Why Most Privacy Coins Are Doomed
Crypto‘s era of financial privacy is under siege from governments and centralized exchanges. Key reasons privacy coins get delisted include:
- Regulatory scrutiny due to untraceable transactions
- Lack of KYC/AML compliance, making them risky for exchanges
- Association with Darknet markets triggers guilt by proximity
But not all privacy coins are the same. Some strike a balance between anonymity and compliance, flying under the radar.
Three Privacy Coins That Are Safe From Delisting (And Why)
1. Secret (SCRT) — The Compliant Privacy Coin
Safety Level: High
Built with an Ethereum-based open-source SDK, Secret Network enables private smart contracts.
Why it survives:
- Offers optional compliance (projects can enable KYC as needed)
- Used in private NFTs, DAOs, and secure dApps
- Already listed on Kraken and Binance Futures
2. Horizen (ZEN) — Privacy with Enterprise Appeal
Safety Level: Medium to High
Horizen uses advanced cryptography to ensure end-to-end encrypted transactions.
Why it survive?
- Focuses on enterprise privacy solutions instead of P2P money
- Sidechains allow both regulated and private apps to coexist
- Has no strong history tied to darknet markets
3. Beam (BEAM) — Mimblewimble Without the Target
Safety Level: Moderate
It is built on the Mimblewimble protocol, which is similar to Litecoin’s MWEB but more robust.
Why it survives:
- Less exposure than Monero = less regulatory heat
- Used in gaming and private DeFi (no criminal stigma)
- Still listed on Gate.io and KuCoin
How These Coins Avoid the Banhammer
These aren’t your typical privacy coins. They:
- Serve more than just anonymous money transfers (NFTs, DeFi, enterprises)
- Have not been linked to darknet markets
- Maintain exchange listings for liquidity
- Trade absolute privacy for long-term viability
They don’t match Monero’s anonymity, but they do provide:
- Better liquidity
- Lower regulatory risk
- Real-world use cases
What to Watch Out For
Despite current safety, threats remain:
- Privacy features may be weakened for regulatory compliance
- Liquidity is limited compared to XMR
- Future regulation could still target them
How to Stay Private Without Getting Delisted
- Use decentralized exchanges (Haveno, atomic swaps)
- Hold some Monero for critical privacy needs
- Learn tools like CoinJoin and stealth wallets
- Explore global alternatives cautiously
Conclusion
The war on privacy coins isn’t over—it’s evolving. Coins like SCRT, ZEN, and BEAM may lack the full anonymity of Monero but strike the right balance to survive the purge and thrive in a regulated world.
