StarkWare Debuts Zero-Knowledge Prover Stwo
StarkWare introduces Stwo, a next-generation, open-sourced zero-knowledge prover, promising to revolutionize blockchain scalability by reducing latency and transaction costs.
In a significant stride towards blockchain scalability and efficiency, StarkWare has recently unveiled Stwo, a cutting-edge prover based on zero-knowledge (ZK) technology. This groundbreaking development is set to reduce proving latency and transaction fees for end users, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain technology.
Stwo emerges as an advanced iteration of StarkWare’s first-generation prover, Stone, and represents a significant technological leap. Built on the innovative Circle Stark protocol, developed in collaboration with Polygon, Stwo transcends the limitations of the classic STARK protocol. This enhancement enables more efficient use of STARKs, especially in smaller fields, a constraint that previously hindered their optimal utilization.
The introduction of Stwo is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift in blockchain scalability. By generating cryptographic proofs more swiftly, Stwo aims to compress transactions on Starknet, thereby reducing StarkWare’s processing costs. This efficiency gain is expected to trickle down to users in the form of lower fees, as highlighted in a recent press release.
Oren Katz, the COO of StarkWare, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of Stwo, stating,
Stwo will bring new possibilities for scaling. And they’ll be available for everyone, given that it will be open-source from Day 1.
This open-source approach under the Apache 2.0 license not only fosters innovation but also democratizes access to this advanced technology, allowing developers to fork, modify, and distribute the software.
Zero-knowledge proofs, the technology underpinning Stwo, enable users to prove specific information to another party without revealing the information itself. This cryptographic protocol is at the heart of privacy-preserving technologies, which are gaining traction across various applications.
Starknet, powered by StarkWare’s Starknet ZK-rollup, stands as the fourth-largest layer 2 solution, boasting a total value locked (TVL) of $1.33 billion. As the largest ZK rollup by TVL, Starknet exemplifies the potential of ZK technology in enhancing blockchain networks’ efficiency and scalability.
Looking ahead, StarkWare is committed to fully open-sourcing the Starknet stack, aligning with its vision for a decentralized, permissionless layer-2 blockchain network. This move underscores StarkWare’s dedication to transparency and community-driven development.
The launch of Stwo by StarkWare is more than a technological advancement; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and open-source innovation in pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology. As developers and users alike begin to explore the capabilities of Stwo, the blockchain landscape is set for a transformative shift towards greater efficiency, scalability, and inclusivity.
