Zero-Knowledge Protocol

Definition ∞ A zero-knowledge protocol is a cryptographic method that allows one party to prove the truth of a statement to another party without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. This technique enables verification of facts, such as possessing a secret, without disclosing the secret. It is fundamental for building privacy-preserving systems and enhancing data confidentiality in decentralized applications. Such protocols are critical for maintaining anonymity while ensuring data integrity.
Context ∞ Zero-knowledge protocols are a central topic in discussions about blockchain privacy, scalability solutions, and decentralized identity. News frequently reports on advancements in zero-knowledge proofs, such as zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs, and their application in layer-2 scaling technologies like zero-knowledge rollups. These protocols are considered essential for overcoming privacy limitations and transaction throughput constraints on public blockchains, paving the way for broader enterprise and mainstream adoption of digital assets.