The zero-knowledge space is rapidly gaining traction as privacy becomes a critical concern due to the daily news of data breaches that expose personal information to malicious actors. With the exponential growth of data collection and the increasing reliance on cloud services and decentralized technologies, individuals and organizations are seeking ways to protect sensitive information without compromising functionality. Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) offer a potential solution by enabling one party to prove the validity of information to another without revealing the actual data itself.
This technology is particularly valuable for companies and institutions where privacy is critical. Due to the nature of the data they handle, FinTech banking and financial services, retail and e-commerce businesses, healthcare organizations, and other companies that manage individuals’ personal information are common targets. As a result, the demand for privacy-preserving technologies like zero-knowledge proofs continues to rise, marking their importance in creating a more secure and trusted digital ecosystem.
In 2015, we began working with zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and performing security audits of products and projects utilizing ZKPs in 2018. Recently, we completed the audit of Plonky3– Polygon’s toolkit for implementing polynomial IOPs (PIOPs) [SZ20], such as Permutations over Lagrange-bases for Oecumenical Non Interactive arguments of Knowledge (PLONK) [GWC19] and zero-knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (STARKs). Polygon’s Plonky3 codebase consists of different cryptographic building blocks (such as fields, hash functions, polynomial commitment schemes, and others) that can be combined into STARKs.
We’ve accomplished a great deal to advance and promote the use of zero-knowledge proofs through the years. Today, we continue to implement ZKPs in our products and provide educational resources, such as the MoonMath Manual. Our secure and end-to-end encrypted data synchronization application, PrivateStorage, utilizes zero-knowledge access passes (ZKAPs) for users to purchase ‘storage-time’. This allows us to disconnect the personal data when accepting payments from the service usage data as users interact with their data in PrivateStorage.
Our contributions to the zero-knowledge community have been driven by a strong commitment to advancing privacy-preserving technologies through active participation in industry events. In May 2024, we had the privilege of hosting the live stream of ZconV from our office in Berlin, helping bring the insights of this pivotal event to a wider global audience. Later that same month, we sponsored the ZK Hack Meetup during Berlin Blockchain Week, further fostering collaboration and innovation in the zero-knowledge space. In August, we supported DWeb Camp by providing personnel to live stream the event and also took a leadership role by leading a panel discussion on “Balancing Privacy and Transparency in Decentralized AI” – an issue central to the future of decentralized systems. Through these contributions, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in privacy tech, providing platforms for discussion, education, and growth.
In September, we are proud to host the relaunch of Berlin Crypto, an event dedicated to fostering dialogue around cryptography, which is a foundational component of zero-knowledge technologies. Cryptography plays a crucial role in enabling zero-knowledge proofs by securing sensitive information and ensuring that data can be validated without being exposed. This relaunch is an opportunity to bring together experts, developers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in cryptographic techniques and discover new opportunities in the Berlin tech scene.
Looking ahead, our commitment to the zero-knowledge community remains steadfast. We will continue to attend and support key industry events, furthering our engagement and collaboration with others who share our vision for privacy and security. Additionally, we will keep refining and updating the MoonMath Manual, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for developers and researchers in the field. Our advocacy for the use of zero-knowledge technology will also continue, as we promote products and services that prioritize privacy and security, believing that these innovations are essential to building a more trusted and secure digital world.
As we continue to contribute to the growth of the zero-knowledge community, we encourage you, our readers, to actively seek out and support products and services that prioritize privacy through zero-knowledge technology. Whether you’re a consumer or a developer, advocating for privacy-enhancing solutions can make a significant impact. Talk to your employers about considering the adoption of zero-knowledge where it can be applied, especially in areas where security and privacy are critical. Lastly, get involved by attending workshops and events to stay informed about emerging trends and the future direction of zero-knowledge. Your participation is essential in driving the adoption of this transformative technology.