No Trusted Setup

Definition ∞ No Trusted Setup describes a cryptographic system or protocol that does not require an initial, one-time generation of secret parameters by a trusted party. The absence of such a setup eliminates the critical vulnerability associated with the initial generation phase, where the security of the entire system depends on the trusted party properly disposing of the secrets. This design significantly enhances the overall trustlessness and security of decentralized applications. It removes a central point of failure or compromise.
Context ∞ “No trusted setup” is a highly valued characteristic in zero-knowledge proof systems and other advanced cryptographic protocols, frequently discussed in news related to privacy-enhancing technologies on blockchains. The development of new proof systems that achieve this property is a significant technical milestone. This pursuit aims to minimize reliance on human trust and bolster the long-term integrity of privacy-focused digital assets and decentralized applications.