Introducing ‘TEN’ — A Leap Beyond Privacy

Cais Manai
Obscuro Labs
Published in
3 min readNov 16, 2023

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Today marks a pivotal moment. As we stand on the threshold of significant expansion and innovation, we are thrilled to share an exciting step in our journey. We are evolving from Obscuro to TEN — a name that encapsulates our broadened vision and technological advancements. TEN symbolizes our aspirations beyond privacy, addressing a myriad of challenges in the Ethereum and Layer 2 ecosystems.

Obscuro is becoming Ten

Why TEN?

Eighteen months ago, when we chose ‘Obscuro’, our aim was to encapsulate our commitment to privacy, a cornerstone of our technology. However, as we evolve, so does our vision. TEN is not merely a name; it’s a symbol of our expanded focus. It embodies our resolve to address challenges left unmet by other Layer 2 solutions — from decentralized sequencers and fast bridges to reliable scalability. With TEN, we’re introducing an array of new features like secure vaults and trusted private oracles.

The word TEN holds layered meanings: It signifies ‘The Encrypted Network’, echoing our enduring commitment to privacy and security. Fun fact, 10 in binary code translates to the number ‘2’, representing our integral role as a Layer 2 solution on Ethereum. Moreover, in Japanese, TEN translates to ‘heaven’ or ‘sky’ — a fitting metaphor for the sense of security and boundlessness TEN offers within Web3.

Why TEN Is More Than Privacy

Privacy was just the beginning. Ten embodies way more:

  1. Programmable Encryption: Any Ethereum Smart Contract can now have both public and private state, and crucially, shared state. Something no other encrypted solution in the Ethereum space has managed to do.
  2. Speed and Affordability: We maintain the cost-effectiveness expected of Layer 2 solutions and provide almost immediate finality, delivering a user experience akin to Web2 platforms. This efficiency makes Ten the fastest encrypted network in Web3.
  3. Seamless Experience: We’ve pioneered encryption that integrates smoothly with existing user and developer experiences. Developers can continue using Solidity and all Ethereum tools without modifications, while for users, it’s a straightforward, three-click setup to start using dApps on TEN.
  4. Eliminating Negative MEV: We’ve tackled the issue of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) head-on, providing solutions that eliminate negative MEV across dApps, enhancing fairness and security.
  5. Decentralized Sequencers: The TEN whitepaper includes a clear path to decentralized sequencers, demonstrating the commitment to a fully decentralized and efficient ecosystem.
  6. Immediate Bridge: TEN features a unique, immediate bridge. Unlike other solutions that require extended waiting periods, our bridge operates without delay while maintaining complete decentralization.
  7. Secure RNGs: Instant generation of private random numbers directly from the network, opening up the doors for all sorts of new use cases, like on-chain games and fair NFT distribution.
  8. Yield: TEN is the only network, beyond Ethereum, to reward node operators in Eth.
  9. Expanding Partnerships: Our journey has garnered the support of over ninety partners at the point of publication, a testament to the innovation and appeal of TEN.
  10. Team: The Obscuro Labs team has a history of working with institutions, having built the blockchain, Corda. This gives TEN the best possible foundation and pathways into institutions and CDBC.

The Future is TEN

The vision for TEN is ambitious. We are not just rebranding, we are redefining our trajectory to become the dominant Layer 2 platform in the Web3 ecosystem. Thank you for being a part of this thrilling journey.

Find out more

We’re now live on ten.xyz. Join the community on Discord and follow us on Twitter.

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Cais Manai
Obscuro Labs

Hi, I’m Cais. You’ll find me writing on blockchain topics. By day, I’m a Product Manager for Ten.