---
description: Smart Contracts Overview
---

# Overview

**Aztecas leverages cutting-edge privacy-preserving smart contract technology built on Aztec's Noir language, delivering unparalleled security and privacy for DeFi operations.**

### 🛡️ **Noir Language Security Advantages**

#### **Zero-Knowledge Privacy by Design**

Aztecas smart contracts are written in **Noir**, Aztec's domain-specific language designed specifically for zero-knowledge proofs. This provides fundamental security and privacy advantages:

* **Private State Management**: All contract state is private by default, protecting user balances and transaction details
* **Confidential Computations**: Trading logic executes in zero-knowledge, hiding sensitive financial data
* **Selective Disclosure**: Users control what information is revealed and to whom

#### **Cryptographic Security**

```noir
// Example: Private balance verification without revealing amounts
fn verify_sufficient_balance(
    user_balance: Field,
    required_amount: Field,
    proof: Proof
) -> bool {
    // Zero-knowledge proof that user_balance >= required_amount
    // without revealing actual values
}
```

### ⚡ **Technical Advantages**

#### **1. Enhanced Security Model**

* **Formal Verification**: Noir enables mathematical proofs of contract correctness
* **Compile-time Safety**: Strong type system prevents common smart contract vulnerabilities
* **Audit-Friendly**: Clear, readable syntax reduces security review complexity

#### **2. Scalability & Performance**

* **Reduced On-chain Data**: Only proofs are stored on-chain, not full transaction details
* **Batched Operations**: Multiple trades can be proved and verified together
* **Lower Gas Costs**: Efficient proof verification reduces transaction fees

#### **3. Regulatory Compliance**

* **Selective Auditing**: Compliance teams can verify specific transactions without full exposure
* **Privacy-Preserving KYC**: Identity verification without compromising transaction privacy
* **Jurisdictional Flexibility**: Adaptable to varying privacy regulations

### 🏗️ **Architecture Benefits**

#### **Hybrid Privacy Model**

```mermaid
graph TB
    A[Public Interface] --> B[Private State Layer]
    B --> C[Zero-Knowledge Proofs]
    C --> D[Public Verification]
    
    E[Price Feeds] --> A
    F[Liquidity Pools] --> B
    G[User Balances] --> B
```

#### **Key Components**

* **Private DEX Core**: All trading logic operates in zero-knowledge
* **Public Price Oracles**: Chainlink integration for transparent price discovery
* **Hybrid Liquidity**: Public pool reserves with private individual positions
* **Cross-chain Bridges**: Secure asset transfers between networks

### 📊 **Security Guarantees**

| Security Feature        | Traditional Contracts | Aztecas (Noir)       |
| ----------------------- | --------------------- | -------------------- |
| **Balance Privacy**     | ❌ Public              | ✅ Private            |
| **Trade History**       | ❌ Fully Visible       | ✅ Zero-Knowledge     |
| **MEV Protection**      | ❌ Vulnerable          | ✅ Natural Protection |
| **Formal Verification** | ⚠️ Optional           | ✅ Built-in           |
| **Quantum Resistance**  | ❌ Vulnerable          | ✅ Future-Proof       |

### 🔮 **Future-Proof Technology**

* **Quantum-Resistant Cryptography**: Built-in protection against future threats
* **Upgradeable Privacy**: New privacy features can be added without breaking changes
* **Interoperability**: Seamless integration with other privacy-preserving protocols

***

_Aztecas represents the next evolution of DeFi - where privacy, security, and transparency coexist in perfect harmony._
