Building the privacy layer of the internet

Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) are tools and methods that protect personal data and enable confidential information processing without exposing sensitive details. They include techniques like zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption, and secure multi-party computation. These technologies allow organizations to gain insights from data, verify credentials, and enable transactions while maintaining privacy—making it possible to balance utility with data protection in ways previously impossible.

Shielded Technologies is an engineering company specializing in privacy-enhancing, decentralized technologies. We're a spinout of Input Output (the team behind Cardano) and serve as the core technology partners for the Midnight Network. Our team combines world-class blockchain expertise with zero-knowledge cryptography to build solutions that protect data privacy while enabling real-world adoption.

Midnight is a 4th generation blockchain that leverages zero-knowledge proof technology and a novel dual-state ledger architecture to power applications that protect both user data and transaction metadata. It features rational privacy architecture with selective disclosure, dual-component tokenomics (NIGHT token and DUST resource), and is designed for cooperation with other chains rather than competition.

As the core builders of the protocol, our work currently spans three main areas across Midnight: (1) Midnight protocol development—including blockchain ledger, tokenomics architecture, node software, and smart contract language; (2) Network infrastructure operations—managing federated nodes, test networks, and developer documentation; and (3) Ecosystem tooling & capabilities—building essential tools and services that help users generate privacy-preserving proofs.

We combine Input Output's proven blockchain heritage with specialized zero-knowledge cryptography expertise. As premier members of the Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust and the Confidential Computing Consortium, we're committed to open-source development and the advancement of privacy-enhancing technologies. Our focus is on building production-ready, regulation-compliant solutions—not laboratory experiments—that embed privacy into the fabric of the internet, starting with the Midnight protocol.

Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic methods that allow one party to prove to another that something is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. In practical terms, this means you can verify credentials, transactions, or data without exposing sensitive underlying information—creating systems that provide mathematical proof rather than demanding blind trust.

We're actively building our global, fully remote team. We're always on the lookout for engineers, researchers, and technologists who are passionate about privacy-enhancing technology and align with our EPIC² values. Visit our Careers page to explore current openings or reach out even if you don't see a perfect match.

Open-source collaboration is core to our identity. As premier members of the Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust, we're committed to transparent governance and community-driven innovation. The Midnight protocol is licensed under Apache 2.0, ensuring community ownership and fostering the kind of collaborative ecosystem that drives meaningful technological advancement.

We work with organizations looking to build privacy-preserving applications using Midnight network capabilities. If you’re exploring the idea, we'd love to discuss how we can collaborate. Get in touch through our Contact page to start the conversation.

Selective disclosure is a privacy-preserving technique that enables individuals to disclose specific information for a given interaction while keeping all other personal data confidential. This approach is a practical expression of a broader concept known as rational privacy.

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Rational privacy is the idea that privacy shouldn’t be absolute or all-or-nothing—it should be contextual. It recognizes that in many real-world scenarios, users want to share some data to gain access to services or meet legal obligations, but they shouldn't be forced to give up all privacy and security in the process. It’s about striking a balance between personal control, usability, and regulatory compliance.