Enterprise demand for privacy is expected to drive the next phase of blockchain adoption, according to Paul Brody, founder and chief executive of the Nightfall Network and former global blockchain lead at EY, an audit and consulting firm.
Privacy Key to Enterprise Blockchain Adoption, Says Nightfall’s Brody
31 March 2026 - 21:32 CEST
By Matt Neill
Speaking at ETHCC 2026 in Cannes, France, Brody said private transaction volumes on Ethereum are beginning to rise in line with overall network activity, suggesting that enterprise use cases may follow.
Traditional companies are increasingly exploring blockchain infrastructure for payments, supply chains and financial transactions, where confidentiality remains a core requirement.
From EY project to standalone network
Brody spent more than a decade at EY, where he led the development of Nightfall as part of the firm’s blockchain strategy. The technology was designed to enable private transactions on the public Ethereum network using zero-knowledge proofs.
In early 2026, Nightfall was spun out as an independent company, aiming to tap into the growing demand for enterprise-grade privacy solutions on public blockchains.
It operates as a zero-knowledge roll-up, allowing organizations to transact on Ethereum while keeping sensitive data hidden and still benefiting from the security and transparency of the underlying network.
Brody said private transactions are still starting from a low base but are growing steadily alongside broader Ethereum activity. He said this trend could accelerate as more enterprises move onchain and require confidentiality for commercial operations.
"I personally believe that while consumers can take or leave privacy, many don’t fully understand it. Enterprises do. They care about it, and they will use it when it is available," he told the conference.
Privacy not anonymity
Brody also stressed the importance of distinguishing between privacy and anonymity in blockchain systems, particularly as regulators increase scrutiny of the sector. He said enterprise-focused solutions are designed to protect commercial data without enabling illicit activity.
"Privacy means your peers can’t see what you’re doing. It doesn’t mean that you can anonymously move money around," he said.
That distinction is central to how institutions and regulators are approaching blockchain adoption, with privacy-enhancing technologies increasingly positioned as compatible with compliance requirements.
