Cross Chain Bridge · Review
InactiveAztec Connect Review 2026: Deprecated Privacy Bridge
Aztec Connect was a privacy bridge linking Ethereum apps with Aztec’s zk-rollup. It has been deprecated, and a report later described a $2.1 million exploit, so it is not suitable for new deposits.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
—/10
Not rated
Our verdict on Aztec Connect
Aztec Connect was built for users who wanted to interact with Ethereum applications through a privacy-focused rollup, and its use of zero-knowledge proofs was central to that design. But it is deprecated, and a report says a proof-verification flaw led to a multimillion-dollar exploit in 2026. Its present fund status, fees, and audit status are not established. Aztec Connect is therefore best understood as a discontinued project, not a bridge to use today.
Score breakdown
How Aztec Connect scores
- Security
- n/a
- Ease of use
- n/a
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- n/a
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is Aztec Connect?
Aztec Connect was a privacy-focused bridge and SDK that connected Ethereum applications with Aztec’s zk-rollup. It was intended for users seeking more private interactions with Ethereum dapps, including DeFi applications.
Aztec Connect was deprecated in March 2023, according to one report, and is not a current service for new users. Another report says a proof-verification flaw was exploited in June 2026, draining more than $2.1 million. Its current user-fund status, fees, and audit status are not established.
How Aztec Connect works
Aztec Connect was a privacy bridge between Ethereum applications and Aztec’s zk-rollup. It used zero-knowledge proofs, which can demonstrate that a transaction follows protocol rules without publishing all of its private details. One description also identifies it as an SDK for connecting Ethereum dapps to the rollup.
The service is deprecated and should not be treated as an active bridge. A report says a flaw in proof verification was exploited in 2026, resulting in a loss of more than $2.1 million. Public sources do not establish the exploit’s full scope or the status of any user funds.
3 features
Key features
01
Ethereum app access
Aztec Connect linked Ethereum applications with Aztec’s rollup, allowing users to interact with DeFi through a privacy-focused bridge.
02
Zero-knowledge proofs
The service used a zk-rollup design. Zero-knowledge proofs can verify that transactions follow rules without revealing all underlying information.
03
Developer SDK
Aztec Connect was described as an SDK, giving developers a way to connect applications to its rollup.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Connected Ethereum applications with a privacy-focused rollup.
- Used zero-knowledge proofs as part of its transaction design.
- Offered an SDK for developers integrating applications with the rollup.
Watch out for
- Aztec Connect was deprecated, so it is not a current option for new users.
- A report says an attacker exploited a proof-verification flaw and drained more than $2.1 million in 2026.
- Public sources do not explain the current status of user funds or provide a withdrawal path.
- Fees, audit status, and detailed operating information are not established.
Aztec Connect fees
Aztec Connect’s fees are not established. The service has been deprecated, and no current fee schedule or interface for checking charges is established.
Is Aztec Connect safe?
Aztec Connect is deprecated. A report says an attacker exploited a flaw in its proof-verification logic in June 2026 and drained more than $2.1 million. The full incident details and status of user funds are not established.
Aztec Connect’s audit status is not established, and no current operating or withdrawal process is confirmed. Do not assume the newer Aztec network’s features, security arrangements, or status apply to this legacy service.
4 steps
How to get started with Aztec Connect
- 1
Confirm that you are researching the discontinued Aztec Connect service, not the newer Aztec network.
- 2
Do not make new deposits or assume the legacy bridge is available.
- 3
If you used Aztec Connect before, verify any remaining balance through an official channel before taking action.
- 4
Treat reports about the exploit and the status of funds cautiously; a current recovery or withdrawal process is not established.
Who Aztec Connect is for
Aztec Connect may be relevant to people researching the history of privacy tools on Ethereum or trying to understand a past interaction with the service. It is not appropriate for new users seeking an active bridge or a place to deposit funds.
Aztec Connect FAQs
What was Aztec Connect?
Aztec Connect was a privacy-focused bridge and SDK that connected Ethereum applications with Aztec’s rollup. It let users interact with DeFi applications while keeping some transaction details private.
Is Aztec Connect still active?
No. Aztec Connect was deprecated in March 2023, according to one report. The current Aztec project and its newer network should not be confused with the discontinued Connect service.
Was Aztec Connect hacked?
A report says an attacker exploited a flaw in Aztec Connect’s proof-verification logic and drained more than $2.1 million in June 2026. The status of any remaining funds is not established here.
What were Aztec Connect’s fees and audit status?
Aztec Connect’s fees and audit status are not established. It is deprecated, so prospective users should not treat it as a functioning service or deposit funds into it.
Compare
Aztec Connect alternatives
Across is an intent-based cross-chain bridge and swap protocol for moving tokens between Ethereum, rollups and other chains, with an API for apps.
NEAR Intents is a cross-chain swap engine where market makers compete on price, offered to users through the near.com multichain account.
Symbiosis is a cross-chain swap and bridge protocol routing trades across 50+ networks, including Bitcoin, Solana and TON, for DeFi users and developers.
Hyperlane is a permissionless interoperability protocol and bridge for sending tokens and data across 150+ chains, aimed at builders and bridge users.
Stargate V2 is a LayerZero-powered cross-chain bridge for moving USDC, USDT, ETH, BTC and OFTs across many chains, aimed at DeFi users and liquidity providers.
Meson is a cross-chain swap protocol for moving stablecoins and major assets between 40+ blockchains using HTLCs and pre-deposited liquidity.
Same category
More Cross Chain Bridges
Axelar is a proof-of-stake network that connects blockchains for token transfers and messaging, aimed at developers, token issuers and institutions.
Wormhole is a cross-chain messaging and bridge protocol linking over 40 blockchains, with the W governance token, for DeFi users and multichain developers.
Rhino.fi, formerly DeversiFi, is a cross-chain bridge and stablecoin settlement platform for users and fintechs across 30+ blockchains.
Stargate V1 is a LayerZero-based cross-chain bridge that moves native assets between chains through unified liquidity pools, for DeFi users and dApps.
Maya Protocol is a THORChain fork that lets users swap native assets across chains such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Zcash, without wrapping or KYC.
Mayan is a cross-chain swap and bridging protocol with an SDK, using intent-based routing, for users and wallets moving assets between chains.
Same chain
More on Ethereum
Lido is a liquid staking protocol where users stake ETH and receive stETH, a reward-earning token usable across DeFi, governed by LDO holders.
Aave V3 is a non-custodial DeFi lending protocol on 21 chains where users earn interest on deposits or borrow against collateral.
Uniswap V4 is the latest Uniswap DEX version with hooks and concentrated liquidity, running on 22 chains for self-custody token swaps and liquidity provision.
Uniswap V3 is a non-custodial decentralized exchange protocol for token swaps and concentrated liquidity provision across 40+ chains.
DeFi Saver is a non-custodial tool for managing and automating leveraged lending positions across major DeFi protocols on Ethereum and layer-2 networks.
OKX is a major centralized crypto exchange for spot and derivatives trading, earn products and a Web3 wallet, with its own OKB token.
How we checked
Sources
Last updated . Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.