What is Secret (SCRT)?

By CMC AI
05 December 2025 03:53PM (UTC+0)

TLDR

Secret (SCRT) is a privacy-focused layer-1 blockchain built on Cosmos that enables encrypted smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to process data confidentially using trusted hardware.

  1. Privacy-first infrastructure – Encrypts input, output, and state of smart contracts by default via Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs).

  2. Interoperable confidential computing – Integrates with Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos chains to add privacy to public blockchain ecosystems.

  3. Governance-driven tokenomics – SCRT secures the network via staking, powers transactions, and lets holders vote on protocol upgrades.

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Secret Network addresses the transparency limitations of traditional blockchains by making privacy a default feature. Its “Secret Contracts” encrypt data during computation, enabling use cases like private DeFi swaps, confidential AI agents, and sensitive enterprise workflows. Unlike mixers or zero-knowledge proofs, TEEs (secure hardware enclaves) balance speed and confidentiality, ensuring sensitive inputs (e.g., medical records, trade strategies) remain sealed even from validators.

2. Technology & Architecture

Built using the Cosmos SDK, Secret leverages Intel SGX TEEs to create a “Confidential Computing Layer.” Its SecretVM framework allows general-purpose computations (Rust/CosmWasm smart contracts, AI models) to run in encrypted environments. Remote attestation verifies code integrity, while cross-chain bridges let Ethereum or Solana dApps use Secret’s privacy features without migrating.

3. Tokenomics & Governance

SCRT has no supply cap, with inflation dynamically adjusting between 7-9% to incentivize staking (~23% APR as of 2025). Stakers earn fees and voting power, with proposals requiring a 7-day voting period and majority approval. The token’s utility spans gas fees, staking rewards, and governance, aligning network security with user participation.

Conclusion

Secret Network reimagines blockchain as a privacy-preserving foundation for Web3, combining hardware-backed encryption with cross-chain interoperability. Its focus on confidential smart contracts positions it as a critical infrastructure layer for sectors demanding data sovereignty. As regulatory scrutiny on public ledgers grows, could Secret’s balance of auditability and privacy unlock mainstream adoption?

CMC AI can make mistakes. Not financial advice.