Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies Eli Ben-Sasson: Starknet - zk-STARKs and Cairo 1.0 upgrade
Layer 2 zero knowledge roll-ups have initially been used for achieving private transactions on blockchains. However, past simple transfers, interacting with a public smart contract posed a serious challenge. As research and technology evolved, proof construction became much more efficient, enabling zk-powered scalability. There is a variety of pros and cons for each type of proof system, but given the impending rise of qunatum computers, we have witnessed a recent migration from SNARKs to STARKs. While the former relies on trusted setups, zk-STARKs are quantum-resistant.
We were joined by Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of Starkware, to discuss Starknet's layer 2 architecture, as well as the upcoming update to Cairo 1.0 and how it will impact scalability performances for STARKs.
Topics covered in this episode:
- Shifting from privacy to scalability
- ZK roll-up taxonomy and main differences between SNARKs and STARKs
- Why scalability is easier to implement than privacy solutions
- Constructing proofs efficiently in Cairo
- Starknet’s layer 2 architecture
- Built-in account abstraction
- Volition, data availability and trust assumptions
- Sequencer decentralisation and crypto regulations
- Storage proofs
- Cairo upgrades & TPS
- Council-based vs. DAO governance
- Future developments
Episode links:
This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/502