Ethereum now has privacy thanks to zero-knowledge proof technologies, specifically zk-STARKs. But before we can assess zk-STARKs, it is important to define a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP).
Understanding the Basics of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)
A ZKP is a cryptographic technique that enables a prover to confirm another person’s assertion without disclosing any supporting data. zk-STARKs and zk-SNARKs are two of the most compelling zero-knowledge technologies available today, standing for zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge and zero-knowledge scalable transparent argument of knowledge, respectively. These technologies allow one party to demonstrate their knowledge to another without actually revealing the knowledge, making them both scaling technologies, as they can enable faster proof verification, and privacy-enhancing technologies, as they reduce the amount of information shared between users.
zk-STARKs, specifically, enable users to communicate validated data or carry out computations with a third party without the other party knowing the data or results of the analysis. They are an advancement over zk-SNARKs because of their reduced algorithmic complexity, making them easier for even crypto experts to find mistakes in. These types of knowledge testing tools are primarily used to build highly private and secure systems that are decentralized and can only be accessed under specific, difficult-to-obtain conditions, such as those found in cryptocurrencies. These systems not only secure the network but also protect and anonymize users.
Comparing zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs
There are a few main differences between zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs. Firstly, zk-SNARKs require a reliable configuration phase, while zk-STARKs create verifiable computing systems without trust using publicly verifiable randomness. Secondly, zk-STARKs are more scalable in terms of speed and computational size when compared to zk-SNARKs. And thirdly, zk-SNARKs are vulnerable to attack by quantum computers, while zk-STARKs are currently immune. However, it is important to note that STARKs have larger proof sizes than SNARKs, meaning they take longer to verify and require more gas. In addition, the STARKs developer community is smaller and has less documentation compared to SNARKs.
Support from the Developer Community
Despite these differences, both the SNARKs and STARKs communities have support from developers. The Ethereum Foundation, in particular, has shown support for Starkware, a company using STARKs, by awarding them a $12 million grant. While documentation for STARKs is currently less comprehensive than that for SNARKs, the technical community has recently created more resources for those interested in the technology.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
When it comes to cryptocurrencies and altcoins, there are a huge range of diverse crypto offerings, each offering unique value in its own way. While mainstream attention continues to be directed towards altcoins such as Ethereum and Ripple, privacy coin Zcash (ZEC) is an intriguing alternative that is flying under the radar of many investors.
Here is a rundown of Zcash and how it is using Wrapped and Anchorage to increase its functionality while maintaining the privacy and security benefits that it already offers.
Zcash, based on Bitcoin’s codebase, is an altcoin that was initially released in 2016, and shares many similarities to Bitcoin. With this being said, the areas in which it differs are in regard to privacy and anonymity.
Zcash offers enhanced privacy through its ability to offer two types of addresses – those that are transparent, and those that are shielded. With shielded accounts, while Zcash transaction data is still posted to a blockchain that is public, personal and transaction data remain confidential. This is achieved through zero knowledge proofs, which allow for verified transactions without information such as transaction amount, sender and receiver.
Wrapped, which is a partnership between Anchorage and Tokensoft, launched WZEC as their first asset in late 2020. In understanding how wrapped Zcash is providing value, it is important to understand the idea of wrapping a token.
Essentially, wrapping a token involves representing a blockchain asset on another blockchain – with the example of Bitcoin, it would involve issuing a BTC equivalent on the Ethereum blockchain network. This exists in the form of wrapped bitcoin (WBTC). Wrapped tokens are backed on a 1:1 basis with the cryptocurrency upon which they were based, and need to be held in reserve by a qualified custodian.
Wrapped Zcash follows this same process, and as a result provides a number of benefits which are in many ways unprecedented.
When it comes to the benefits of wrapped Zcash as opposed to ZEC, the functionality of this altcoin is dramatically shifted with WZEC.
Put simply, shielded Zcash holders can now use their Zcash whilst keeping their information private. They can now keep their assets in a shielded account, and are able to privately use a fraction of them on Ethereum blockchain by wrapping these assets. This addition means that Zcash users can benefit from the best of both crypto privacy and functionality.
In addition to this added capability, WZEC also provides benefits in regard to regulation – this is because wrapping Zcash on the Tokensoft platform results in a know-your-customer (KYC) process for shielded ZEC, in addition to the fact that ZEC holders need to be on the same page as Anchorage in terms of their compliance as qualified custodians.
Finally, it allows ZEC holders to invest and make transactions within the various Dapps built on Ethereum.
When it comes to cryptocurrency in 2021, the growing demand for crypto is bringing with it an increase in the demand for safety, security and privacy in making transactions and using crypto assets.
While it was once not an option for shielded ZEC to be traded on crypto exchanges, WZEC makes this functionality a reality. Essentially, Wrapped is creating a crypto offering that includes the best of privacy and usability.
This is a product that is catering to a growing audience of crypto enthusiasts and investors, whether retail or institutional, and is a contributing factor to the increasing price of ZEC – 2020 saw huge increases in ZEC value, and this growth has so far continued into 2021.
While cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are popular within the wider crypto community, their shortcomings in regard to privacy are meaning that more and more investors with concerns regarding privacy are beginning to consider crypto offerings such as Zcash – with this being said, only time will tell whether ZEC ends up as a success.
Author Bio:
Chelsea Rogers is a marketing student and freelance writer for Current.com.au based in Melbourne, Australia. She is passionate about growing her crypto and finance portfolios. She is an avid music lover and regularly performs at local venues with her band.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
Do you want to open a Pivx wallet?
You are in the right place, as we at HolyTransaction decided to add this cryptocurrency among the 16 crypto available on our multicurrency wallet.
So from now on, you can store Pivx on Holytransaction, transfer them to any other wallet, and make crypto-to-crypto transfers from/to Pivx, and ten more cryptocurrency’s networks.
All HolyTransaction customers can create a new address for their own Pivx Wallet and use the user-friendly HolyTransaction Wallet platform to send and receive transactions or to instantly convert them to any other cryptocurrency we currently support.
Just like Bitcoin and all the other supported cryptocurrencies, you can now:
If you are not able to see your newest Pivx Wallet, you just need to click on the “plus” button on the top right of the balance page, once you successfully login into your own wallet.
Pivx (PIVX) is the acronym for Private Instant Verifiable Transaction.
The main goal of PIVX is to achieve near instant private transactions and a governance that helps sustain the network for the benefit of all of the users involved.
PIVX is an open source, privacy-focused, Proof of Stake crypto-currency. PIVX utilizes Proof of Stake 3.0 and an innovative Seesaw reward mechanism that dynamically balances 90% of its block reward between Masternodes and Staking nodes with the remaining 10% used for budgeting. The budget and protocol are managed through a decentralized governance system.
So, do you want to open your Pivx wallet? Click here.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.