In today’s digital world, the ease of access to information with just a click is impressive. However, this instant convenience comes at a cost. Privacy has always been compromised in the lure of such conveniences. With a few clicks, users share sensitive information that could harm their user identity or cause huge financial loss. This is not unique in the internet world. Blockchain, known for transparency & security, also faces privacy challenges. Public blockchain networks are transparent, allowing anyone to view all transactions. This transparency makes it easier to trace transactions and infer behavior patterns, thus compromising privacy. This privacy challenge can be addressed simply with zero-knowledge proofs (used by ZK-Rollup).
Zero-knowledge proof techniques including ZK-SNARK and ZK-STARK are a formidable solution to combat the blockchain privacy challenges In this blog, we will learn about zero-knowledge proof techniques as well as the detailed compassion of ZK-SNARK vs ZK-STARK.
An Overview of Zero Knowledge Proof
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) is a concept introduced in 1985 that validates the claim without disclosing any details about the statement itself. ZKPs consist of two parties - the prover and the verifier. The role of the prover is to establish a claim while the verifier validates the claim. The prover provides proof or a small amount of information that is further verified by the verifier to ensure that the statement is accurate.
Proof of knowledge is one of the examples of zero-knowledge proof where the prover demonstrates that they know a specific value without revealing the value itself. In the case of proof of identity, another example of ZKPs, the prover proves their identity without disclosing any personal information.
Advantages of Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Understanding ZK-SNARK and ZK-STARK
What is ZK-SNARK?
ZK-SNARK or Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge is a cryptographic proof that enables one party to validate information without going through lengthy repetitive computations and disclosing that information. Several cryptocurrencies in the crypto world lack privacy. The ZK-SNARK implementation addresses this problem effectively.
Key Features
What is ZK-STARK?
ZK-STARK, or Zero Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge, shares similarities with ZK-SNARK, except that it offers a myriad of advantages, such as heightened scalability and transparency, and robust defense mechanisms against security threats without compromising the computational integrity.
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Key Features
ZK-SNARK vs ZK-STARK- Key Differences
A trusted setup is required during ZK-SNARK implementation, which involves creating CRS or Common Reference String. Any malicious attack on this setup data could generate false proofs. The solution to address this challenge is the MPC ceremony which relies on honest participants. On the other hand, ZK-STARK doesn’t require such setups, making it highly quantum-resistant and more resilient against potential threats.
The dependency on the Common Reference String and the trust required among participants make ZK-SNARK less transparent. In contrast, ZK-STARK is more transparent due to its reliance on public randomness to establish parameters that ensure open and trustless verification.
Both ZK-SNARK and ZK-SARK offer a high scalability for blockchains. ZK-SNARKs scale linearly with the size of the underlying computation, whereas ZK-STARKs have larger proof sizes that make them ideal for larger computations.
The compact proof sizes and reliable verification times of ZK-SNARKs render them ideal for various applications, such as privacy coins, identity verification, and decentralized finance (DeFi). On the other hand, the transparency and scalability advantages offered by ZK-STARKs position them as an optimal choice for layer 2 solutions.
Conclusion
ZK-SNARK and ZK-STARK are popular terms in the crypto sphere. They are well-renowned for their exceptional features and benefits, primarily maximizing privacy, becoming the reason behind the widespread adoption of these cryptographic technologies. The ZK-SNARKs vs ZK-STARKs difference highlights its importance in different aspects.
Blockchain professionals at Antier understand how both cryptographic techniques are different and hence, employ them smartly for increased security, privacy, and scalability for blockchain. Antier provides clients with the best cryptography and layer 2 solutions development support that can drive innovation and growth. Initiate a conversation with Antier’s proficient team to learn more about the company and its services.
