Do NOT deposit new funds into Aztec Connect. The protocol is deprecated and the sequencer is offline. If you have existing funds, prioritize withdrawal immediately using documented emergency procedures. The Aztec team is building a new network, but Aztec Connect itself is end-of-life.
Top Risks
1
Aztec Connect was officially sunset in March 2023, with the sequencer shut down in March 2024. Any remaining TVL is in a protocol that is no longer actively maintained or secured, creating an extreme operational risk.
2
The privacy features that made Aztec Connect attractive also attracted regulatory scrutiny. The shutdown was partially motivated by the need to focus on the next-generation privacy-preserving L2, but remaining funds are in deprecated infrastructure.
3
ZK-proof verification bugs in the rollup circuit could theoretically allow invalid state transitions. While the protocol was audited, the sunset means no ongoing security monitoring or patching.
Risk Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aztec Connect safe to use?
Aztec Connect receives a C+ risk grade (42/100) from Hindenrank, where lower scores indicate lower risk. Do NOT deposit new funds into Aztec Connect. The protocol is deprecated and the sequencer is offline. If you have existing funds, prioritize withdrawal immediately using documented emergency procedures. The Aztec team is building a new network, but Aztec Connect itself is end-of-life. Aztec Connect was a privacy-preserving bridge that allowed users to interact with DeFi protocols on Ethereum while keeping their transactions private using zero-knowledge proofs. Users could access protocols like Aave and Lido while saving 80-90% on gas fees with privacy included for free. However, Aztec Connect was officially sunset in March 2023, with the sequencer (the system that processes transactions) shut down in March 2024. Any remaining funds are in deprecated smart contracts. The Aztec team has moved on to building a general-purpose privacy L2 network, with the AZTEC token launching in February 2026.
What are the main risks of using Aztec Connect?
The key risks identified for Aztec Connect are: (1) This protocol is SHUT DOWN - the transaction processing system no longer operates, meaning you cannot use it normally (2) Any funds still in Aztec Connect may be difficult to withdraw and require technical knowledge of emergency withdrawal procedures (3) As a privacy tool, it faces similar regulatory risks to Tornado Cash, which was sanctioned by the US government in 2022
What is Aztec Connect's risk score breakdown?
Aztec Connect scores 42/100 across eight risk dimensions: Mechanism Novelty: 8/15, Interaction Severity: 8/20, Oracle Surface: 3/10, Documentation Gaps: 3/10, Track Record: 15/15, Scale Exposure: 0/10, Regulatory Risk: 1/10, Vitality Risk: 4/10. The highest risk area is Track Record at 15/15.
How does Aztec Connect compare to other DeFi protocols?
Among 68 rated DeFi protocols on Hindenrank, Aztec Connect ranks #55 by safety (lowest risk score = safest). Its 42/100 risk score and C+ grade place it among the riskier DeFi protocols.
Has Aztec Connect ever been hacked or exploited?
Aztec Connect scores 15/15 on the Track Record risk dimension, indicating some history of security incidents or exploits. Higher scores reflect more severe or frequent incidents. Review the full risk report for details.