Encrypted Computation

Definition ∞ Encrypted computation refers to the process of performing calculations on encrypted data without decrypting it first. This technique allows computations to be executed while preserving the confidentiality of the underlying information. By operating directly on ciphertext, encrypted computation offers a way to process sensitive data securely, even in untrusted environments. Various cryptographic methods, such as homomorphic encryption and secure multi-party computation, facilitate this capability.
Context ∞ In the digital asset and blockchain space, encrypted computation is gaining traction for its potential to enhance privacy and security in decentralized applications and smart contracts. Applications include performing computations on private transaction data, executing complex financial models without revealing proprietary strategies, or enabling secure data analysis on sensitive datasets. Ongoing research aims to improve the efficiency and scalability of these techniques, making them more viable for widespread adoption in the crypto industry, particularly for privacy-focused digital assets and DeFi protocols.