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StarkWare Aims to Scale Bitcoin with Zero-Knowledge Rollups
StarkWare, the company behind Ethereum’s StarkNet and StarkEx, is now looking to enhance Bitcoin’s capabilities using zero-knowledge rollups. In a recent announcement, the Israeli-based firm unveiled a $1 million research and development fund dedicated to this ambitious project.
“Bitcoin today is mighty, but still a fraction of what it can be—I want to see the full works,” said Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO and co-founder of StarkWare. “Scale Bitcoin and we unleash blockchain’s power to transform the world.”
The Vision for Bitcoin and Ethereum
The core of this scaling solution lies in StarkNet, a decentralized rollup for Ethereum that significantly reduces transaction costs. By implementing zero-knowledge proofs on Bitcoin, StarkWare aims to bring the same level of scalability to the world’s leading cryptocurrency.
Key to this endeavor is the restoration of OP_CAT, a command within the Bitcoin blockchain that enables developers to impose spending conditions. This functionality could pave the way for automated payments and reversible transactions on Bitcoin.
“We’re supporting OP_CAT because we believe Bitcoin should play a more central role in society,” Ben-Sasson explained. “The OP_CAT Bitcoin soft fork is the safest path for Bitcoin to scale, notably enabling STARK and rollups.”
StarkWare’s Commitment to Cryptographic Integrity
StarkWare, valued at $8 billion, has historically focused on Ethereum but is now exploring opportunities across various blockchains. Ben-Sasson emphasized the importance of staying true to Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision for Bitcoin.
“The STARK cryptography we are proposing can deliver everything Satoshi envisioned,” Ben-Sasson stated. “This must happen in a manner that is loyal to Satoshi’s original vision, upholding values like trustlessness and decentralization.”
By leveraging their experience with Ethereum, StarkWare aims to deploy STARK scaling on Bitcoin, revolutionizing the capabilities of the network. The company also plans to provide open-source code for the community to explore.
Looking Towards the Future
Ben-Sasson expressed his belief in the transformative power of crypto, particularly in reshaping finance and digital integrity. By focusing on scaling Bitcoin, StarkWare hopes to empower individuals and reduce dependence on big tech.
“Crypto can clean up the digital world and finance,” Ben-Sasson emphasized. “Scaling Bitcoin is essential to unleashing blockchain’s power and transforming the world.”
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