Zero-Knowledge Proof

Definition ∞ A zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method where one party, the prover, can confirm to another party, the verifier, that a statement is true without disclosing any specific details about the statement itself. This technique ensures privacy while maintaining verifiability. It is fundamental to building secure and confidential decentralized applications. The proof’s validity relies on mathematical certainty, not computational limits.
Context ∞ Zero-knowledge proofs are a pivotal technology for enhancing privacy and scalability across various blockchain networks and decentralized systems. Key discussions center on optimizing the size and verification time of these proofs to enable broader practical application. Future developments will likely involve further advancements in proof construction, such as recursive proofs, and their expanded use in confidential transactions and off-chain computation.