Introducing Tungsten: The Next Generation of Telos Privacy

The first Telos Privacy pool gave us valuable experience in bringing private transfers to Telos EVM. It showed us where the next generation could improve: costs, usability and the trust assumptions behind the technology.

Tungsten builds on that experience. We are developing a new WTLOS privacy pool around transparent STARK proofs, formal verification and lower fees, with a rollout aimed at growing participation quickly.

STARK proofs without a trusted setup ceremony

Tungsten is being developed around zero-knowledge STARKs: transparent proofs designed to verify transactions while keeping private information confidential.

A key advantage is that STARKs do not require a trusted setup ceremony. Their parameters do not depend on participants creating and then destroying secret setup material. Tungsten’s design requires that transparency throughout the proof system. (How STARKs work)

For users, the benefit is a simpler trust foundation for the technology protecting private transactions.

Formal verification as a foundation

We are working toward mathematical assurance of the rules that matter most: funds are accounted for correctly, the same funds cannot be spent twice, and spending requires the proper authority.

Formal verification makes those rules precise and checks them against a defined model. Connecting that assurance to the complete running system is a central part of Tungsten’s development.

Lower fees for everyday privacy

Lower transaction fees are a core priority. Privacy becomes more useful when people can afford to use it regularly, including for smaller transfers.

We are targeting faster, cheaper private transactions. Final fees and performance figures will be published after testing the complete system.

Privacy within the Telos ecosystem

Tungsten is being developed for Telos EVM, starting with WTLOS, the wrapped form of TLOS. The aim is to make private transfers a practical part of the Telos experience, alongside the wallets and applications users already know.

A pool built to grow

We are planning a rollout focused on growing participation quickly once Tungsten is ready. More activity can give users more transactions to blend into, while timing and deposit or withdrawal patterns will continue to matter for privacy.

The opportunity for Telos is to combine a transparent proof system, rigorous security work and competitive costs in one accessible privacy product.

Why Tungsten

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal. The name reflects what we want to build: a resilient foundation, shaped by experience and tested under scrutiny. (Royal Society of Chemistry)

What happens to the existing pools

The legacy privacy pools will be retired, and previously deposited TLOS will be returned to users’ EVM accounts.

These returns will appear as public EVM balances. Joining Tungsten will require a separate deposit. Official Telos channels will publish the return schedule, destination details and any required steps.

Tungsten is in development. The STARK implementation, formal assurance, integration and independent security review must be completed before launch.

Also available as an X Article.