Zero Knowledge ZK in Solana with Mert Mumtaz
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Feb 26, 2025 Mert Mumtaz, Co-founder and CEO of Helius, shares his insights on the Solana ecosystem and his journey through the recent crypto market downturn. He discusses the rise of zero-knowledge (ZK) projects, contrasting Solana’s landscape with Ethereum’s. Mert dives into the technically challenging yet supportive developer community, explores the implications of meme coins, and reflects on the evolution of crypto speculation. The conversation also uncovers advancements in cryptographic technologies that enhance privacy and efficiency within Solana.
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Early Solana Development
- Mert Mumtaz built Solana indexers and block explorers in his free time while working at Coinbase.
- This highlighted the ecosystem's developer-friendliness but also the difficulty of building on Solana due to a lack of standardized tools.
Solana's Appeal
- Mert's applied math and engineering background drew him to Solana's radio-like structure.
- He saw Solana as a simpler scaling bet than Ethereum, which required multiple conditional developments to succeed.
Reply Guy Origin Story
- Mert became Solana's "reply guy" by refuting misinformation about its technology and tokenomics.
- The FTX crash intensified this role, as defending the ecosystem became almost a second job.