Father of Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Eli Ben-Sasson on Bitcoin's Privacy and Future
In the world of cryptocurrency, Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK) technology is emerging as the key to solving privacy and scalability issues. Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, and co-founder of Zcash, is a pioneering practitioner of ZK technology. In an interview at the Binance Conference, he delved into Bitcoin's original design intent, the quantum computing threat, and how ZK can make Bitcoin even greater.
Eli Ben-Sasson: A mathematical genius who brought ZK from academia to the real world.
Bitcoin's Transparency: Not a Design Feature, But a Limitation
Eli firmly believes that Bitcoin's full transparency (anyone can track transactions) was not Satoshi Nakamoto's original intent, but rather a technological limitation at the time.
Satoshi suggested reusing addresses in the whitepaper to protect privacy and stated on forums: "If ZK technology had existed then, it could have solved Bitcoin's anonymity problem."
Eli's bold inference: "I'm 100% sure that the reason Satoshi disappeared is that if he were still around, he would have come forward and pushed for adding ZK to Bitcoin."
The mysterious figure of Satoshi Nakamoto — Bitcoin's creator might have embraced ZK if still active.
Bitcoin blockchain's transparency makes transactions as clear as glass, but it also raises privacy concerns.
The Simplest Explanation of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK)
Eli uses a classic analogy to explain ZK:
"Imagine paying the bill at a restaurant. You get a receipt listing all items and the total. This receipt is a 'proof' that convinces you the total is correct because you can add it up yourself."
"A ZK proof is like the same receipt, but with all items blacked out — only the total remains. You still believe the total is correct (thanks to mathematical proof), without seeing any details."
That's the magic of ZK: Proving something is valid without revealing private information.
ZK proof diagram: Hiding details while preserving full proof power.
ZK Solves Both Privacy and Scalability Simultaneously
Bitcoin relies on full-network verification of every transaction, leading to low TPS and inability to become a global economic foundation. ZK not only provides privacy but also dramatically improves scalability, enabling explosive growth in a Bitcoin-principled economy.
Eli's StarkWare and Starknet are built with this mission in mind.
Starknet architecture diagram: How ZK technology brings scale and privacy to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
zk-SNARKs vs zk-STARKs comparison — StarkWare's STARKs are more transparent and post-quantum secure.
Quantum Computing Threat: Don't Panic, But Act Now
Quantum computers can use Shor's algorithm to crack current Bitcoin encryption, potentially stealing funds. This risk has been known for 30 years.
But Eli is optimistic: "Like the Y2K bug, preparing in advance can prevent the problem." The Bitcoin community already has proposals like BIP-360 in progress.
Good news: StarkWare's ZK-STARKs are inherently post-quantum secure.
Quantum computer hardware: IBM and Google's quantum devices are advancing rapidly.
Post-quantum encryption diagram: A sturdy lock resistant to quantum attacks.
Future Vision: The Integrity Web
Eli's ultimate dream goes beyond transaction privacy — building an "Integrity Web":
Individuals fully control their credit history, reputation, and data. Using ZK to prove "I've paid debts on time" without exposing details. No need to rely on banks or platforms; you truly "own your life."
He calls on Bitcoin holders to participate in Starknet BTC staking: Non-custodial, earning yield while expanding the Bitcoin economy.
Eli is not a Bitcoin critic but a loyal advocate. He believes that with minor improvements (like adding OP_CAT — just 9 lines of code), Bitcoin can integrate ZK and become greater than ever.
This interview is not just technical discussion but profound insight into the future of cryptocurrency. ZK technology is quietly changing everything.
Vision of blockchain privacy and the Integrity Web: A future where you own your digital life.
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