Stellar Protocol v25 is available on Pi Network mainnet and has brought a new X-Ray privacy system and support for ZK proof. Pi Browser v1.15.0 is being released in stages, and App Studio allows builders to access no-code Test Pi payments and ad-supported deployment. Pi Network has

Stellar Protocol v25 is available on Pi Network mainnet and has brought a new X-Ray privacy system and support for ZK proof. Pi Browser v1.15.0 is being released in stages, and App Studio allows builders to access no-code Test Pi payments and ad-supported deployment. Pi Network has

Lighter EVM, an EVM-equivalent rollup, enhances application integration with Lighter's infrastructure, enabling low-latency access to liquidity. It aims to improve composability for developers while maintaining ZK verification, set to launch soon with features for streamlined asset movements and user experience.

Stellar launches SCF Growth Hack Cohort 1 to help Stellar mainnet teams run go-to-market and user acquisition for real-world adoption. Cohort includes stablecoin payments, cross-chain, and Soroban ZK-ready projects as the network deploys Protocol 25 X-Ray upgrade. Stellar has launched the St

Citrea, a Bitcoin-native ZK-rollup backed by Founders Fund and Galaxy Ventures, launched its mainnet on Tuesday, delivering BTC-collateral lending, BTC-structured products, and a new dollar-backed stablecoin, ctUSD. The project, developed by Chainway Labs, positions itself as an on-chain engine

Stellar launches SCF Growth Hack Cohort 1 to help Stellar mainnet teams run go-to-market and user acquisition for real-world adoption. Cohort includes stablecoin payments, cross-chain, and Soroban ZK-ready projects as the network deploys Protocol 25 X-Ray upgrade. Stellar has launched the St

Stellar launches SCF Growth Hack Cohort 1 to help Stellar mainnet teams run go-to-market and user acquisition for real-world adoption. Cohort includes stablecoin payments, cross-chain, and Soroban ZK-ready projects as the network deploys Protocol 25 X-Ray upgrade. Stellar has launched the St

Citrea, a Layer 2 solution on Bitcoin backed by Founders Fund and Galaxy, has launched its mainnet with the native stablecoin ctUSD. Utilizing zero-knowledge rollup technology, it focuses on Bitcoin-backed lending and structured finance products, facilitating direct capital transactions in the Bitcoin ecosystem and bridging traditional finance. Collaborating with various partners, Citrea enhances DeFi infrastructure while ensuring on-chain data integrity through zkEVM processing.

Key Takeaways: Vitalik Buterin publicly walked back a 2017 remark dismissing full user self-verification Advances in ZK-SNARKs now allow blockchain state verification without replaying all history Buterin identifies self-verification as a backup to make Ethereum resistant to failures and

Vitalik Buterin revisits his views on blockchain verification, emphasizing the significance of ZK-SNARKs in enabling efficient user verification without full transaction re-execution. He now sees self-sovereign verification as essential for resilience in response to real-world outages and risks of centralization, contrasting his previous stance that deemed it impractical.

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin reflects on the viewpoints he proposed in 2017, believing that with the maturity of zero-knowledge technologies like ZK-SNARKs, users can verify on-chain state correctness without replaying the entire history of transactions. He likens the blockchain to "a cabin in the mountains," emphasizing the need to maintain its role as a last resort. Vitalik foresees 2026 as a critical year for regaining computational sovereignty and advocates that users should be able to independently verify and use systems without relying on intermediaries.

The X-Ray upgrade by Stellar is already on mainnet and includes native BN254 operations to verify on-chain zk-SNARKs. CAP-0075 adds Soroban host functions exposing Poseidon and Poseidon2 permutation primitives for ZK-friendly hashing. Stellar has deployed the X-Ray protocol upgrade,

The X-Ray upgrade by Stellar is already on mainnet and includes native BN254 operations to verify on-chain zk-SNARKs. CAP-0075 adds Soroban host functions exposing Poseidon and Poseidon2 permutation primitives for ZK-friendly hashing. Stellar has deployed the X-Ray protocol upgrade,

KalqiX brings CEX-level trading experience to DeFi rails ZK proofs open new opportunities for MEV-protected DEX KalqiX, a novel self-custody crypto exchange by the veterans of the Polygon and QuickSwap ecosystems, introduces the powerful combo of ZK tech enhancements for an unmatched trading expe

Key Notes EigenLayer's EigenCloud will continue supporting Mantle’s perpetuals and prediction market infrastructure. The migration follows Mantle's September 16, 2025, upgrade to OP Succinct, which introduced ZK proofs for state

Grayscale takes the lead in distributing Ethereum ETF staking rewards, coupled with a record-high staking rate and the clearing of validator exit queues. These signals indicate that Ethereum is evolving from a volatile asset into a "yield-generating asset" accepted by long-term capital, with stable income characteristics. (Previous context: Vitalik: 2026 is the year Ethereum regains "self-sovereignty and trustlessness") (Additional background: Vitalik's attitude has dramatically shifted! For the first time, he supports Native Rollups, stating that ZK technology timelines finally align) Table of Contents ETF Yield Distribution: The Traditional Investor's "First Experience" with Staking Record-High Staking Rate and the Disappearance of "Exit Queues" The Future of Accelerating Maturity in the Staking Market Holding Ethereum ETF, can you also receive periodic interest like holding bonds? Just earlier this month, Grayscale announced its subsidiary Grayscale

BNB Chain and Brevis are building a programmable privacy layer based on zero-knowledge proofs to configure privacy. Intelligent Privacy Pool on BNB Chain targets Q1 2026 launch with ZK attestations and Association Sets for clean funds. BNB Chain has extended collaboration with Brevis to

In a landmark development for blockchain interoperability, decentralized computing network Boundless has successfully harnessed Bitcoin's unparalleled security as a universal verification layer for zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs generated on other chains like Ethereum and Base. This pioneering cross-chain verification system leverages the Bitcoin Virtual Machine (BitVM) to immutably settle complex computational proofs on Bitcoin's blockchain, without requiring any changes to its core protocol

RISC Zero team Boundless launches cross-chain verification system, using BitVM and zero-knowledge proofs to make Bitcoin the settlement verification layer for Ethereum and Base, without changing Bitcoin's core rules. The system integrates protocols such as Citrea and Wormhole, operating from the Ethereum mainnet and Base Layer 2 to Bitcoin.

Boundless, developed by RISC Zero, has launched a cross-chain verification system allowing Bitcoin to serve as a verification and payment layer for computationally intensive ZK proofs. Initially connecting Ethereum and Base Layer 2 to Bitcoin, the solution integrates BitVM for secure and permanent ZK proof validation on Bitcoin without altering its core protocol, aiming to enhance Bitcoin's role in blockchain ecosystems.

BNB Chain and Brevis are building a programmable privacy layer based on zero-knowledge proofs to configure privacy. Intelligent Privacy Pool on BNB Chain targets Q1 2026 launch with ZK attestations and Association Sets for clean funds. BNB Chain has extended collaboration with Brevis to

Privacy coin Dusk surged 40% on Jan. 19 and over 4x in 2025 as traders rotate from Monero, Dash, and Zcash into its ZK-powered, regulation-friendly small-cap narrative. Summary Dusk spiked about 40% on Jan. 19, extending a more than fourfold year-to-date rally and lifting the token to its

Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum will lower barriers to running nodes using ZK-EVM, BAL and tools like Helios for local verification. Privacy upgrades such as ORAM, PIR, and private payments aim to stop wallet and RPC data leakage and restore user control. The 2026 roadmap targets censorship r

Blockchain development is advancing faster than ever. For coding students, creating a custom network can seem impossible due to the complexity of cryptography and consensus. However, a new standard now simplifies this process. Using the Substrate framework, developers can build specialized

Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum will lower barriers to running nodes using ZK-EVM, BAL and tools like Helios for local verification. Privacy upgrades such as ORAM, PIR, and private payments aim to stop wallet and RPC data leakage and restore user control. The 2026 roadmap targets

Today, Brevis and BNB Chain have both made an update to further expand their cooperation aimed at creating next-generation privacy infrastructure in Web3. The project focuses on the adoption of a privacy framework that is configurable and privacy-compliant and can be driven by current

_Brevis and BNB Chain expand collaboration by launching a compliant zero-knowledge privacy pool, enabling secure transactions without revealing sensitive user data._ Brevis and BNB Chain announced plans to launch a new privacy infrastructure initiative in Q1 2026. The project centers on an

The blockchain industry faces a persistent problem: chains like Ethereum can’t handle complex computations without massive gas fees and public exposure of sensitive data. Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) solves this with ZK Wrappers, cryptographic interfaces that turn ZKP into a privacy coprocessor for an

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Privacy Protocol Zama will officially launch its native token $ZAMA on-chain public sale at 4:00 PM Taiwan time on January 21. The sale will adopt a sealed Dutch Auction (Dutch Auction) mechanism, with a minimum fully diluted valuation (FDV) set at 55 million USD. This article will provide readers with a detailed introduction to its token economics and sale details. What is Zama? Who are the team and investors behind it? Zama, as one of the leaders in the FHE track, is an open-source blockchain infrastructure focused on privacy. By combining Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and ZK proof technology, it enables various public chains to keep transaction amounts, balances, and state data encrypted throughout the execution of smart contracts. Application scenarios include confidential tokens similar to Solana.

Matter Labs CEO Alex Gluchowski introduced ZKsync's 2026 roadmap, focusing on real-world adoption by enhancing products like Prividium, ZK Stack, and Airbender to support enterprise applications and deepen institutional partnerships.

Ethereum is promoting ZK (Zero-Knowledge) integration across the entire network to improve performance and maintain decentralization. ZK integration can simplify transaction verification processes, enhance efficiency, and lay the foundation for future Gas limit increases. Vitalik expressed excitement about ZKEVM entering the Alpha stage, emphasizing that all ZK teams remain important and contribute to the development of technological diversity. Although ZK integration may impact L2, strengthening L1 will also benefit L2 users. Overall, Ethereum's progress in the ZK field signifies the continued deepening of its technological innovation.

Written by: imToken In recent times, if you have been paying close attention to the Ethereum ecosystem, you might feel a sense of disconnection. On one side, there is intense discussion about scalability routes, Rollup architecture, Interop, ZK, PBS, Slot shortening, and other technical topics; On the other side, debates revolve around questions like "Is the Ethereum Foundation arrogant," "Why isn't it more aggressive," "Why is the token price sluggish," and even emotional confrontations; These discussions actually point repeatedly to a deeper question: What kind of system does Ethereum ultimately want to become? In fact, many disputes are not rooted in technical disagreements but stem from different understandings of Ethereum's "value premises." Therefore, only by returning to these premises can we truly understand why Ethereum has made choices that many consider "out of date" today. 1. Ethereum "Ten

Charles Hoskinson announced that XRP DeFi is imminent, with Cardano's Midnight enabling private smart contracts using ZK cryptography. By wrapping XRP onto Midnight, users can access DeFi applications while maintaining transaction privacy, potentially unlocking over $100 billion in idle XRP liquidity.

2. A16z allocates $15B to growth, AI, crypto, and healthcare to secure America’s global technology edge. 4. Zk-SNARKs and AI-powered prediction markets aim to deliver faster, cheaper, and smarter crypto solutions. 6. Staked media links content to financial stakes, ensuring accountability,

Written by: imToken In recent times, if you have been paying close attention to the Ethereum ecosystem, you might feel a sense of disconnection. On one side, there is intense discussion about scalability routes, Rollup architecture, Interop, ZK, PBS, Slot shortening, and other technical topics; On the other side, debates revolve around questions like "Is the Ethereum Foundation arrogant," "Why isn't it more aggressive," "Why is the token price sluggish," and even emotional confrontations; These discussions actually point repeatedly to a deeper question: What kind of system does Ethereum ultimately want to become? In fact, many disputes are not rooted in technical disagreements but stem from different understandings of Ethereum's "value premises." Therefore, only by returning to these premises can we truly understand why Ethereum has made choices that many consider "out of date" today. 1. Ethereum "Ten

Written by: imToken In the past period, if you have been paying close attention to the Ethereum ecosystem, you might have experienced a sense of disconnection. On one side, there are intense discussions about scaling solutions, Rollup architecture, Interop, ZK, PBS, Slot shortening, and other technical topics; On the other side, there are debates around questions like "Is the Ethereum Foundation arrogant," "Why isn't it more aggressive," "Why is the coin price sluggish," and even emotional confrontations; These discussions actually point repeatedly to the same deeper question: What kind of system does Ethereum ultimately want to become? In fact, many disputes are not rooted in technical disagreements but stem from different understandings of Ethereum's "value premise." Therefore, only by returning to these premises can we truly understand why Ethereum has made choices that many consider "untimely" today. 1. Ethereum's "Ten-Year Itch": Ethere

Circle Research says quantum attacks could break ECDSA and RSA by 2030, forcing blockchains to adopt post-quantum signatures. Developers are testing post-quantum TLS, validator signatures, and larger keys as regulators push upgrades in the U.S. and EU. Wallets, addresses, and ZK systems

Ethereum completed its second BPO hard fork this Wednesday, increasing the blob limit from 15 to 21, with a single block data capacity reaching 2,688 KB. This significantly enhances network scalability and reduces Layer 2 transaction costs. Future plans include raising the Gas Limit from 60 million to 80 million, and the Glamsterdam upgrade in 2026 will introduce "Perfect Parallel Processing" technology, pushing the Gas cap to 200 million. (Background recap: Vitalik announced: The blockchain "Impossible Triangle" has been cracked, PeerDAS and ZK-EVM solve Ethereum throughput and security) (Additional background: Tom

ZKsync, a Layer-2 scaling network that aims to increase speed and decrease gas fees on the Ethereum blockchain, today announced the listing of its native ZK token on Upbit, a major cryptocurrency exchange based in South Korea and Asia. The listing of the ZK token on the Upbit exchange is essential a

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said that getting zkEVM and PeerDAS on mainnet will help to achieve scalability, security, and decentralization, all at once. zkEVMs have reached production-grade efficiency, cutting proof times from minutes to seconds and reducing costs by 45x. Vitalik Bu

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the long-standing "Blockchain Trilemma" that has troubled the blockchain industry has actually been solved. He emphasized that after recent upgrades, Ethereum has undergone a transformation, becoming a "brand new, more powerful decentralized network" capable of balancing security, decentralization, and scalability simultaneously. Vitalik Buterin posted on social platform X: "Now, we have PeerDAS, which will be introduced in 2025, and partial adoption in 2026."

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said on January 6, 2026, that Ethereum has effectively solved the long-standing blockchain trilemma after nearly a decade of research and protocol upgrades.

Written by: Blockchain Knight Ethereum founder Vitalik posted on social media a review of 2025, pointing out that Ethereum has overcome the industry's long-standing scalability trilemma, achieving a major technological breakthrough. However, the network needs to choose between chasing speculative trends and fulfilling the original goal of being a "neutral global computer." He emphasized that the technological upgrades in 2025 are not the end, but the foundation for resisting the centralized subscription-based internet. V God declared that the era of the scalability trilemma (decentralization, security, and scalability being difficult to achieve simultaneously) has ended and has been implemented in actual running code. The core support comes from two major technological upgrades: PeerDAS mainnet has been activated, and ZK-EVM has reached production-level performance, with only security checks remaining. The integration of these two makes Ethereum both decentralized, consensus-driven, and high-bandwidth, enhancing network processing

Cardano enables Bitcoin smart contracts using Cardano tooling without changing Bitcoin’s core protocol. ZK-proof integration allows trustless BTC movement into Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem. Bitcoin liquidity gains access to Cardano DeFi through secure cross-chain execution. Cardano has

In brief Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum has “solved” the blockchain trilemma of decentralization, security and scalability. Buterin cited live mainnet upgrades and near-ready ZK-EVMs as solutions. The shift underpins Ethereum’s long-term plan to scale throughput

In brief Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum has “solved” the blockchain trilemma of decentralization, security and scalability. Buterin cited live mainnet upgrades and near-ready ZK-EVMs as solutions. The shift underpins Ethereum’s long-term plan to scale throughput

AscendEX, a global cryptocurrency exchange that provides users with a wide range of product suites, including futures, margin, and spot trading offerings, today announced a strategic partnership with KaratDAO, a decentralized data network that gives users complete control over their personal data.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said that getting zkEVM and PeerDAS on mainnet will help to achieve scalability, security, and decentralization, all at once. zkEVMs have reached production-grade efficiency, cutting proof times from minutes to seconds and reducing costs by 45x. Vitalik Bu

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin's latest lengthy article states that the core goal of Ethereum's inception was not to improve efficiency or convenience, but to pursue freedom and resilience, creating a decentralized and sovereign "world computer" to ensure autonomy and security for users worldwide. (Previous summary: Vitalik announces a breakthrough: the blockchain "impossible triangle" has been solved, PeerDAS and ZK-EVM address Ethereum's throughput and security) (Additional background: Vitalik's 2026 New Year declaration: Ethereum exists not for storytelling, but to become the world computer of the free internet) Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin published a lengthy article today (5th) on the decentralized social platform Farcaster, quoting and elaborating on "Trustless

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin claims the blockchain trilemma of decentralization, security, and scalability has been resolved through ZK-EVMs and PeerDAS, with live implementations now on the mainnet, enhancing transaction efficiency and verification.