Episode 329: Building Cryptographic Proofs from Hash Functions with Alessandro Chiesa and Eylon Yogev
Jun 26, 2024
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Alessandro Chiesa and Eylon Yogev discuss constructing cryptographic proofs from ideal hash functions, exploring SNARKs and Alessandro's role in ZK systems. They delve into superposition queries, limitations of the random oracle model, and future standardizations. The podcast highlights the importance of systematizing cryptographic proofs for security and efficiency.
Constructing SNARKs from ideal hash functions offers a stable foundation for cryptographic proofs.
Michali construction is a foundational SNARK with meticulous analysis of its soundness and zero-knowledge properties.
SNARKs from multi-round interactive Oracle Proofs present practical complexities for advanced cryptographic constructions.
Deep dives
Introduction to Hash-Based SNARKs
The book provides a detailed examination of constructing SNARKs from ideal hash functions, focusing on the stable landscape of hash-based SNARKs while addressing the challenges of recursive proofs.
Understanding the Michali Construction
The book delves into the pioneering Michali construction, presenting a meticulous analysis of its soundness, knowledge soundness, and zero-knowledge aspects, offering a comprehensive view of this foundational SNARK.
Transition to Multi-Round IOP-Based SNARKs
The book progresses to explore SNARKs constructed from multi-round interactive Oracle Proofs (IOPs), showcasing the practical aspects and complexities involved in this advanced construction that builds upon the Michali groundwork.
Setting Parameters and Standardizing Security Definitions
A chapter is dedicated to establishing precise security level definitions, detailed parameter setting practices, and outlining efficient security analysis methodologies crucial for practitioners in constructing and deploying SNARKs.
Exploring Probabilistic Proofs and Low-Degree Tests
The book hints at future endeavors in formalizing IOP constructions and proximity tests, particularly focusing on low-degree tests and compiling NP-complete languages to these tests, aiming to standardize critical components of probabilistic proofs beyond hash-based SNARKs.
In this week’s episode Anna and Nico chat with Alessandro Chiesa, Associate Professor at EPFL and Eylon Yogev, Professor at Bar-Ilan University. They discuss their recent publication; Building Cryptographic Proofs from Hash Functions, which provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of cryptographic proofs and goes on to analyze notable constructions of SNARGs based on ideal hash functions.
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