# Stacks Founder Proposes Privacy Features for Bitcoin via Execution Layer Muneeb Ali suggests adding confidential transactions above Bitcoin without altering its base layer. - **Source:** [CryptoPotato](https://brifing.si/source/bd22636b-ec8d-42a8-8cca-1937c50e0f6c) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3e3d354b-a0aa-4c46-8899-bc39f0a635f2 ## Privacy Without Base Changes Stacks co-founder Muneeb Ali suggests that Bitcoin can incorporate confidential transaction features without modifying its core protocol. By utilizing an execution layer built above the main network, developers can implement privacy-focused capabilities. This approach ensures that the fundamental public auditability of Bitcoin's total circulating supply remains fully intact for all users. ## Maintaining Network Transparency Ali emphasizes that the Bitcoin base layer should remain transparent to allow for independent verification of coin supply. While privacy is a growing demand, he argues that sacrificing the ability to audit the total number of coins is unnecessary. Confidentiality can be managed at higher layers, keeping the base layer secure and auditable. ## Stacks Network Development Roadmap The Stacks project aims to make Bitcoin programmable, faster, and more cost-effective for users. Ali identified privacy, yield-generating applications, and quantum computing preparedness as the three primary areas for future development. These initiatives are designed to expand Bitcoin's utility while respecting the original design principles of the underlying blockchain technology. ## Quantum Computing Threat Timeline Ali warns that advancements in artificial intelligence could accelerate the timeline for quantum computing threats against blockchain systems. He suggests that 2029 is a more realistic target for preparedness than the 2030 estimate provided by NIST. Upgrading Bitcoin to counter these risks will require significant time and consensus among the developer community. ## Security Through Open Source Strengthening Bitcoin's underlying software remains a critical priority for the ecosystem. Ali argues that open-source systems benefit from collective scrutiny, as more developers examine code to identify potential vulnerabilities. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining the integrity of the network against evolving threats in an increasingly complex digital landscape. ## AI and Cyber Defense The rise of AI-assisted attacks necessitates stronger, AI-based defensive mechanisms for financial systems. Ali noted that while recent exchange hacks were handled effectively, future threats will likely be more sophisticated. Developing robust security protocols is vital to protect users and assets from actors who leverage automation to exploit existing system weaknesses. ## Lessons From Recent Hacks Recent high-profile security incidents, such as the $6.3 billion Binance hack, highlight the persistent risks facing cryptocurrency platforms. While authorities linked the incident to North Korean actors, the event underscores the importance of on-chain monitoring. Freezing stolen funds demonstrates how transparency can assist in mitigating the impact of large-scale digital thefts. ## Future Scalability and Adoption The proposed privacy architecture seeks to balance user confidentiality with the need for verifiable monetary supply. Whether projects like Stacks can successfully deliver these features at scale remains a key question for the industry. Success will depend on the ability to integrate these complex layers without compromising the core security of Bitcoin. ## Sources covering this story - https://cryptopotato.com/bitcoin-can-gain-privacy-features-without-changing-base-layer-stacks-founder/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._