Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

The recent advancements of layer 2 scaling solutions, especially zero-knowledge rollups, led to a complete redesign of Ethereum’s scalability roadmap. As a result, the initial concept of sharding the execution layer was abandoned and replaced by the idea of data sharding. This proposal, named after its author, is know as Danksharding. EIP-4844 is also referred to as proto-danksharding as it sets the foundation for data sharding, through the introduction of data blobs.We were joined by Carl Beekhuizen & Trenton Van Epps from the Ethereum Foundation, to discuss about the upcoming EIP-4844 timeline and its KZG ceremony.Topics covered in this episode:Trent’s and Carl’s backgroundsDanksharding and scaling EthereumData BLOBs and data availabilityKZG ceremonyHow trusted setups evolvedKZG commitment requirementsHow trust is ensuredCombining randomnessHow storing secrets is preventedGeneral contribution detailsSpecial contributionsQuantum vulnerabilityGeneral EIP-4844 timelineEpisode links: Carl Beekhuizen on TwitterTrenton Van Epps on TwitterMorgan Peck's articleSponsors: Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support.https://omni.app/ -This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/478

While Part 1 (#476) focused more on the general landscape of the ZK ecosystem, covering team updates and developments, in this episode, we take a closer look at specific use cases for ZK proofs and if the focus has shifted from privacy to blockchain scalability. Moreover, as the dusk of 2022 introduced chatGPT to the world, it seems only fitting to explore ZKP integrations in machine learning (ML).In Part 2 of this 2-part episode, we were joined by Anna Rose, host of Zero Knowledge Podcast and founder of ZK Summit, ZK Validator and ZK Hack, and Kobi Gurkan, Head of Research at Geometry, to discuss current applications for ZK proofs and what narratives are going to shape 2023 for the ZK ecosystem.Topics covered in this episode:Applications and use cases for ZK proofsZK bridgesAudits and ZK securityZKML (Machine Learning)Succinctness vs. Privacy2023 predictions for the ZK ecosystemPrivacy - human right or concern?Episode links: Zero Knowledge Podcast on TwitterZero Knowledge Podcast on YouTubeAnna Rose on TwitterKobi Gurkan on TwitterSponsors: Tally Ho: Tally Ho is a new wallet for Web3 and DeFi that sees the wallet as a public good. Think of it like a community-owned alternative to MetaMask. - https://epicenter.rocks/tallycashThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/477

Blockchains are immutable record keepers, storing information about every transaction ever recorded. However, this attribute comes at a cost: as more and more transactions occur, so does the size of the record expands. In turn, the hardware requirements for running a node increase which ultimately affects decentralization. Another aspect frequently criticized is how transactions are being processed by legacy blockchains in terms of speed. For both of these aspects there is a cryptographic solution that addresses scalability: zero knowledge proofs (ZKPs). These allow one entity (prover) to prove to another entity (verifier) that a statement is true, without revealing any additional information about the process or data involved. When applied to blockchains, ZKPs improve scalability and privacy by certifying that state transitions occurred, without the need to relay the underlying information.In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, we were joined by Anna Rose, host of Zero Knowledge Podcast and founder of ZK Summit, ZK Validator and ZK Hack, and Kobi Gurkan, Head of Research at Geometry, to discuss the state of the ZK ecosystem and how this promising technology is evolving.Topics covered in this episode:Anna’s background & her involvement in the ZK ecosystemKobi’s background in cryptographyTrusted setups, a brief history: Plumo & AztecZK Hack(athon)The State of the ZK ecosystemHow the ZK landscape evolved: from SNARKs to STARKsTrade-offs: compatibility, security, performanceAztec & Noir DSLThe need for performance benchmarksZK L1s: Zcash, Mina, AleoEpisode links: Zero Knowledge Podcast on TwitterZero Knowledge Podcast on YouTubeThe paper Kobi mentioned (by Ariel Gabizon)Anna Rose on TwitterKobi Gurkan on TwitterSponsors: Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support.https://omni.app/ -This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/476

Ted Blackman and Gary Lieberman discuss Urbit, a decentralized computing platform aiming to achieve global-scale decentralization. Topics include the disruptive potential of Urbit, its impact on user experience, current development stage, potential limitations, Urbit's adoption timeframe, other use cases, and implications for crypto. They also explore Urbit as a client interface, decentralized storage system, and general-purpose oracle system. The podcast concludes by highlighting opportunities for developers to get involved with Urbit.

As crypto adoption increases, so does the pressing need for blockchain scalability. Monolithic blockchains provide data availability, consensus and execution on a single, base layer, which makes scaling them a difficult endeavour. Multiple layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions have been proposed to address computation and/or data availability, but they reach the same design bottlenecks: limited bandwidth, account state models, sequential transaction processing, etc. Modular blockchains separate the core functionalities, redesigning them as customisable building blocks. This allows for greater flexibility and scalability, adapting blockchain structure to its intended function.We were joined by Nick Dodson, CEO and co-founder of Fuel Labs, to discuss modular execution layers and how they approach different aspects of blockchain design and scalability.Topics covered in this episode:Nick’s background and founding Fuel LabsWhy most blockchain designs are not scalableThe vision behind Fuel Labs’ modular execution layerThe difference between L2 roll-ups and modular execution layersBlockchain design philosophies and integrationsUTXO and multi-thread parallel transactionsUTXO vs. account model systemsFuel Labs’ own virtual machine (VM)Multiple native assets supportDeveloper experience switching to Sway DSLBridging to a settlement layer and interoperabilityBuilding on FuelEpisode links: Fuel LabsFuel Labs on TwitterNick on TwitterSponsors: Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support.https://omni.app/ -This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Sebastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/474

This year has been quite a rollercoaster for the crypto industry. From the long-awaited success of the Ethereum Merge to the spectacular collapse of FTX, this year has been full of lessons, resilience, and insights. This is also one of a few bear markets where activities and developments continue to feel vibrant across the board, while long-term adoption and regulations seem evermore uncertain. With that backdrop, our hosts sit down for a conversation on the current state of crypto and look back on 2022. The topics range from the general public sentiment to key developments within the industry, as well as exciting themes that the hosts are looking forward to in the upcoming future. Throughout the conversation, the hosts also express concerns over the issues with privacy and regulations, and how the ecosystems can resiliently move forward.Topics covered in this episode:General public sentiment heading into the new year, after Luna and FTX collapseCeFi versus DeFiCrypto Regulations and adoption trendsThe Ethereum Merge, MEV, and OFAC-sanctionRoadmap and community development for censorship resistancezkEVM and Eigen LayerThe future of Cosmos Ecosystem and Cosmos HubThe state of UrbitUrbit and cryptoThoughts on the Solana community and ecosystemEpisode links: Brian on TwitterSebastien on TwitterFelix on TwitterSponsors: Tally Ho: Tally Ho is a new wallet for Web3 and DeFi that sees the wallet as a public good. Think of it like a community-owned alternative to MetaMask. - https://epicenter.rocks/tallycashThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture, Brian Fabian Crain & Felix Lutsch. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/473

Dune Analytics is a platform aggregating blockchain data, making data easier to query and understand for the larger public. Over the past years, Dune has become the go-to tool for blockchain analytics, as well as the home of a community of dune wizards numbering in the thousands, with its fundraising at a 1 Billion valuation as a testament to the growth of the project over the past 4 years.In today's episode, we are joined by the project's co-founder, Fredrik Haga. We discuss the products Dune Analytics offers, why it's hard to aggregate data that in principle is public, and how a community of data wizards was built in a grassroots effort. We also chatted about product focus and vision for the future, as well as useful lessons for bootstrapping a project on a shoestring budget.Topics covered in this episode:The beginning of DuneThe challenges and difficulties in building a blockchain data product.Technical improvements on Dune V2Supporting for non-evm chainsBusiness models, userbases, and valuationsInteresting use cases on DuneCommunity BuildingThe focus on product experience and next steps for the projectEpisode links:Dune Analytics's websiteDune Analytics TwitterFredrik Haga's twitterSponsors:Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support. https://omni.app/ -This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Felix Lutsch. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/472

Artificial Intelligence is a fascinating field that has made tremendous development over the past few years. From GPT-3 to Dall-e and Stable Diffusion, the vastness of the scope of applications for AI and neural computing is becoming clearer than ever. At the base layer, there is a need for decentralized p2p AI compute platform that provides flexible access to the wider public. Gensyn sets out on the mission to provide just that by building a market place protocol for AI compute - ultra-low cost, hyperscale, permissionless.In today’s episode we are joined by the project's co-founders Ben Fielding and Harry Grieve. We take a deep dive into the current landscape for AI and AI compute, the reasonings and trade-offs in building Gensyn, the protocol’s focus and edge cases, and how the protocol is utilizing the blockchain technology as both incentive layer and credibly neutral platform.Topics covered in this episode:The founders' background and reasonings for development on BlockchainThe current state of AI development and breakdown of AI conceptsThe current landscape for AI modeling and computeGensyn's difference to other protocols, such as GolemHow Gensyn is adhering to the decentralized default, and making trade-offs in product buildingBuilding Gensyn as a Layer-1 protocolDeep dive into the Gensyn Protocol and edge casesOther players in the protocol: solvers, verifiers, and whistle blowersBuilding a blockchainEpisode links: GensynGensyn on TwitterBen Fielding on TwitterHarry Grieve on TwitterSponsors: Tally Ho: Tally Ho is a new wallet for Web3 and DeFi that sees the wallet as a public good. Think of it like a community-owned alternative to MetaMask. - https://epicenter.rocks/tallycashThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/471

EigenLayer is a 'programmable slashing' layer2 protocol built on Ethereum which leverages security through the method of restaking. This is a bootstrapping mechanism which allows existing Eth2 stakers to access the collateral in the staking system to provide additional services, for additional yield, while taking on additional risk. We were joined by founder Sreeram Kannan who explained to us the concept of re-staking, how this works in the EigenLayer protocol, use cases, and the roadmap ahead.Topics covered in this episode:Sreeram's background and how he got into cryptoHis role at the University of Washington Blockchain LabEigenLayer and the concept of re-stakingThe risk with 'programmable slashing'The participants in the EigenLayer economyImpact on decentralization and home stakersEigenDA and other EigenLayer use casesCombatting malicious slashingThe EigenLayer roadmapEpisode links: Episode B007 - Devcon Panel – Censorship Resistance and Credible NeutralityEigenLayerEigenLayer on TwitterSreeram on TwitterSponsors: Omni: Access all of Web3 in one easy-to-use wallet! Earn and manage assets at once with Omni's built-in staking, yield vaults, bridges, swaps and NFT support.https://omni.app/ -This episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Felix Lutsch. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/470

For centuries, we have been led to believe that nation states are the only way to organize humankind at scale. But governments all around the world are failing to react swiftly to the severe destruction of our planet from things like war and climate change, and this is endangering our whole species. Nation3 is ready to overturn this, by building a Web3-powered, tax-free, solarpunk sovereign cloud nation. It is structured as a DAO, meaning there is no legal entity, no gatekeepers, and no influence by trad states. The goal is to gradually build or invest in products and services that allow citizens to be actively involved in economic activity. The $NATION token serves as the gateway to participate in the community Discord, participate in governance decisions, receive an NFT passport, and eventually receive services provided by the new cloud nation.We were joined by founders Luis and Anastasiya to chat about why they see this is as necessary for humankind, how the legal, governance and economic aspects will work, and the long term visions for the project.Topics covered in this episode:Luis and Anastasiya's backgroundsThe problem that Nation3 is trying to solveHow the legal system worksThe differences between Nation3 and traditional nationsThe core services Nation3 will provideWhy is the nation tax-free and how will the economy be supported?Issues with selling passportsHow will democracy work?The biggest learnings from AragonWhat is the vision for acquiring landEpisode links: Nation3Nation3 TechtreeNation3 on TwitterAnastasiya on TwitterLuis on TwitterSponsors: Tally Ho: Tally Ho is a new wallet for Web3 and DeFi that sees the wallet as a public good. Think of it like a community-owned alternative to MetaMask. - https://epicenter.rocks/tallycashThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/469