Penumbra

Penumbra is a privacy-by-default, cross-chain proof-of-stake Layer-1 designed as a shielded hub for the interchain. It combines confidential transfers with an integrated decentralized exchange, allowing users to move and use assets from other ecosystems via IBC inside a multi-asset shielded pool-so balances, amounts, and counterparties are not publicly exposed by default.

Penumbra’s architecture focuses on making privacy a native property of core financial actions-transferring, swapping, staking, and governance-so both users and applications can interact across chains while keeping sensitive financial data encrypted on-chain.

Key features of Penumbra include:

• Interchain Shielded Pool (IBC Privacy): A chain-level, multi-asset shielded pool that supports private activity for IBC-compatible assets bridged into Penumbra.

• Private DEX: An integrated on-chain DEX built for privacy-preserving trading, where swaps execute without revealing typical transaction details by default.

• Shielded Staking: Staking designed to protect delegator privacy while maintaining validator accountability, enabling reward earning without fully transparent positions by default.

• Private Governance: Governance mechanisms intended to support participation without exposing voter activity in the same way as fully transparent systems.

• Composability for Private DeFi: A foundation for building DeFi experiences where transfers and exchange happen within a privacy-preserving environment, while still supporting cross-chain assets through IBC.