#6 - Maddiaa: An Encrypted Arena Emerges: Anonymous Transactions and MEV on Aztec's ZKVM
Jul 25, 2023
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Former MEV Searcher Maddiaa, now at Aztec, discusses zero knowledge virtual machines, privacy and security in blockchain transactions, and the race for zero-knowledge technology. The podcast also covers topics such as getting hired in the tech industry, exploring circuits in contract programming, and the need for practice in the ZKVM field.
ZK circuits allow for private execution of computations on sensitive data while still providing public verification and transparency.
Aztec's ZKVM separates private and public states, offering a way to maintain privacy while interacting with public blockchains.
ZK technology is poised to play a significant role in the future of blockchain and decentralized applications as the demand for privacy and confidential transactions increases.
Deep dives
Overview of ZK circuits and private execution
The podcast episode discusses the concept of private execution and how it can be achieved using ZK circuits. Private execution involves performing computations on private data without revealing the data itself. ZK circuits allow for the creation of private and public states, where private states can only be accessed privately and public states can be viewed publicly. This distinction provides privacy for sensitive information while still allowing for public verification and transparency.
The two execution environments in Aztec
Aztec, a cryptography company, is mentioned in the podcast as a provider of private execution. They use a model called the ZKVM, which includes two execution environments: one for private state and one for public state. The private state operates using the UTXO model, while the public state follows the traditional account-based model. By separating private and public functions and states, Aztec offers a way to maintain privacy while still interacting with public blockchains.
The challenges and benefits of ZK circuits
The podcast highlights some of the challenges and benefits of ZK circuits. Challenges include the need for developers and auditors to familiarize themselves with the new technology and potential security vulnerabilities. On the other hand, ZK circuits offer privacy for sensitive transactions and data, which is particularly important for industries such as healthcare and finance. The ability to perform private transactions on public blockchains opens up new possibilities for applications and use cases.
The developer experience in Aztec
The podcast emphasizes that developers familiar with Solidity and Ethereum have a solid foundation for building on Aztec. The syntax and semantics are similar, and Aztec's focus on private and public states allows for modular and flexible app development. While there might be a learning curve to understand ZK circuits and the different execution environments, the developer experience is generally smooth and accessible.
The future and potential of ZK technology
The podcast discusses the future of ZK technology and its potential impact. There is a race among various projects to become the leading provider of ZK solutions for scalability and privacy. As the ecosystem evolves, automated analysis tools and security measures will become more important to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure the integrity of ZK applications. With the increasing demand for privacy and confidential transactions, ZK technology is poised to play a significant role in the future of blockchain and decentralized applications.
Join DeGatchi in this captivating episode of the Scraping Bits podcast, as he engages in a compelling conversation with Maddiaa, a former MEV Searcher now dedicating efforts to maintaining Huff while working at Aztec, the creators of this revolutionary technology. Delve into the intricate world of zero knowledge virtual machines, built on the foundation of Ethereum. Explore the complexity and mathematical genius behind this cutting-edge technology, which enables enhanced privacy and security in blockchain transactions. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from the forefront of blockchain innovation!