SoK: A Survey of Mixing Techniques and Mixers for Cryptocurrencies

TL;DR

This survey provides a structured, technique-focused panorama of blockchain mixing, separating centralized, decentralized, cross-chain, and privacy-preserving approaches. It classifies mixers by control structure and mixing primitives, then analyzes 19 representative implementations and currencies, detailing mechanisms, privacy guarantees, and vulnerabilities. The work highlights attack surfaces (taint analysis, timing, DoS, Sybil) and regulatory pressures, showing that few systems achieve truly undetectable transfers. It advocates future work in multiparty computation, zero-knowledge proofs, and decentralized governance to balance privacy, efficiency, and compliance in evolving privacy-preserving finance.

Abstract

Blockchain technologies have overturned the digital finance industry by introducing a decentralized pseudonymous means of monetary transfer. The pseudonymous nature introduced privacy concerns, enabling various deanonymization techniques, which in turn spurred development of stronger anonymity-preserving measures. The purpose of this paper is to create a comprehensive survey of mixing techniques and implementations within the vast ecosystem surrounding anonymization tools and mechanisms available in blockchain cryptocurrencies. First, we begin by reviewing classifications used in the field. Then, we survey various obfuscation techniques, helping to delve into actual implementations and combinations of these techniques. Next, we identify the positive and negative attributes of the approaches and implementations included. Moreover, we examine the implications of anonymization tools for user privacy, including their effectiveness in preserving anonymity and susceptibility to attacks and vulnerabilities. Finally, we discuss the challenges and innovations for extending mixing services into the realm of smart contracts or cross-chain space.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Categorization of mixing mechanisms.