Zero-knowledge proofs are emerging as a breakthrough solution to blockchain’s scalability limitations. Two competing standards—SNARKs and STARKs—offer different approaches to increasing transaction throughput while maintaining security. This technical race is already fueling real-world implementations by startups like zkSync and StarkEx.
about ZK Proofs: SNARKs vs STARKs in Blockchain Scaling RaceStarkWare
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekCFTC Scraps Outdated Crypto Delivery Rules, Boosts Exchange Flexibility
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has formally rescinded its 2020 guidance on the ‘actual delivery’ of cryptocurrencies in commodity transactions, a move hailed by industry leaders as a significant step toward regulatory clarity and operational flexibility for digital asset exchanges. Acting Chairman Caroline Pham announced the decision, framing it as a direct alignment with the Biden administration’s goal of removing punitive and innovation-stifling rules in the crypto sector.
about CFTC Scraps Outdated Crypto Delivery Rules, Boosts Exchange FlexibilityZama Acquires KKRT Labs to Scale Blockchain Confidentiality
In a strategic move that promises to reshape the landscape of confidential blockchain transactions, cryptography firm Zama has acquired KKRT Labs, a pioneering zero-knowledge proof research company. This acquisition combines Zama’s confidential blockchain protocol with KKRT’s deep expertise in ZK-rollups and scaling technologies, aiming to deliver over 10,000 confidential transactions per second on major public blockchains like Ethereum and Solana. The merger represents a significant step toward making high-throughput confidential on-chain finance a reality.
about Zama Acquires KKRT Labs to Scale Blockchain ConfidentialityStarkWare CEO: Corporate Blockchains Will Fail Without Decentralization
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson predicts that corporate-controlled blockchains will ultimately fail despite initially driving mainstream adoption. He argues that users will reject chains controlled by central entities, contradicting blockchain’s fundamental principles. Ben-Sasson doubled down on his stance that ‘corpo’ chains cannot survive long-term without embracing true decentralization.
about StarkWare CEO: Corporate Blockchains Will Fail Without DecentralizationPsy Protocol Testnet Launches with Million-TPS Blockchain
Psy Protocol has launched its public testnet, introducing a revolutionary blockchain architecture that promises internet-scale throughput while maintaining Bitcoin-level security. The protocol demonstrates million-TPS capacity in internal benchmarks, addressing one of blockchain’s most persistent limitations and potentially enabling fully on-chain versions of platforms like Amazon and eBay to compete with their centralized counterparts.
about Psy Protocol Testnet Launches with Million-TPS BlockchainStarknet Launches Bitcoin Staking with $12M STRK Incentive
Layer 2 network Starknet has officially launched Bitcoin staking alongside a 100 million STRK incentive program to boost the BTCFi ecosystem. The initiative allows Bitcoin holders to earn rewards while maintaining custody of their assets through wrapped BTC tokens, marking a significant expansion of Bitcoin’s utility beyond its traditional Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism. This development represents a major step forward in bringing decentralized finance capabilities to the Bitcoin ecosystem while preserving its core security principles.
about Starknet Launches Bitcoin Staking with $12M STRK IncentiveStarknet Launches Bitcoin Staking with 100M STRK Incentives
Starknet has launched Bitcoin staking capabilities, allowing users to stake BTC while maintaining custody of their assets. The Ethereum layer-2 network is distributing 100 million STRK tokens to incentivize Bitcoin-related activity and position itself as Bitcoin’s financialization layer, marking a strategic pivot toward Bitcoin scaling while maintaining Ethereum compatibility.
about Starknet Launches Bitcoin Staking with 100M STRK IncentivesCrypto Wallets Evolve into Digital Life Control Centers
Cryptocurrency wallets are undergoing a quiet revolution, transforming from clunky financial tools into intuitive control centers for digital life. This evolution represents a fundamental shift in how users interact with Web3 ecosystems beyond mere financial transactions. The transformation is bringing wallets closer to mainstream adoption as comprehensive digital identity platforms, moving the conversation beyond regulatory battles and market speculation to practical user experience improvements.
about Crypto Wallets Evolve into Digital Life Control CentersBlockchain Security: Beyond Headline Hacks & Scams
The Clear Crypto Podcast challenges mainstream narratives by diving deep into blockchain security and the actual data behind crypto-related crime. While media often focuses on hacks and scams, the episode uncovers a more complex story of technological innovation and community-driven efforts to enhance safety. Sponsored by StarkWare and Cointelegraph, it emphasizes how the industry is proactively addressing security challenges to foster trust and pave the way for a robust financial future. This analysis provides a balanced perspective, separating fear-driven headlines from the substantive progress being made in the crypto space.
about Blockchain Security: Beyond Headline Hacks & ScamsStarkWare’s ZK Proof Enables Mobile Bitcoin Verification
StarkWare’s new zero-knowledge proof technology creates a compressed verification method for the Bitcoin blockchain that requires only block headers instead of the full 680+ GB blockchain history. The proof contains essential information including version numbers, previous block references, timestamps, block sizes, and nonces, allowing users to validate transactions securely. This development makes Bitcoin verification feasible on mobile devices, potentially expanding Bitcoin’s usability and adoption while maintaining the network’s security integrity through cryptographic proofs.
about StarkWare's ZK Proof Enables Mobile Bitcoin VerificationCrypto’s Crisis Role & US Regulatory Crossroads
The text highlights cryptocurrency’s demonstrated role as a financial safe haven during crises, citing examples like Cyprus’s 2013 banking collapse and more recent events in Afghanistan. It emphasizes that while skeptics have long dismissed crypto as speculative, real-world events continue to validate its utility where traditional systems fail. The discussion also notes the critical influence of US regulatory developments, which could either enable or hinder the industry’s growth. This analysis stems from a Clear Crypto Podcast episode exploring Bitcoin’s practical applications and the stakes of current policy shifts.
about Crypto's Crisis Role & US Regulatory CrossroadsStarknet Resumes After Major Outage Following Grinta Upgrade
Starknet experienced a major network outage lasting over four hours, forcing the team to roll back to block 1,960,612 and effectively erase approximately one hour of transaction history. The disruption occurred less than 24 hours after the network deployed its significant ‘Grinta’ upgrade, which introduced a new three-node Tendermint consensus system and pre-confirmation features for faster transactions. While service has been restored, transactions submitted between 2:23 A.M. and 4:36 A.M. UTC were excluded and must be resubmitted. The outage negatively impacted market sentiment, causing STRK token to drop 5% to approximately $0.123. Starknet remains one of the largest L2 ecosystems with around $550 million in secured assets, and the team has committed to publishing a detailed post-mortem analysis.
about Starknet Resumes After Major Outage Following Grinta Upgrade