Alloc Init's Shielded Bitcoin proposal adds Zcash-like privacy without a soft fork
Crypto research team Alloc Init released a technical blueprint for "Shielded Bitcoin," a proposal to add Zcash-like privacy features to the Bitcoin network without requiring a soft fork. The design uses Bitcoin as a neutral ordering layer, with specialized indexer software verifying zero-knowledge proofs and preventing double-spending. Experts raised concerns about privacy depending on user base size and lack of quantum resistance, while Zerocash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support.
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New Bitcoin Privacy Proposal 'Shielded Bitcoin' Aims for Zcash-Like Features Without Fork
The crypto research team Alloc Init has launched a technical blueprint for 'Shielded Bitcoin,' a proposal to add Zcash-like privacy features to the Bitcoin network without requiring a soft fork. The design treats Bitcoin as a neutral ordering layer, using specialized indexer software to verify zero-knowledge proofs and prevent double-spending, rather than relying on miners. The system uses encrypted notes, public nullifiers, and zero-knowledge proofs, and does not create a separate blockchain or consensus mechanism. However, experts have raised concerns. Developer Vadim Zavodir noted that privacy depends on user base size, and the new system may initially have a very small anonymity set. Pauli Group founder Pierre-Luc Dalair-Demers criticized the lack of quantum resistance, though he is exploring a post-quantum alternative. In contrast, Zerocash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support, noting the original Zerocash paper aimed to bring privacy to Bitcoin and he looks forward to the vision being realized.
Read sourceShielded Bitcoin Proposal Aims for Zcash-Like Privacy Without Soft Fork, Draws Criticism
Encryption research team Alloc Init has officially launched the 'Shielded Bitcoin' proposal, aiming to provide Zcash-like privacy transfer functionality for the Bitcoin network without triggering a soft fork. The scheme, released Thursday by Clara Shikhelman, Mikhail Komarov, and Alexei Moskvin, uses Bitcoin as a neutral publishing and ordering layer, with specialized indexer software verifying zero-knowledge proofs and preventing double-spending. It draws heavily on Zcash's logic, employing encrypted notes, public nullification mechanisms, and zero-knowledge proofs. However, the proposal faces significant criticism. Developer Vadim Zavodyr noted on X that privacy effectiveness depends on user base size, warning that a new system may initially have an anonymity set of one. The researchers themselves acknowledged that large deposits do not automatically ensure anonymity. Pauli Group founder Pierre-Luc Dalair-Demers sharply criticized the scheme's lack of quantum attack resistance. In contrast, Zerocash co-founder and StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support, stating he looks forward to the vision of privacy and scalability via zero-knowledge proofs becoming reality.
New 'Shielded Bitcoin' Proposal Aims to Add Zcash-Like Privacy Without Fork
The crypto research team Alloc Init has unveiled a technical blueprint called 'Shielded Bitcoin,' designed to bring Zcash-style privacy features to the Bitcoin network without requiring a soft fork. The proposal, released by Clara Hickherman, Mikhail Komarov, and Alexei Moskvin, treats Bitcoin as a neutral ordering layer while specialized indexer software verifies zero-knowledge proofs and prevents double-spending. The design uses encrypted notes, public nullifiers, and zero-knowledge proofs, and does not create a separate blockchain. However, industry experts have raised concerns. Developer Vadim Zavodir noted that privacy effectiveness depends on user base size, warning that a small anonymity set could allow transaction linkage. Pauli Group founder Pierre-Luc Dalair-Demers criticized the scheme as lacking quantum attack resistance, though he is exploring a post-quantum alternative. In contrast, StarkWare CEO and Zerocash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support, stating the original Zerocash paper aimed to bring privacy to Bitcoin and he hopes the vision of privacy and scalability via zero-knowledge proofs will be realized.
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Bitcoin Privacy Proposal 'Shielded Bitcoin' Sparks Debate Without Fork
The crypto research team Alloc Init has launched a 'Shielded Bitcoin' proposal aimed at adding Zcash-like privacy features to the Bitcoin network without triggering a soft fork. The plan, released by Clara Hickhermann, Mikhail Komarov, and Alexei Moskvin, uses Bitcoin as a neutral ordering layer while specialized indexer software verifies zero-knowledge proofs and prevents double-spending. The design borrows from Zcash's encrypted notes and nullification mechanisms. However, experts have raised concerns. Developer Vadim Zavodyr noted that privacy depends on user base size, and a new system may initially have a tiny anonymity set. Pauli Group founder Pierre-Luc Dalair-Demers criticized the lack of quantum attack resistance. In contrast, Zerocash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support, hoping the zero-knowledge proof approach could bring privacy and scalability to Bitcoin.
Read sourceNew Bitcoin Privacy Proposal 'Shielded Bitcoin' Draws Debate, Avoids Soft Fork
According to Woofun AI, the crypto research team Alloc Init has launched a 'Shielded Bitcoin' proposal aimed at providing Zcash-like privacy features for the Bitcoin network without requiring a soft fork. The architecture treats Bitcoin as a neutral ordering layer, with specialized indexer software verifying zero-knowledge proofs and preventing double-spending. The design draws on Zcash's encrypted notes and nullification mechanisms. However, experts have raised concerns. Developer Vadim Zavodyr noted that privacy depends on user base size, and a new system may initially have a very small anonymity set. Pauli Group founder Pierre-Luc Dalair-Demers criticized the lack of quantum attack resistance. In contrast, Zerocash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson expressed support, stating the original Zerocash paper aimed to bring privacy to Bitcoin and he hopes the vision of privacy and scalability via zero-knowledge proofs will be realized.