Starkware's Breakthrough with ZK Proofs
On Bitcoin
25.07.24
Tech News
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Scaling Bitcoin: StarkWare’s Breakthrough with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

StarkWare, a blockchain developer known for StarkEx and StarkNet, claims to have verified the first zero-knowledge proof using its new STARK verifier on Bitcoin’s Signet test network. StarkWare’s goals are to enhance the scalability and security of blockchains, and this is a major step forward.

STARK Verifier

StarkWare believes that zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs are crucial for unlocking Bitcoin's programmability and expanding its use worldwide. In simple terms, ZK proofs are a cryptographic method that enables one party to prove to another that they possess specific information without actually revealing it. For instance, in a layer 2 network, a user can prove ownership of a transaction to a smart contract or network node without disclosing sensitive data. This helps reduce congestion on blockchains, speeds up transactions, and maintains security.

CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated, “We said we wanted to scale Bitcoin and unleash the blockchain’s power to transform the world. This is us doing that. It’s our very first step in showing what Bitcoin can do with zero-knowledge technology.”

The concept was established by verifying the 32nd number in the Fibonacci squared sequence. This achievement paves the way for generalizing the design and enabling it to perform a wider range of general-purpose computations.

Scaling Bitcoin Without Forks

No additional blockchain is being created, as StarkWare utilizes the existing Starknet network with its current governance and tokenomics. Bitcoin scaling doesn't necessitate a fork, and each decentralized application (dapp) has the flexibility to select its preferred settlement option. This is made possible in part by the utilization of OP_CAT.

OP_CAT

The proposed Bitcoin update known as OP_CAT aims to restore some of the functionality that was originally available but was turned off by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2010 due to security concerns.

However, supporters of OP_CAT argue that advancements in technology and changes to the Bitcoin code have already addressed these issues.

StarkWare's breakthrough highlights the clear advantages of integrating OP_CAT and enabling Ethereum-like smart contract capability on the blockchain network. However, there are still critics, and consensus has not yet been reached in the community.

The Signet Test Network

The test was conducted on The Signet test network. Bitcoin's Signet network, similar to other Bitcoin testnets, provides a controlled environment for developers to test new features, applications, and tools before deploying them on the Bitcoin mainnet.

However, Signet differs from traditional Bitcoin testnets due to its centrally coordinated nature and added stability and protection against spam or malicious activities.

A New Era of Bitcoin Development

The achievements of StarkWare represent a significant advancement in Bitcoin scaling solutions by utilizing their ZK rollup technology. This project not only reinforced the case for OP_CAT but also demonstrated that there are still boundaries to be broken in the development of Bitcoin, creating opportunities for new developers to enter the ecosystem.

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