Strange Water Podcast

Guest: Uma Roy (Twitter: @pumatheuma) Host: Rex Kirshner (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) In every builder's career, there's a common experience of getting caught up in implementation details while solving complex problems, leading to the creation of custom tools or thoughtless architectures. The realization that others likely face the same challenges prompts some developers to invest time in creating tools that not only make their own development easier but can also benefit other developers. Uma Roy, the co-founder and CEO of Succinct Labs, recognized an opportunity in the field of zero-knowledge cryptography (ZK) and founded a company aiming to simplify ZK development. Succinct Labs functions as a "Foundry for ZK," abstracting away the complexities of advanced cryptography to provide developers with a modular platform for building applications without delving into post-doc-level mathematics.

Guest: Marcello Bardus (Twitter: @0xMarcello) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) In the current stage of Ethereum's development, we are confident that Ethereum will scale with the rollup-centric roadmap, envisioning various blockchains connected to the Ethereum mainnet. However, challenges arise in coordinating communication among these Layer 2 solutions (L2s). The discussion introduces Marcello Bardus, co-founder of Herodotus, a service aiming to provide developers and decentralized applications with tools to directly access and verify blockchain states, challenging the need for oracles in achieving trustlessness. The episode explores the implications of this approach for the industry, from enabling new applications to the evolution of prover markets in the realm of cryptography and distributed computing.

Guest: Sydney Huang (Twitter: @0xSydney) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) The Ethereum ecosystem has been predominantly centered around the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) since its inception in 2014. However, after nine years, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative approaches. Solana, a blockchain emphasizing speed and efficiency, has gained traction with its Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), offering a different environment for innovation. The Eclipse Foundation, represented by today’s guest Sydney Huang, challenges the conventional thinking around Ethereum Layer 2 solutions. They are actively working on developing the first Ethereum Layer 2 that utilizes the Solana Virtual Machine. The conversation explores the motivations and intricacies behind Eclipse's initiative, challenging the prevailing notion of Ethereum-like computing environments for Layer 2 solutions.

Guest: David Wong (Twitter: @cryptodavidw) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) The growing significance of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) cryptography in the upcoming cycle is becoming more and more obvious, evident in the increasing number of startups securing funding for ZK-related projects. However, navigating the complexities of ZK involves not only advanced mathematics but also addressing challenges within the smart contract paradigm. The interview features David Wong, co-founder of ZK Security, an auditing and consulting firm specializing in ZK applications. Wong discusses the difficulties in securing ZK-based systems, emphasizing the scarcity of resources and the unique vulnerabilities introduced by zero-knowledge cryptography. The episode explores fundamental questions about the purpose and potential impact of ZK, emphasizing its transformative role in technology and inviting contemplation on future applications.

Guest: Charles Cooper (Twitter: @big_tech_sux) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) Charles Cooper, a core developer of Vyper, an alternative language for Ethereum, highlights the possibility of translating a new language into the same bytecode as Solidity to address its limitations. Understanding programming languages' functioning and their design's impact on developers' capabilities is a central theme in their conversation. The critical takeaway is that effective communication of programming intentions is vital for builders. The choice of tools, such as programming languages, significantly influences this communication.

Guest: Carl Beekhuizen (Twitter: @CarlBeek) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) The core decision in Ethereum's decentralization revolves around the minimum computer requirements for running its software, impacting its capacity and accessibility. In response to this challenge, a strategy called Danksharding is introduced as a technical upgrade aiming to address Ethereum's limitations. This upgrade involves intricate engineering and advanced cryptography, led by Carl Beekhuizen, known for his involvement in the KZG Trusted Setup Ceremony. The discussion surrounding Danksharding delves into its technicalities and implications, aiming to prepare builders for a more robust Ethereum system, ultimately contributing to its evolution as the "World Computer." Additional Resources: Danksharding KZG Commitments KZG Trusted Setups

Guest: Joey Santoro (Twitter: @joeysantoroETH) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) Today’s guest is Joey Santoro, a prominent figure in the De-Fi 2.0 era. The primary focus of the discussion revolves around ERC-4626, a specification accepted by the Ethereum community, now integrated into the Ethereum protocol. ERC-4626 holds significance as a tool necessary for Joey's FEI protocol, reflecting a community-driven contribution to Ethereum's standards. Beyond discussing the history, challenges, and future of ERC-4626, the conversation aims to highlight the ethos of directly enhancing Ethereum by contributing to its development. It underscores the essence of Ethereum's decentralized community and how such collaborations shape its evolution and practical implications.

Guest: Jason Morton (Twitter: @jasonmorton) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) In the realm of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) cryptography, where the challenge of building a functional product is immense and even a minor mistake can result in significant consequences, Jason Morton is developing EZKL. EZKL aims to simplify the implementation of ZK cryptography, allowing developers to focus on building applications instead of delving into complex mathematical theories. It achieves this by taking a high-level program description and generating the necessary components for ZK verification. This episode discusses the resurgence of interest in ZK, outlines the workings of EZKL, and explores the broader implications of ZK technology in shaping the future.

Guest: Superphiz (Twitter: @Superphiz) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) The Ethereum community is currently immersed in many dramatic developments, and yet amidst all this, one critical concern remains constant: the preservation of decentralization, particularly in the core Ethereum protocol. While Ethereum is mostly decentralized now, the risk of centralization threatens its credibility as a neutral global platform. Today’s guest is Superphiz, a long-standing figure in the crypto space, is a prominent advocate for decentralized staking and a guest in the discussion, emphasizing the significance of decentralization for Ethereum's future. The conversation delves into the importance of decentralization, the challenges it faces, and the need to combat centralizing threats within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Guest: ChainLinkGod (Twitter: @ChainLinkGod) Host: Rex (Twitter: @LogarithmicRex) The security of Ethereum and similar smart contract-based blockchains is attributed to their isolation from the external internet, which minimizes digital vulnerabilities. However, this security comes at the cost of limiting the capabilities of smart contracts to self-referential and uninteresting applications within the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). To bridge this gap and connect these blockchains to the outside world, oracles were introduced. Oracles are services that bring real-world data into the EVM, enabling smart contracts to access external information and trigger off-chain actions. This technology raises questions about oracle reliability, incentives, and the potential for connecting different blockchains, eliminating the need to distinguish between them. In this podcast episode, ChainLinkGod discusses these topics and ChainLink's role in enabling a hyper-connected Ethereum.