In the 2026 crypto market, RWA is shifting from a concept to real implementation, and DUSK, a European-based Layer-1 project, is making a difference in this wave with a combination of "technological hardware + compliance deepening."

Let's first look at the technology aspect. Q1 is a critical window for DUSK—Protocol v23 is about to be deployed, and the launch of Rust smart contracts and built-in KYC permissions will truly integrate privacy protection and compliance verification, no longer two separate layers. The focus of Testnet1 and Testnet2 is to verify cross-chain interoperability and DeFi compatibility. Once the mainnet stabilizes, core applications like DEX and cross-chain bridges can go live, directly addressing the current lack of rich ecological application scenarios.

What’s more noteworthy is the Hyperstaking feature. This newly introduced staking method offers two benefits: first, it can significantly increase token lock-up rates; second, it is expected to ease circulating supply pressure while strengthening network security. Market reactions to these technological advances have been quite positive—by January 10, DUSK's 24-hour price increase was 6.21%, and its market cap has recovered to $27.7 million.

From an ecological perspective, DUSK’s layout in the European market is more robust. It has formed a strategic partnership with Quanto Z Pay, a fully MiCA-compliant digital euro project, which directly opens up the imagination space for compliant payment scenarios. More importantly, DUSK has become the underlying infrastructure for the Dutch MTF-regulated exchange NPEX, supporting over $300 million in securities tokenization business—this is no small figure.

In summary, DUSK’s value is supported by two pillars: short-term technological implementation and long-term ecological expansion. In the increasingly crowded RWA track, this combination advantage is indeed worth paying attention to.