Company
Date Published
Author
Chainlink
Word count
1268
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Zero-knowledge proof technologies, such as SNARKs and STARKs, enable one party to prove the truth of a statement to another without revealing additional information, offering significant benefits for privacy and scalability in blockchain applications. SNARKs, which stand for Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge, require a trusted setup ceremony that can be a security concern, but they are praised for their efficiency and speed in verification. Conversely, STARKs, or Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge, do not require a trusted setup, enhancing their security profile, although they may be less efficient due to larger proof sizes and longer verification times. STARKs' use of hash functions contributes to their quantum resistance, whereas SNARKs have a longer history of adoption in the blockchain space. Both technologies are pivotal in advancing the scalability and privacy of blockchain systems, facilitating new use cases and innovations.