Stark Bitcoin Transformation ***#
The CTO of Lightning Labs spoke at the Starkware conference, outlining several directions.
Lightweight nodes utilize Stark proofs of block header states to achieve instant synchronization.
Full nodes implement validity proofs of UTXO states.
Utreexo represents UTXO states in a new format, eliminating the need to view the entire UTXO state (5GB).
By providing the utreexo root and final state, it is possible to begin verifying incoming blocks.
In the end, a complete Bitcoin Script VM will also be implemented using Cairo.
Other directions include Taro and Bitcoin on-chain asset proofs.
Sierra Cairo 1.0 Secure Intermediate Representation#
- Developers use Cairo to develop contracts, then compile them into Casm (assembly code) and deploy them on StarkNet.
- When users call functions on the contract, transactions need to be signed. The sorter in Starknet runs this transaction, and when the block includes this transaction, it earns some fees. However, if a user tries to deposit more funds than their account balance, the assertion will fail, causing the sorter to work on this transaction without any reward.
- In Ethereum, even if a transaction fails, it can still be included in a block. However, such transactions are not yet resolved in StarkNet. Cairo has the advantage of being provable only if it is valid, but there may be some bad processes for certain reasons. Therefore, the introduction of Sierra may solve some problems by placing it between Casm and Starknet, allowing for easy implementation of included invalid transactions' security mechanisms.
Pyth Oracle#
Pyth is different from other oracles in that it comes from first-party data providers, provides confidence intervals, and adopts a new polling model.
Pyth comes from over 75 different market data providers, providing price information that prevents front-running and is more accurate.
Pyth supports over 190 types of price information, covering areas across cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, and metals.
The company's trust interval application prevents malicious data providers from reporting.
Its final volatility can change based on the confidence of provider prices.
It aggregates data with different accuracies to more accurately reflect current prices.
Revelator On-Chain Music#
• Wasabi Lab has developed a new "chain"-based tool for the music industry.
• Music can be represented as a JSON object consisting of immutable elements (such as structure, melody) and variable elements (such as BPM, pitch, and speed).
• JavaScript can convert JSON files into smart contracts, which provide users with various MIDI operations.
• On-chain music can create exclusive songs for artists and generate many game scenarios.
• Casey Westcott, for example, developed a game based on on-chain music.
• In the future, on-chain music is expected to bring more fresh and interesting experiences to online music.
Herodotus Storage Proof API#
• Herodotus provides an API for storage proofs, but it is relatively simple and only takes 25 minutes to set up.
• The benefit is that it can create many new use cases, making data secure through mathematics and zero-knowledge, and accessing historical and current data across blockchains.
• The downside is that it is relatively complex, has high maintenance costs, and lacks good documentation.
• Herodotus' API can process data in batches for the lowest price.
• The API can prove the state tree, smart contracts, and transaction reimbursements with just a request.
• A case study of account recovery was demonstrated, showing how to use the API for operations.
• Two proofs are needed to prove that the node from a year ago is the same as the current node.