What is zk-STARKs vs. zk-SNARKs? — adidaswilson

zk-STARKs and zk-SNARKs are two advanced cryptographic technologies that are used to provide privacy and security in blockchain networks and decentralized applications. Both technologies are based on the concept of zero-knowledge proofs, which allow one party to prove the validity of a statement to another party without revealing any information about the statement itself.

zk-SNARKs, or zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge, were first introduced in 2014 and have been used in various blockchain networks and decentralized applications, including ZCash, Ethereum, and others. zk-SNARKs are designed to be highly efficient and require a relatively small amount of computational power to verify a proof. However, they are also known for their high level of complexity, which can make them difficult for developers to implement and for users to understand.

zk-STARKs, or zero-knowledge succinct transparent arguments of knowledge, were introduced more recently and are seen as a newer and more advanced version of zk-SNARKs. Unlike zk-SNARKs, zk-STARKs are designed to be transparent, meaning that the proof itself can be publicly verified and audited. This makes zk-STARKs more secure and trustworthy than zk-SNARKs, as they are less susceptible to tampering or manipulation.