Zero Knowledge

Verifiable Key Management and TEEs with Turnkey

In this episode, Anna Rose [https://x.com/annarrose] and Kobi Gurkan [http://x.com/kobigurk] chat with Arnaud Brousseau [http://x.com/arnaudbrousseau] and Jack Kearney [http://x.com/whojackjones] from Turnkey [http://x.com/turnkeyhq] about verifiable key management using trusted execution environments (TEEs). They share how their past work on custody and validators inspired them to build more sophisticated key management tools and some of the qualities TEEs enabled.  The discussion covers a range of challenges and techniques: the role of remote attestation and reproducible builds in ensuring trust, strategies to prevent downgrade attacks, and the use of authorisation and policy layers to reduce misuse of keys while still enabling automation.    Related links: * * Turnkey: a Verifiable Key Management Solution [https://whitepaper.turnkey.com/] * Turnkey's Architecture [https://whitepaper.turnkey.com/architecture] * StageX [https://codeberg.org/stagex/stagex] * Reflections on Trusting Trust By Ken Thompson [https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~rdriley/487/papers/Thompson_1984_ReflectionsonTrustingTrust.pdf] * How to Prove False Statements: Practical Attacks on Fiat-Shamir [https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/118.pdf] * Turnkey Blog: Remote attestations are useless without reproducible builds [https://quorum.tkhq.xyz/posts/remote-attestations-useless-without-reproducible-builds/] * Episode 339: TEEs with Andrew Miller [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/339/]   ----------------------------------------   ZK Whiteboard Sessions is an educational video series produced by ZK Hack. It is focused on the building blocks of zero knowledge technology.  Find season 3 of the Whiteboard Sessions as well as previous seasons here [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/#season3].   ----------------------------------------   **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/zeroknowledge] * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter [https://zeroknowledge.substack.com] * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm [https://twitter.com/zeroknowledgefm] * Join us on Telegram [https://t.me/+taXrPJIp_30zZTNi] * Catch us on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWsYz5cKw4wZ9Mpe4kuM_g]   **Support the show:** * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/zeroknowledge] * ETH - Donation address [https://etherscan.io/address/0xE2C080047213C1d8cDf2099E0B07479C5D9cee8a] * BTC - Donation address [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/bc1q9mrh34n6mvses59r3hq9dz6j3vxm3tlwlg8ws2] * SOL - Donation address [https://explorer.solana.com/address/Eqfm4maSDUN3ikjDfSgDeJ1mh3iC8tr69eHB5iTHz35x] Read transcript [https://github.com/ZeroKnowledgefm/episode-transcripts/blob/main/episodes/Episode%20379.txt]

Zerocoin to zk-creds: Modern ZK History with Ian Miers

In this episode, Anna Rose [https://x.com/annarrose] and Nico Mohnblatt [https://x.com/nico_mnbl] catch up with Ian Miers [https://x.com/secparam] from the University of Maryland [https://www.cs.umd.edu/], starting with his work on seminal ZK blockchain research, Zerocoin and Zerocash and the creation of the first zk-focused blockchain project Zcash. They then explore the history of trusted setups, including the trusted setup bug discovery in Zcash, and subsequent improvements like Powers of Tau. Ian also discussed his work on ZEXE, a system that has inspired the formation of Aleo, and his more recent works: zk-creds for building flexible anonymous credentials from existing identity signals like passports, and zk-promises for supporting anonymous reputation, moderation, and callbacks in decentralized systems. They also touch on broader topics like post-quantum security considerations, sybil resistance, and the need for programmable privacy tools.   RELATED LINKS * Ian Miers: Academic profile and publications [https://www.cs.umd.edu/~imiers/] * Zerocoin: Anonymous Distributed E-Cash from Bitcoin [https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6547123] * Pinocchio: Nearly Practical Verifiable Computation [https://eprint.iacr.org/2013/279.pdf] * Zerocash: Decentralized Anonymous Payments from Bitcoin [http://zerocash-project.org/paper] * Zcash: Privacy-preserving cryptocurrency based on Zerocash protocol [https://z.cash/] * Zexe: Enabling Decentralized Private Computation [https://eprint.iacr.org/2018/962.pdf] * Powers of Tau Ceremony: Zcash Foundation's multi-party computation for secure zk-SNARK parameters [https://zfnd.org/conclusion-of-the-powers-of-tau-ceremony/] * Powers-of-Tau to the People: Decentralizing Setup Ceremonies [https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/1592.pdf] * zk-creds: Flexible Anonymous Credentials from zkSNARKs and Existing Identity Infrastructure [https://eprint.iacr.org/2022/878.pdf] * zk-promises: Anonymous Moderation, Reputation, and Blocking from Anonymous Credentials with Callbacks [https://eprint.iacr.org/2024/1260.pdf] * Decentralized Anonymous Credentials [https://eprint.iacr.org/2013/622.pdf] * Sonic: Zero-Knowledge SNARKs from Linear-Size Universal and Updatable Structured Reference Strings [https://eprint.iacr.org/2019/099.pdf] * Quadratic Span Programs and Succinct NIZKs without PCPs  [https://eprint.iacr.org/2012/215.pdf] * DECO: Liberating Web Data Using Decentralized Oracles for TLS [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1909.00938] * SNARKs for C : Verifying Program Executions Succinctly and in Zero Knowledge [https://eprint.iacr.org/2013/507.pdf] * Scalable Zero Knowledge via Cycles of Elliptic Curves [https://eprint.iacr.org/2014/595.pdf] (BCTV14) * Sean Bowe on SNARKs, Trusted Setups & Elliptic Curve Cryptography  [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/76/]   ----------------------------------------   * If you have a few minutes, we’d love to get to know you better and hear your ideas for the ZK Podcast. You can anonymously complete the feedback form here. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK4L3qc-xmXlQpiurJJIfmMSo324RDVjYM38bHKHYyjdRopw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116508755443803546135]   * Check out the latest ZK Whiteboard Sessions including previous seasons here [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/].   ----------------------------------------   **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/zeroknowledge] * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter [https://zeroknowledge.substack.com] * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm [https://twitter.com/zeroknowledgefm] * Join us on Telegram [https://t.me/+taXrPJIp_30zZTNi] * Catch us on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWsYz5cKw4wZ9Mpe4kuM_g]   **Support the show:** * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/zeroknowledge] * ETH - Donation address [https://etherscan.io/address/0xE2C080047213C1d8cDf2099E0B07479C5D9cee8a] * BTC - Donation address [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/bc1q9mrh34n6mvses59r3hq9dz6j3vxm3tlwlg8ws2] * SOL - Donation address [https://explorer.solana.com/address/Eqfm4maSDUN3ikjDfSgDeJ1mh3iC8tr69eHB5iTHz35x] Read transcript [https://github.com/ZeroKnowledgefm/episode-transcripts/blob/main/episodes/Episode%20378.txt]

Evolving ZK Identity from Iden3 to Privado & Billions

In this episode, Anna Rose [https://x.com/annarrose] chats with David Z [https://x.com/davidsrz?lang=en-GB] and Oleksandr (Sasha) [https://x.com/OBrezhniev] from Privado ID [https://www.privado.id/] and Billions Network [https://billions.network/] about the evolution of ZK-based identity systems, tracing their roots back to iden3 in 2018, one of the earliest projects to pioneer ZK for on-chain identity. They discuss their origin as the iden3, their creation of the influential Circom DSL, the move into Polygon ID, the spin-out as Privado ID with a focus on B2B privacy tools and verifiable credentials, and the recent launch of Billions Network, which aims to build a scalable network of humans and AI agents with mobile-first verification and progressive proofs. They compare their broad, composable approach to projects like Self, Rarimo, and ZK Email, while highlighting future plans for reputation layers, on-chain economies, and AI agent identities to enable accountable interactions in a decentralised world. Related links: * Privado ID introduces Billions: The First Global Human & AI Network [https://www.privado.id/blog/privado-id-introduces-billions-the-first-global-human-ai-network] * Billions Launches Mobile App for Digital Identity Verification in the Age of AI [https://billions.network/blog/billions-launches-app-for-identity-verification-in-the-age-of-ai] * DEEPTRUST: VERIFIABLE IDENTITIES AND REPUTATION FOR AI AGENTS [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/682b2da9ef522c285ba6550a/685d42ebd14b0b9fba3d14b0_aideeptrust.pdf] * Iden3 Protocol Specifications (Version 0) [https://docs.iden3.io/protocol/spec/] * W3C: Verifiable Credentials Overview [https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-overview/] * Poseidon: ZK-Friendly Hashing [https://www.poseidon-hash.info/] * European Digital Identity [https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/european-digital-identity_en] * ZK HACK - Introducing Circom 2.0 - Iden3 [https://youtu.be/6XxVeBFmIFs] * Iden3: Sparse Merkle Trees [https://docs.iden3.io/publications/pdfs/Merkle-Tree.pdf] * Billions App Transforms ID Verification with Privacy-First Liveness Checks [https://www.bioenabletech.com/news/billions-app-transforms-id-verification-with-privacy-first-liveness-checks]   ----------------------------------------   ZK Whiteboard Season 3 Module 2 High-Performance Engineering for SNARKs, w/ Jim Posen [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/s3m2/] has just landed!  See all Whiteboard Sessions including previous seasons here [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/s3m1/].   ----------------------------------------   **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/zeroknowledge] * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter [https://zeroknowledge.substack.com] * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm [https://twitter.com/zeroknowledgefm] * Join us on Telegram [https://t.me/+taXrPJIp_30zZTNi] * Catch us on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWsYz5cKw4wZ9Mpe4kuM_g] **Support the show:** * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/zeroknowledge] * ETH - Donation address [https://etherscan.io/address/0xE2C080047213C1d8cDf2099E0B07479C5D9cee8a] * BTC - Donation address [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/bc1q9mrh34n6mvses59r3hq9dz6j3vxm3tlwlg8ws2] * SOL - Donation address [https://explorer.solana.com/address/Eqfm4maSDUN3ikjDfSgDeJ1mh3iC8tr69eHB5iTHz35x] Read transcript [https://github.com/ZeroKnowledgefm/episode-transcripts/blob/main/episodes/Episode%20377.txt]

Miden & the Edge Blockchain with Bobbin & Gaylord

In this episode, Anna Rose [https://x.com/annarrose] and Guillermo Angeris [https://x.com/GuilleAngeris] speak with Bobbin Threadbare [https://x.com/bobbinth] and Gaylord Warner [https://x.com/zkGaylord] from Miden [https://miden.xyz/] to explore their zkVM and edge blockchain architecture. The group also reminisces on how they've each been a part of the ZK Whiteboard Sessions over the years.   Bobbin shares Miden's earliest beginnings from Winterfell at Facebook through its development within Polygon to the recent spin-out as an independent project. The team discusses their custom ISA designed for blockchain use cases, and the multi-stage compilation pipeline that supports it. The conversation also covers Miden's pragmatic approach to privacy implementation, their plans for gradual decentralization starting with a centralized L2, and how they incentivize users to keep state off-chain through multidimensional fee structures.   Related links: * ZK Whiteboard [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/] * Episode 373: Ethproofs, zkVM Benchmarks & the Unstoppable Rise of ZK with Justin Drake [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/373/] * Episode 369: Ligero for Memory-Efficient ZK with Muthu [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/369/] * Episode 367: Local-First with grjte and Goblin Oats [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/367/] * Episode 365: ZK in Sui & zkAt with Kostas Kryptos [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/365/] * Episode 210: The Road to STARKs and Miden with Bobbin Threadbare [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/210/] * The Miden Compiler v0.4.0 – A Major Milestone [https://miden.xyz/resource/blog/compiler-release-04] * ZK Whiteboard Sessions - Module Four: SNARKs vs STARKs with Bobbin Threadbare [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUrA97TG2YU&list=PLj80z0cJm8QErn3akRcqvxUsyXWC81OGq&index=4] * ZK13: Lifted FRI: A uniform multi-domain polynomial commitment scheme [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6Z3WjRcZD0] * ZK Study Club - STARKs overview - Session 4  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXlcFKSIQwY] * ZK Hack Berlin [https://zkhack.dev/zkhack-berlin-hackathon/] * Winterfell [https://github.com/facebook/winterfell] * Fruity Friends [https://devfolio.co/projects/fruity-friends-ef88] * Gaylord's X post that inspired the interview [https://x.com/zkGaylord/status/1955624100577349834]!   ----------------------------------------   Check out the NEW ZK Whiteboard Season 3 here [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/s3m1/].   ----------------------------------------   **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/zeroknowledge] * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter [https://zeroknowledge.substack.com] * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm [https://twitter.com/zeroknowledgefm] * Join us on Telegram [https://t.me/+taXrPJIp_30zZTNi] * Catch us on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWsYz5cKw4wZ9Mpe4kuM_g] **Support the show:** * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/zeroknowledge] * ETH - Donation address [https://etherscan.io/address/0xE2C080047213C1d8cDf2099E0B07479C5D9cee8a] * BTC - Donation address [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/bc1q9mrh34n6mvses59r3hq9dz6j3vxm3tlwlg8ws2] * SOL - Donation address [https://explorer.solana.com/address/Eqfm4maSDUN3ikjDfSgDeJ1mh3iC8tr69eHB5iTHz35x]   Read transcript [https://github.com/ZeroKnowledgefm/episode-transcripts/blob/main/episodes/Episode%20376.txt]

Indistinguishability Obfuscation (iO) with Huijia (Rachel) Lin

In this episode, Anna Rose [https://x.com/annarrose] and Tarun Chitra [https://x.com/tarunchitra/] chat with Huijia (Rachel) Lin [https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~rachel/] from the University of Washington [https://www.cs.washington.edu/] to explore indistinguishability obfuscation (iO), often described as the 'holy grail of cryptography'. iO is a powerful primitive that, if fully realised, could have profound implications for privacy tech as a whole. Rachel helps break down the concept for listeners who may already be familiar with ZK, FHE and TEEs, clarifying how iO differs but also some of the similarities in the assumptions upon which it is based. Rachel also explains how it differs from similar concepts: garbled circuits and functional encryption.   The discussion covers the evolution of iO research in her work over the last decade, how the cryptographic assumptions have hardened since that time, and what iO can offer in terms of precise, controlled information revelation.   Related links: * Indistinguishability obfuscation from well-founded assumptions [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3406325.3451093] * Indistinguishability Obfuscation from DDH-like Assumptions on Constant-Degree Graded Encodings [https://eprint.iacr.org/2016/795.pdf] * On Lattices, Learning with Errors, Random Linear Codes, and Cryptography [https://arxiv.org/pdf/2401.03703] * How to Use Indistinguishability Obfuscation: Deniable Encryption, and More [https://eprint.iacr.org/2013/454.pdf] * Functional Encryption for Quadratic Functions, and Applications to Predicate Encryption [https://eprint.iacr.org/2016/1106.pdf] * Garbled circuit [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbled_circuit]   ----------------------------------------   ZK Whiteboard Season 3 just kicked off with our first Module all about Hash Functions [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/s3m1/]! In this, we have host Nico and guest JP Aumauson walk us through how to build a Hash Function. JP was also previously on the show to discuss the topic, you can see his episode here [https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/250/]! See all Whiteboard Sessions including previous seasons here [https://zkhack.dev/whiteboard/s3m1/].    ----------------------------------------   **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree [https://linktr.ee/zeroknowledge] * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter [https://zeroknowledge.substack.com] * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm [https://twitter.com/zeroknowledgefm] * Join us on Telegram [https://t.me/+taXrPJIp_30zZTNi] * Catch us on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWsYz5cKw4wZ9Mpe4kuM_g]   **Support the show:** * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/zeroknowledge] * ETH - Donation address [https://etherscan.io/address/0xE2C080047213C1d8cDf2099E0B07479C5D9cee8a] * BTC - Donation address [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer/addresses/btc/bc1q9mrh34n6mvses59r3hq9dz6j3vxm3tlwlg8ws2] * SOL - Donation address [https://explorer.solana.com/address/Eqfm4maSDUN3ikjDfSgDeJ1mh3iC8tr69eHB5iTHz35x] Read transcript [https://github.com/ZeroKnowledgefm/episode-transcripts/blob/main/episodes/Episode%20375.txt]