StarkWare Launch $1M Fund to Unlock ZK Scaling for BTC and Ether

As an analyst with a background in blockchain technology and a deep appreciation for the potential of cryptocurrencies to transform the global financial landscape, I am excited about StarkWare’s recent announcement of a $1 million research fund dedicated to exploring Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology and its role in scaling Bitcoin and Ethereum.


StarkWare announces a bold $1 million research program, dedicated to advancing the investigation into Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology and its capability to concurrently enhance the scalability of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

As a researcher focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, I’m excited about the potential of OP_CAT, a cutting-edge proposal currently under review within the Bitcoin community. By harnessing the power of zero-knowledge proofs, specifically StarkWare’s innovative Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (STARK) cryptography, this initiative promises to usher in an era of unprecedented scalability for blockchain networks.

Bitcoin’s biggest challenge is scalability. StarkWare has a vision to change that.

The concept of STARK scaling for blockchains was first introduced by @EliBenSasson at a Bitcoin conference in early 2013.

It’s now time to scale Bitcoin with ZK-STARK, making it more accessible…

— StarkWare 🐺🐱 (@StarkWareLtd) June 4, 2024

Empowering Global Accessibility and Micropayments

StarkWare’s goal is to bring Satoshi Nakamoto’s idea of effortless micropayments and a universal, inclusive digital economy to life. According to Eli Ben-Sasson, StarkWare’s CEO and co-creator of the fraud-proof ZK cryptography, this mission is of great importance. He emphasized, “Cryptocurrency has the power to purify the digital realm and finance. It can restore trust in money and redistribute power within our society.”

If the OP_CAT proposal is endorsed by the Bitcoin community, StarkWare is poised to swiftly integrate its STARK scaling solution onto the blockchain. Ben-Sasson is certain that the technology can be readied for testing and widespread adoption within six months of approval, and it might even be possible to accomplish this ahead of schedule.

Despite the existence of potential obstacles, StarkWare continues to actively seek out backup plans. Ben-Sasson suggested possible alternatives, implying, “If OP_CAT isn’t granted approval, we are investigating methods to provide STARK scalability without it, thereby paving the way for a viable workaround.”

StarkWare’s endeavor goes beyond just one blockchain community. According to Ben-Sasson, they are not limited to Ethereum but focused on scaling up various decentralized networks. This perspective reflects their dedication to promoting collaboration across different ecosystems and enhancing the scalability of pioneering platforms like Bitcoin.

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2024-06-04 20:05