BITCOIN SEASON 2: Stop Ossification: Don't Let BTC Become a Rolex

StarkWare founder Eli Ben-Sasson explains Starknet settling on both Ethereum and Bitcoin, the need for Bitcoin scaling through OP_CAT, quantum computing threats, and preventing Bitcoin from becoming an exclusive asset only for the wealthy.

Mar 26, 2025

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Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, joins us to discuss how StarkNet plans to settle on both Ethereum and Bitcoin. We dive into the technical details of zero-knowledge proofs, the importance of OP_CAT for Bitcoin's future, and the fascinating Collider Script approach to covenants. Eli shares his concerns about Bitcoin ossification, explaining why without scaling solutions, Bitcoin risks becoming a "Rolex" - an asset only accessible to the wealthy. We also explore quantum computing threats and potential solutions for securing Bitcoin's future.

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# Notes:

- StarkWare has over 200 team members

- OP_CAT is the "greenest" covenant proposal

- Quantum threats require ZK-based solutions

- Collider Script enables covenants at high cost

- Bitcoin fees prevent mass adoption

- Bitcoin needs soft forks to avoid ossification

00:00 Start

01:09 Starkware background

04:38 Bringing ZK tech to Bitcoin

07:53 What is a "unified" layer 2?

09:21 Why use Starknet?

11:33 Posting proofs on-chain

13:26 OP_CAT

16:55 Collider script

19:35 Arch

20:09 SHA1 collisions?

22:43 Brute forcing covenants into Bitcoin

24:53 fear of soft fork

27:59 Quantum

32:16 Possible quantum futures

34:26 Why ZK_Starks for Satoshi's coins??

38:16 Confiscation vs network protection

43:18 Self custody future

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