Universal Setup Elimination

Definition ∞ Universal setup elimination refers to the design of cryptographic proof systems that do not require any setup phase, whether trusted or transparent. These systems operate without pre-computation of public parameters, making them simpler to deploy and less prone to setup-related vulnerabilities. This represents a notable simplification in cryptographic protocol design.
Context ∞ Universal setup elimination is a highly sought-after property in zero-knowledge proof research, as it removes a significant operational hurdle and potential security concern for protocol deployment. News often highlights new proof systems that achieve this characteristic, indicating progress towards more streamlined and secure cryptographic tools. The absence of a setup phase simplifies auditing and reduces the attack surface for decentralized applications.