Ian Miers

Ian Miers, an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland and a pioneering figure in zero-knowledge technology, covers a wealth of intriguing topics. He discusses his groundbreaking work on Zerocoin and Zcash, addressing early challenges in privacy on public ledgers. Ian shares the evolution of trusted setups, including Powers of Tau, and introduces his innovations like zk-creds for flexible anonymous credentials and zk-promises for anonymous reputation systems. The conversation also explores critical issues such as post-quantum security and the ethics of programmable privacy.

In this engaging discussion, Ian Miers, cofounder of Zcash and a cryptography expert, shares insights on vital topics including the importance of zero-knowledge proofs for privacy in cryptocurrencies. He explains the privacy pitfalls of Bitcoin's public ledger and why Zcash’s unique mechanisms enable transactions without compromising user data. The conversation also touches on the potential threats of quantum computing and explores future prospects for a resurgence of interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

Charles Guillemet, CTO at Ledger, Matthew Green, a cryptographer from Johns Hopkins, and Ian Miers, co-inventor of Zcash, delve into the urgent challenges posed by quantum computing to blockchain technology. They discuss the need for proactive solutions, the trade-offs of transitioning to quantum-resistant signatures, and the evolving privacy landscape in the age of AI. The trio highlights practical security measures for users while exploring how AI complicates privacy further. A dynamic conversation that balances technical insight with real-world implications!