Zero knowledge
The Protocol: Ethereum Layer-2s Keep Coming as OKX Apes In
In this week's edition of The Protocol newsletter, we look at a few growing trends, including blockchain development marked by the expansion of Ethereum's layer-2 networks, the increased use of zero-knowledge cryptography and the Bitcoin blockchain's new support for tokens, smart contracts and file hosting.

Cryptocurrency Exchange OKX Coming Out With Layer 2 ‘X1’ Built on Polygon Technology
The OKB token will be used for gas fees on the new chain, which comes as rival crypto exchanges including Coinbase and reportedly Kraken are pursuing their own layer-2 projects.

Nil Foundation Plans New Ethereum Rollup With Zero-Knowledge Proofs, Sharding
The foundation claims that this will be the first ZK rollup that enables sharding, combining two popular scaling technologies.

Crypto Venture Funds Variant, 1kx Lead $6M Funding Round for ZK-Meets-AI Startup Modulus
The funding will be used for the company’s ambitions in zero-knowledge machine learning, combining aspects of zero-knowledge cryptography with artificial intelligence or AI.

Scroll Confirms Mainnet Live, as Co-Founder Predicts Speed Gains Over Ethereum
Blockchain data showed that Scroll’s smart contract was deployed on Oct. 8, but the team held off making its official announcement until this week.

Manta's Layer-2 Blockchain Already Plans to Ditch OP Stack for Polygon
The network, which just went live a couple weeks ago as a so-called optimistic rollup – the core underpinning of OP Stack – will now become a “ZK-rollup,” which is what Polygon’s software kit provides.

Scroll zkEVM Launches, Blockchain Data Shows, Competing With Polygon, Matter Labs
The new Ethereum layer-2 network's debut adds to the competition among rival providers of so-called "zkEVMs," including Polygon and Matter Labs.

At Last, Blockchain Developer OP Labs Delivers ‘Fault Proofs’ Missing From Core Design
The developer’s OP Stack software, the blueprint for Coinbase’s new Base blockchain, had been criticized for the lack of a crucial security feature – likened to driving a fast car without airbags.

Buenos Aires Releases Blockchain Digital Identity Solution Powered by zkSync's ZK Proofs
Citizens of Buenos Aires can access the identity solution, the QuarkID wallet, where they can store their birth and marriage certificates, according to the city government.

Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin Argues for Blockchain 'Privacy Pools' to Weed Out Criminals
The paper argues for “privacy pools,” a tech feature that would enhance the privacy of user’s transactions while also separating criminal activity from innocent funds in different sets.

