Zero Knowledge

Guillermo, Tarun, and Alex Evans discuss the year 2023 in the ZK space, exploring themes, applications, and research topics. They reflect on their state of mind in Jan 2023, covering open source language models, CK, AI models, ZK co-processor projects, friend tech boom, hardware teams, optimizing proving systems for H100 architecture, and ZK and ID for proving actions and establishing reputation.

Ulrich Haböck, an applied cryptographer at Polygon Labs, talks about his journey into applied zero-knowledge cryptography, his breakthrough research on Multivariate lookups with logUp, and his innovative approaches to STARKs over finite fields. They discuss FRI low degree test, logarithmic derivative lookups using GKR, and the advantages of the Mer Senn 31 Prime. A deep dive into the complexities and breakthroughs in applied cryptography.

Ulvetanna's co-founders, Jim Posen and Radi Cojbasic, discuss the origin story of Ulvetanna and their work on the ZK hardware/software intersection. They delve into Binius, their new proving system optimized for hardware, which draws on recent breakthroughs in SNARKs. Topics include smaller fields, new lookup arguments, multilinear provers, and recursive composition in SNARKs.

Anna and Kobi chat with Kostas Kryptos about the zkLogin project and Aayush Gupta about the ZK Email + Email Wallet projects. They discuss web2 onboarding into web3, the solutions each project came up with, and future use cases. Topics include simplifying onboarding process with Google, the role of salt in privacy on the blockchain, building ZK Email and privacy on chain, RSA signatures in email circuits, and comparing similar solutions.

This week, Anna catches up with Tarun Chitra and Sreeram Kannan during a spontaneous session recorded at Devconnect 2023 in Istanbul! They cover a variety of topics seen at the event, including zk toolkits, intents and Data Availability, shedding light on how these ideas are reshaping the framework of digital interaction and governance. Their chat covers the challenges and opportunities these technologies present, highlighting their significance in the current ecosystem. Later, they explore the complexities and nuances of EigenLayer, offering detailed insights into its functionalities, applications, and potential impact on the industry. Here’s some additional links for this episode:ZK Hack IRL Istanbul wrap article ZK Hack Tweet announcing the winners. Sign up here for ZK Hack IV Online updates EigenLayer EigenLayer: The Restaking Collective by EigenLayer Team Parachains' Protocol Overview - reference to Fishermen Episode 217: Information Theory & Blockchain with Sreeram Kannan ZK7: Hyperscale Data Availability for ZK Systems - Sreeram Kanan - UoW / Layr Labs Sreeram Kannan - Introducing Programmable Trust + EigenLayer RoadmapAleo is a new Layer-1 blockchain that achieves the programmability of Ethereum, the privacy of Zcash, and the scalability of a rollup.As Aleo is gearing up for their mainnet launch in Q4, this is an invitation to be part of a transformational ZK journey. Dive deeper and discover more about Aleo at aleo.orgIf you like what we do:Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | LinktreeSubscribe to our podcast newsletter Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm Join us on Telegram Catch us on YouTube Read transcript

In this episode, the host reflects on the journey of the Zero Knowledge podcast and the growth of the ZK community. They discuss finding a bug in the sprout version of Zcash and the consequences of a Zcash hack. The chapter also explores the changes in the podcast, reflects on past episodes, and touches on various topics covered, including teaching Zero Knowledge Proofs and upcoming topics like hardware and data availability.

Anna chats with Alex Gluchowski, CEO of Matter Labs & co-creator of zkSync network. They discuss recent initiatives like ZK Stack, Hyperchains, ZK Credo mission statement, and the upcoming Boojum proof system upgrade. They explore challenges in building zkSync, decentralization, bridge projects, and utilizing Ethereum blockchain for data security. They delve into hyperchains, language implementation, the popularity of zkSync, and its future vision.

CTO Brandon Kase and Head of Product Steve Pack from O(1)Labs discuss developments in the Mina Protocol, insights into the zkApps building environment, and the technical aspects of o1js. They also explore potential applications of zero-knowledge proofs and the industry shift toward a builder-centric approach.

In this week’s episode, Anna and Nico interview Or Sattath, Assistant Professor at the Ben-Gurion University in the Computer Science department. This is the 2nd episode with Or on this show, continuing the conversation around Quantum Cryptography. This time, he describes how we can transition from a pre-quantum to a post-quantum environment, looking at existing systems like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He covers why the methods used in the transition will be important, techniques on how this could be executed and the challenges in designing these techniques and the complications that can arise. Finally, they go on to discuss Quantum Money and recent works in this area.Here’s some additional links for this episode:Part 1 - Episode 288: Quantum Cryptography with Or Sattath Polynomial-Time Algorithms for Prime Factorization and Discrete Logarithms on a Quantum Computer by Shor Shor’s Algorithm Grover’s Algorithm A fast quantum mechanical algorithm for database search by Grover Fawkescoin: A cryptocurrency without public-key cryptography by Bonneau and Miller Bitcoin is not quantum-safe, and how we can fix it when needed by ButerinCryptographic canaries and backups by Justin Drake Notes and recommended links by Or Sattath:NIST post-quantum standardization for post-quantum digital signatures and public-key encryption (or, more precisely, Key Encapsulation Mechanism, KEM). These are classical schemes that, unlike almost all the existing schemes that are used in practice, are secure against quantum adversaries.Signature Lifting (arXiv link) is discussed as a technique to migrate to post-quantum signatures, especially for those who didn't prepare in advance. Here's a recommended Twitter thread summarizing the results by Shai Wyborski, Or’s co-author.An approach to upgrade Bitcoin to quantum money is available here. This uses a cryptographic primitive which is called quantum lightning, which was introduced here.Some smart contacts capabilities can be supported as well. This construction is based on one-shot signatures, which isdiscussed in some detail during the interview. The bottom line of this work is that we can have the most important utility that Bitcoin provides, without the need for a blockchain, or any other consensus mechanism. Uncloneable cryptography was discussed during the interview. Quantum encryption with certified deletion was discussed as an interesting example of a property that can be achieved only in quantum cryptography.Applications are now open to attend zkHack Istanbul - Nov 10-12! Apply here: https://www.zkistanbul.com/ Aleo is a new Layer-1 blockchain that achieves the programmability of Ethereum, the privacy of Zcash, and the scalability of a rollup.As Aleo is gearing up for their mainnet launch in Q4, this is an invitation to be part of a transformational ZK journey. Dive deeper and discover more about Aleo at aleo.org If you like what we do:Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | LinktreeSubscribe to our podcast newsletter Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm Join us on Telegram Catch us on YouTube Read transcript

In this week’s episode, Anna and Nico catch up with Brian Retford and Jeremy Bruestle from RISC Zero. They delve into the current status of the project, breaking down the components of the stack, from the RISC Zero zkVM leveraging the RISC-V instruction set architecture to the Bonsai proving service and their new zkEVM, Zeth. They also touch on their design methodology, how the system components integrate and future developments for RISC Zero.Here’s some additional resources for this episode:RISC Zero Developer Guide: Rust Resources RISC Zero GitHub: Rust CratesUsing Continuations to Prove Any EVM TransactionRISC-V Website https://zkbench.devEpisode 251: Exploring RISC Zero with Brian Retford and Jeremy BruestleZK9: Future ZK Emerging Use Cases and Key Enablers – Brian Retford (RISC Zero) ZK Hack Lisbon: Creating Zero-Knowledge Proofs with RISC Zero Applications are now open to attend zkHack Istanbul - Nov 10-12! Apply here: https://www.zkistanbul.com/ Launching soon, Namada is a proof-of-stake L1 blockchain focused on multichain, asset-agnostic privacy, via a unified shielded set. Namada is natively interoperable with fast-finality chains via IBC, and with Ethereum using a trust-minimised bridge.Follow Namada on Twitter @namada for more information and join the community on Discord discord.gg/namada If you like what we do:Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | LinktreeSubscribe to our podcast newsletter Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm Join us on Telegram Catch us on YouTube Read transcript