraph.com/news/nft-steamboat-willie-old-mickey-mouse-version-copyright-expires-top-opensea) OpenSea charts as it enters public domain * Etherscan [acquires](https://theblock.co/post/270096/etherscan-acquires-solscan-expand-blockchain-data-services) Solscan to expand blockchain data services **Zooming into ZK:** * zkSync [outpaces](https://www.theblock.co/post/269517/zksync-outpaces-ethereum-in-monthly-transaction-volume-propelled-by-inscription-activity?utm_source=telegram1&utm_medium=social) Ethereum in monthly transaction volume, propelled by inscription activity * Mina [plans](https://blog.o1labs.org/heres-to-a-crazy-2024-for-mina-313f98dad8e4) to introduce fully ZK-enabled smart contracts on the mainnet in 2024 [Subscribe](null) **We dive into the details, so you don’t have to:** Particle Network, self-described as the "intent-centric modular access layer of Web3," has introduced BTC Connect, the first account abstraction protocol for Bitcoin. As an EVM-compatible protocol, BTC Connect leverages ERC-4337 design and Layer-2 EVM-compatible chains to offer features like Smart Accounts, Paymaster, Bundler, and a Bitcoin-specific Modal. The protocol aims to simplify building applications on Bitcoin by integrating existing BTC wallets with Layer-2 smart contracts. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/f8544484cbc3bef3f051ed32f2bf50b32a23ee76767ba4c71e5f479b5048ec3b.png)](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk) [Particle Network](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk) [@ParticleNtwrk](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk/status/1738050121731101068) Announcing the first account abstraction protocol for [#Bitcoin](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin)! ![🎩](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f3a9.png)![✨](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/2728.png) We are thrilled to unveil BTC Connect, an EVM-compatible AA protocol for developers building in the Bitcoin and Ordinal ecosystem. We've also assembled a world-class set of partners to help us in this mission. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/367ab277bca000623097d05249751260d98e0114f5ce168961e175a0ca79f549.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 361](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk/status/1738050121731101068)[ 10:13 PM • Dec 21, 2023 ](https://twitter.com/ParticleNtwrk/status/1738050121731101068) Following the latest Berkeley upgrade, Mina, a lightweight blockchain specializing in zero-knowledge proofs, wants to introduce fully ZK-enabled smart contracts on the mainnet in 2024. Mina's design aims to foster compatibility and collaboration with other Layer 1 chains, aiming to create a more interconnected Web3 ecosystem. Some initiatives Mina has accomplished include offering a TypeScript library which has facilitated the creation of many zkApps on its platform. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e2f5242372dee8657297a63f4284d6e65b4b9bd787584384545d5ce0804927ab.jpg)](https://twitter.com/o1_labs) [o1Labs (httpz)](https://twitter.com/o1_labs) [@o1\_labs](https://twitter.com/o1_labs) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/o1_labs/status/1742631362367193385) Mina's journey from a crazy idea to a breakthrough L1 blockchain is going to hit a milestone in 2024 with the upcoming Berkeley upgrade! o1Labs CEO, [@etekis](https://twitter.com/etekis), dives into this exciting development in our new blog post. So what’s all the buzz about? ![🧵](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f9f5.png) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/4e41f21c35b7691e05eca1e7c82f7858a47790594dab82f919d134f6c9464de2.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 300](https://twitter.com/o1_labs/status/1742631362367193385)[ 1:37 PM • Jan 3, 2024 ](https://twitter.com/o1_labs/status/1742631362367193385) Parallel Network has announced its upcoming launch as the first chain within Arbitrum Orbit, a platform by Arbitrum that allows developers to create application-specific blockchains. It addresses key challenges in the current Layer 2 blockchain environment, such as bridging inefficiencies, liquidity fragmentation, and multi-wallet complexities. Parallel Network's core feature is its unified multi-chain margin accounts, enabling a singular wallet for all chains. This innovation aims to streamline liquidity management across different chains into a single, user-friendly platform. The network will also feature Parallel's DeFi and NFT super app, offering services like trading, staking, and lending with advanced features for privacy and security. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/480a0f3d76b555545a48dcd015574f9be1b56974eb3b3144cc6948988618631b.jpg)](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io) [Nirvana](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io) [@nirvana\_io](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io/status/1740584281217651036) 1/ Introducing Parallel Network ![🔮](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f52e.png) Parallel is the first omni-chain L2 blockchain powered by [@arbitrum](https://twitter.com/arbitrum) that unifies liquidity from any chain into one place. One account. Instant liquidity. Across any chain. Learn more ![👇](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f447.png) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e258d34c4a1cab981c86ffdfd24e2d6987a694fe87e92dae59691344e3cfc360.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 500](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io/status/1740584281217651036)[ 10:03 PM • Dec 28, 2023 ](https://twitter.com/nirvana_io/status/1740584281217651036) Connect with Automata on both [X (Twitter)](https://ata.ws/twitter) and [Discord](https://ata.ws/discord). This newsletter is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice or interpreted as investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile assets and you should always do your own research before making any informed decisions when investing or trading. --- *Originally published on [Automata Network](https://paragraph.com/@automata-network/privacy-matters-25)*