# Aztec Network Alpha Upgrade *The proposed upgrade would move Aztec to Stage 2 decentralization.* By [ETH Daily](https://ethdaily.io) · 2026-03-05 news, 2026, march2026 --- Quick Take ---------- * Aztec proposes the Alpha upgrade. * ENS AI Agent identity verification. * Kraken granted Fed master account. * Aave V4 security report. * * * [ Aztec Network Alpha Upgrade --------------------------- Listen to this episode from Ethereum News on Spotify. Aztec proposes the Alpha upgrade. ENS introduces an AI Agent identity verification standard. The Federal Reserve grants Kraken a master account. And Aave Labs releases an Aave V4 security report. Read more: https://ethdaily.io/896 Are you running a treasury? https://spotify.com ![Aztec Network Alpha Upgrade](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/cbb0d7a37982be3f7ee5e900682d077d434bc47f07375b33e8270e4cfc07701e.jpg) ](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VpZeDvQJ0y2iKwJQLXCvj) * * * Sponsored by ------------ [![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/cafb37e949427b4f9bf50bf8e45bd863541344063607c276d265fb5187fc0fcf.png)](https://www.liquity.org/earn?utm_source=eth_daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=earn_mar_2026&utm_content=borrow_banner) Are you running a treasury? You need liquidity but don’t want to sell ETH? Get the lowest fixed rates to borrow against ETH and LSTs on Liquity V2 on [liquity.org](https://www.liquity.org/?utm_source=eth_daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=mar_2026&utm_content=borrow_text) * * * Aztec Network Alpha Upgrade --------------------------- Aztec Network, a privacy-focused Layer 2 built on Ethereum, [proposed](https://forum.aztec.network/t/alpha-upgrade-is-ready-for-proposal/8511) launching its Alpha Network, a functionally complete upgrade to enable private, programmable smart contract transactions. If approved, the upgrade would move Aztec to Stage 2 decentralization, meaning the system is fully controlled by immutable code rather than a central operator. Since the Aztec Ignition launch, the network has introduced a dual state model that combines client-side private execution with public execution on the Aztec Virtual Machine (AVM). It has also upgraded its proving system to CHONK, enabling fast zero-knowledge proof generation on consumer devices. Following governance, Alpha could go live as soon as 24 days after the initial deployment. ENS AI Agent Identity Verification ---------------------------------- ENS [introduced](https://ens.domains/blog/post/ensip-25) ENSIP-25, a standard that provides a clear and deterministic way to verify that an AI agent is associated with a specific ENS domain. The standard works by defining a new ENS text record format that links an ENS name to an AI agent registered in an onchain registry, such as ERC-8004. To complete verification, the ENS name owner sets the standardized text record, creating a bidirectional link between the ENS name and the agent’s registry entry. The solution allows wallets, explorers, and applications to verify the association with a resolver lookup and, once confirmed, display verified ENS names for AI agents instead of hexadecimal wallet addresses. Kraken Granted Fed Master Account --------------------------------- Kraken Financial [received](https://blog.kraken.com/news/federal-reserve-master-account) approval for a Federal Reserve master account, granting it direct access to the U.S. payments system, including Fedwire. The approval makes Kraken the first digital asset bank to gain entry to the system, enabling it to settle payments directly with the Federal Reserve without relying on intermediary banks. The direct fiat connectivity improves speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for its institutional clients, while improving liquidity flows between crypto and traditional financial rails. The rollout will occur in phases, beginning with institutional support and expanding over time. Kraken said the approval follows more than five years of sustained regulatory engagement and examination. Other News ---------- * Aave V4 [security report](https://x.com/aave/status/2029258696761516461) * Obol Stack [v0.6.0 pre-release](https://x.com/OisinKyne/status/2029317006160208074) * Guide to [Ethereum Strawmap](https://x.com/Snapcrackle/status/2029174289379811594) * Coinbase [disrupts](https://x.com/coinbase/status/2029231225236230378) Tycoon 2FA * Synthesis [coming soon](https://x.com/synthesis_md/status/2029286078386176436) * Solidity [AI auditor tool](https://x.com/pashov/status/2029191589570957434) * Daily Gwei Refuel [#860](https://x.com/sassal0x/status/2029132219072299470) * Dev Tools Guild Feb [update](https://x.com/devtoolsguild/status/2029151879637135698) * ZK pod on [post-quantum SNARKs](https://x.com/zeroknowledgefm/status/2029225357967016078) * $17m [wrench attack](https://x.com/sillytuna/status/2029311564633809279) * DPRK [Telegram hacks](https://x.com/MrCable0x/status/2029316690635554996) * * * Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes only, not endorsement or investment advice. The accuracy of information is not guaranteed. --- *Originally published on [ETH Daily](https://ethdaily.io/896)*