CoinDesk Podcasts

CoinDesk Podcast Network

BITCOIN SEASON 2: Stop Ossification: Don't Let BTC Become a Rolex

StarkWare founder Eli Ben-Sasson explains Starknet settling on both Ethereum and Bitcoin, the need for Bitcoin scalin...
CoinDesk Podcast Network
Listen on:

You're listening to Bitcoin Season 2. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 7,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com

Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, joins us to discuss how StarkNet plans to settle on both Ethereum and Bitcoin. We dive into the technical details of zero-knowledge proofs, the importance of OP_CAT for Bitcoin's future, and the fascinating Collider Script approach to covenants. Eli shares his concerns about Bitcoin ossification, explaining why without scaling solutions, Bitcoin risks becoming a "Rolex" - an asset only accessible to the wealthy. We also explore quantum computing threats and potential solutions for securing Bitcoin's future.

Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com

# Notes:

- StarkWare has over 200 team members

- OP_CAT is the "greenest" covenant proposal

- Quantum threats require ZK-based solutions

- Collider Script enables covenants at high cost

- Bitcoin fees prevent mass adoption

- Bitcoin needs soft forks to avoid ossification

00:00 Start

01:09 Starkware background

04:38 Bringing ZK tech to Bitcoin

07:53 What is a "unified" layer 2?

09:21 Why use Starknet?

11:33 Posting proofs on-chain

13:26 OP_CAT

16:55 Collider script

19:35 Arch

20:09 SHA1 collisions?

22:43 Brute forcing covenants into Bitcoin

24:53 fear of soft fork

27:59 Quantum

32:16 Possible quantum futures

34:26 Why ZK_Starks for Satoshi's coins??

38:16 Confiscation vs network protection

43:18 Self custody future

-

👉 Brought to you by Arch Network! Arch brings the speed of Solana & the best of crypto UX to Bitcoin. Tap into the rich app ecosystem on Arch & try out the testnet while you’re still early! Visit arch.network to learn more.

-

👋Bitcoin Season 2 is produced Blockspace Media, Bitcoin’s first B2B publication in Bitcoin. Follow us on Twitter and check out our newsletter for the best information in Bitcoin mining, Ordinals and tech!

Enjoy the show? Check out our website and newsletter by clicking here.

Questions or want to sponsor? hello@blockspace.media

BITCOIN SEASON 2: Stop Ossification: Don't Let BTC Become a Rolex