Common Review 2026: ZK Privacy Shielder on Arbitrum

Common is a privacy-focused DeFi suite. Its web app is a dapp that lets you break the traceability of your crypto activity without using a centralized exchange. You connect a wallet, deposit into a private shielder contract, and withdraw to a new wallet address that is not linked to the first.

The homepage pitches it as a neobank-like experience for private on-chain finance. It lists shielded yield on stablecoins, a TraceBreaker tool, and fee payment in the shielded token. A mobile app is planned and currently has a waitlist.

DefiLlama lists Common under Privacy, on Arbitrum and Aleph Zero EVM, since May 2025. TVL is about $1,672, which is very small. The homepage lists several more networks as coming soon.

Public blockchains show every balance and transaction. Common's web app adds a shielder contract. You deposit funds from a connected wallet into this contract, and later withdraw to a different address. The aim is that an outside observer cannot link the withdrawal to the original deposit.

Common says it uses zero-knowledge technology to shield balances, transactions and portfolio data. Public sources describe client-side privacy, and the app is described as non-custodial, so you keep your own keys. The product also mentions yield on shielded stablecoins, though the source of that yield is not explained.

Privacy tools like this generally work better when many users share the same pool. With low TVL, fewer deposits and withdrawals can blend together, which can make linking easier for a determined observer.

Common's homepage and FAQ do not publish a fee schedule. It does say you can pay fees in the token you are shielding rather than in a gas token. Any shielding, withdrawal or yield-related charges would need to be checked in the app before you confirm a transaction.

On-chain network fees on Arbitrum or Aleph Zero EVM still apply to the underlying transactions. Fiat on/off-ramp providers, if used, set their own pricing.

Common states that its apps were audited by Kudelski Security and zkSecurity. DefiLlama lists zero audits, and the reports are not public, so scope and findings cannot be checked here. Audits reduce but do not remove smart-contract risk, and a shielder contract holds pooled user funds.

Common describes itself as non-custodial. Privacy is also only as strong as your habits: reusing addresses or moving funds in obvious patterns can link wallets. The very low TVL means a small pool of users, which can weaken anonymity.

Privacy tools can face regulatory scrutiny in some places. Check the rules where you live. No hacks or incidents are mentioned publicly, though the project is young.

Common is for crypto users who want more on-chain privacy without moving funds through an exchange, and who are comfortable using a self-custodial wallet. It fits people on Arbitrum or Aleph Zero EVM who accept early-stage risk. It is less suited to anyone needing a large, proven privacy pool or support for many chains today.