Ethereum Foundation launches zkAPI for private AI payments

6.6 Tech

Oct 2, 2026

Ethereum Foundation and Open Anonymity Project launched zkAPI, enabling private payments for AI and API services on Ethereum using zero-knowledge proofs.

The Ethereum Foundation, together with the Open Anonymity Project, has launched zkAPI—a privacy-focused tool now live on the Ethereum mainnet. zkAPI enables users to pay for AI models and other metered APIs without revealing their identities, leveraging zero-knowledge proofs for privacy. Users deposit tokens such as ETH or USDC into a vault contract, which tracks their balance as a private note. When accessing services, the user’s device generates a proof that confirms sufficient and unused funds. The server verifies this proof before issuing a temporary API key with usage limits. This approach ensures service providers only see the request content, not the payer’s identity, while payment providers see only the amount spent, not user or request details. Only deposits, settlements, and withdrawals are recorded on-chain, preserving privacy over service usage. zkAPI aims to address privacy concerns in decentralized apps and AI services by separating payments from user identity.