Integrity Verifier: A big step towards ultra-high scalability for Starknet

Original translation: TinTinLand

Core Viewpoint

• An integrity verifier developed by Herodotus that enables developers to verify Cairo programs executed elsewhere on Starknet.

• The integrity verifier enables Layer 3 scaling by introducing an additional layer of proof compression on Starknet before Ethereum settlement, reducing costs.

• L3 scaling is one of several options for improving Starknet’s scalability, opening the door to building fully customizable appchains that can benefit from the additional cost reduction benefits of integrity validators.

• Other use cases will also benefit from the integrity verifier’s verification capabilities on Starknet, including proof-of-storage verification and zero-knowledge machine learning.

introduction

Two years ago, StarkWare introduced the concept of fractal scaling and Layer 3, which enables developers to build fully customizable application chains with lower costs than Layer 2 networks. Now, storage proof innovator Herodotus is taking the first major step towards introducing this capability to Starknet.

With support from StarkWare, Herodotus has launched its integrity verifier, which enables developers to verify Stone proofs on Starknet. With this new verifier, developers can verify Cairo programs executed elsewhere on Starknet in the same way they verify Starknet executions on Ethereum.

Opening the door to L3 application chains

One of the most powerful capabilities of the integrity verifier is that it enables developers to build specialized chains (application chains) on Starknet at a lower cost.

This requires building a layer on top of Starknet where transactions can be executed and bundled into a proof that proves their validity. The verification of these proofs on L2 is where the integrity verifier comes into play. With this new verifier, proofs generated using Stone (and Stwo to come) can be verified on Starknet, thus verifying transactions executed on the application chain.

Since Starknet appchains are still settled on Ethereum, they inherit the security of its network, just like Starknet itself. But appchains on Starknet also offer additional benefits:

• Customization: Overall, AppChains provide developers with greater flexibility than they already have on public L2, maximizing the ability to customize every aspect of their applications. For example, customizing block size, latency, data availability patterns, and even implementing features that public L2 does not support.

• Ultra-high scalability: When application chains are built as L3, Starknet further compresses proofs before verifying them on Ethereum. Such application chains benefit from another cost reduction, making it economically more feasible to develop more complex use cases, such as high-frequency DeFi transactions, supply chain management, and full-chain games.

• Avoiding congestion: Application chains provide a more stable transaction environment (critical for real-time applications like games) and avoid potential network congestion on public L2 once blockchain achieves mass adoption.

• Other benefits of scalable authentication

Zooming out, since Cairo is a Turing-complete language, the integrity verifier verifies the execution of Cairo programs, which makes it possible to cheaply verify any computation on Starknet. This additional layer of cost reduction can benefit many use cases, and two prominent examples besides application chains are storage proof and zero-knowledge machine learning (ZKML).

Proof of Storage makes it economically feasible to verify any blockchain state at any past point in time without the need to trust a third party. Interestingly, Herodotus, the team behind the integrity verifier, recently took Proof of Storage one step further by providing trustless proofs of Ethereum starting from the genesis block. STARK proofs reduce the cost of Proof of Storage, and the integrity verifier opens the door to further reduce costs.

As AI becomes more part of our lives, the concept of ZKML, which uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify the computations of AI models, is gaining more and more attention.

In areas like AI, where transparency is often lacking, the emergence of integrity validators could be a game changer. Scalable AI verification cannot provide insight into how a model “thinks” or reaches conclusions, but it can verify that the correct model was indeed used. Tools like integrity validators could make ZKML more economically viable by making verification of AI models more cost-effective.

Herodotus has announced a collaboration with ZKML innovator Giza to empower developers to build powerful, secure, and trustless AI applications through the expansion of new technologies such as integrity verifiers.

in conclusion

The launch of the integrity validator represents the first step towards ultra-high scalability for Starknet. By enabling developers to validate Cairo programs executed elsewhere on Starknet, the validator opens up entirely new capabilities for the network. These capabilities range from building customizable application chains with additional cost reductions to developing new use cases such as ZKML. L3 is just one of the tools that will enhance Starknet scalability, with more to come.

Starknet Seed Grant Program

In order to help more developers enter the Starknet ecosystem and efficiently develop new projects, the Starknet ecosystem launched the Seed Funding Program, which aims to support more development teams to strengthen the development of the Starknet ecosystem by providing up to US$25,000 USDC non-dilution funding rewards.

The Seed Grant Program has a streamlined application and assessment process, with the goal of making a decision within approximately two weeks of application submission.

Seed funding is mainly for projects that have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept (POC) but have not yet been launched. Projects and teams that meet the following criteria can apply:

• Actively participate in Starknet community activities, or have participated in Starknet hackathons, builder programs or other entry-level programs;

• An MVP or POC has been developed;

• Projects planning to use or build upon existing Starknet tools and integrations.

All teams should present a clear plan detailing how they will use the funds over the next three months. The Starknet community welcomes applications from all industries, with no restrictions on product types.

application process

• Apply

Project applications are available by submitting an application form. A clear roadmap is required to explain how the funding will be used over the next three months.

• Internal Review

An internal committee will evaluate each application based on potential impact, innovation, milestones, community engagement, track record, and integration with the Starknet ecosystem.

• Result Notification

We plan to notify you of the outcome of your application in approximately two weeks.

• Process

After successfully completing KYC (Know Your Customer) and signing the funding agreement, you will receive the funding.

• Follow-up

After three months, the Foundation will follow up with grantees and evaluate results. Grantees should share regular updates (blog posts, videos, AMAs, etc.) with the team to assist in this process.

Ineligible applicants

This program is not suitable for mature projects. If your product has been online for more than three months and/or has a group of core users, it is not eligible for the Seed Funding Program.

The Starknet community does not accept applications related to:

• gamble

• poison

• firearms

• illegal trading

• Money Laundering

• Any criminal activity

apply immediately

▶️ https://forms.monday.com/forms/34e1d6aab0c5a173758aa66ee34660cf?r=apse2

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Seed Grant Scheme?

The Seed Grant Program aims to support teams in strengthening the development of the Starknet ecosystem by providing non-dilutive funding rewards of up to $25,000 in USDC.

• Who can apply

The Seed Grant Program is mainly aimed at projects that have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept (POC) but have not yet been launched on the market.

Projects and teams that meet the following criteria may apply:

• Actively participate in Starknet community activities, or have participated in Starknet hackathons, builder programs or other entry-level programs;

• An MVP or POC has been developed;

• Projects planning to use or build upon existing Starknet tools and integrations.

• How long does it take to receive a response to my application ?

Applicants can expect to receive a response within two weeks.

• What kind of projects are mainly funded?

There are no restrictions on product types. Any project built on Starknet that does not meet the requirements can apply for funding.

• Application Advice

When applying, it is critical to provide a comprehensive overview of your project, which should include its goals, potential impact, and how it aligns with the Starknet ecosystem.

Clearly articulate your project’s unique value proposition and how it solves existing challenges or addresses opportunities in the ecosystem.

Additionally, detail your team’s expertise, experience, and contributions to demonstrate why your team is the best fit to make this project a reality.

Having a well-thought-out plan for the use of funds is critical because it will demonstrate a clear understanding of how funds will be allocated, driving project success.

• Are there any restrictions on the industry?

We welcome applications from all sectors and have no restrictions on the types of projects considered.

• What if you need more than 25,000?

If you require more than $25,000, we recommend that you consider other funding sources or discuss your specific needs with our team.

While the Seed Grant Program provides funding capped at $25,000, we understand that some projects may require more funding.

Feel free to contact us to discuss possible alternatives or opportunities for further support.

• Will you prefer projects that are already built on Starknet and participating in the ecosystem?

While any project can apply, your project will have a better chance of standing out if you can demonstrate previous collaboration and involvement with Starknet.

? For more information about QA, please check the original text:

https://www.starknet.io/en/ecosystem/grant

The first batch of selected projects

The first batch of selected projects for the Seed Grant Program have been announced. We hope that more developers will find their own development inspiration from the exploration of these projects!

The first batch of selected projects include:

• Blockchain game developer Underware

Founded in 2023 by Rob Morris and mataleone, a collaboration between funDAOmental and Endless Crawler, is an on-chain game studio comprised of veteran builders, artists, designers, storytellers, and pioneers at the vanguard of full-chain gaming and autonomous worlds.

• ML Village, a blockchain game

ML Village is building an AI model marketplace with a focus on Bot vs. Bot on-chain games, and zkML will be used for proofs of on-chain/off-chain reasoning.

• Thunder, an online collectibles marketplace

Thunder allows you to experience the thrill of card trading, seamlessly protecting and simplifying your online collection. Thunders partnership with Starknet will revolutionize collectibles trading. We look forward to faster transactions, lower fees, and enhanced scalability in the future.

• Hybrid on-chain/off-chain limit order book DEX LayerAkire

LayerAkira is building the first hybrid on-chain/off-chain central limit order book (CLOB) on Starknet, aiming to provide deep liquidity and standardize fairness and price transparency for everyone on the network.

• Online role-playing game Starkane

Starkane is an anime-style fully chained tactical RPG built on the innovative Dojo engine and leveraging Unity for 3D graphics, where gamers and creators can participate in a vast game universe.

• Decentralized game server Primis Protocol

Primis Protocol provides decentralized game servers powered by Liquid Staking to create the ultimate blockchain game world. Its core game features endless progression and combat, extensive development options, and user-generated content. It is associated with an economic model using liquid staking, where the value of the asset determines the complexity and scale of the game.

• AI interactive game Tale Weaver

Tale Weaver combines AI with interactive games to allow players to rewrite the rules of digital storytelling. Players can influence the story and witness the plot develop in an infinite cycle of choices and consequences, with the goal of revolutionizing the world of on-chain games and NFTs.

• DeFi yield aggregator STRKFarm

By easily navigating Starknet’s vast DeFi landscape on STRKFarm, users can identify the most valuable pools and maximize $STRK rewards. STRKFarm will bring users the ultimate yield aggregator on Starknet and will soon launch exclusive early adopter NFTs.

• Compliance Fundraising Agreement Kamea Labs

Kamea Labs is building the future of fundraising in partnership with Genki, a fully compliant, self-custodial platform that allows users to showcase their projects to investors who care.

• Decentralized non-custodial prize savings protocol Bountive

Bountive is a decentralized, non-custodial bonus savings protocol on Starknet that provides users with no-loss bonuses and is the first decentralized bonus savings protocol based on the concept of bonus-linked savings account.

• Cairo Learning Protocol CodeJam

CodeJam is an online education platform focused on Web3 courses, designed to make it easy for new developers to learn, without any setup, just visit its website, register, learn and practice coding. CodeJams goal is to attract the next wave of developers to learn Cairo and delve into StarkNet!

• Open Source Wallet Cypherock Wallet

Using the hardware wallet CypherockWallet X 1 can ensure the safety of users digital assets, and has currently protected more than US$50 million in assets.

• AMM Protocol BrownFi

BrownFi is a novel AMM protocol inspired by traditional limit order books, where liquidity providers allocate assets into pools following a similar bonding curve to maximize benefits for everyone.

• The ORugging Trail, an on-chain text adventure protocol

This is a fully on-chain text adventure game launched by Archetypal Tech. The project will first attempt to port TheOrugginTrail to Cairo and study its composability with games with overlapping aesthetics and themes.

• Fixed Income MarketsLila Finance

LilaFinance is launching fixed income DeFi. Lila uses a decentralized fixed income market where NFTs represent financial positions in a tradable form, providing users with fixed income with greater transparency and efficiency.

• On-chain game Grugs Lair

This is a fully on-chain game built by the Grugs Lair team, such as Rising Revenant, Blob Arena, and Plagues Survivor.

• Web3 Gaming Dashboard Wendash Analytics

Wendashboard Analytics provides a comprehensive dashboard for Web3 gaming projects, providing team members and players with essential tools for on-chain statistics and success.

• Coordination Stack, a toolkit focused on finance, identity, and governance

The CoordinationLab stack provides a toolkit focused on finance, identity, and governance to improve efficiency and scalability for internet-native enterprises.

• StarkShoot, a shooting game on the blockchain

StarkShoot is a groundbreaking multiplayer real-world on-chain gaming experience that pushes the boundaries of excitement and innovation.

• Payment Gateway Inflow

Inflow Pay facilitates seamless transactions from fiat to cryptocurrencies for B2C businesses, providing a reliable payment gateway that allows businesses to easily navigate the digital economy.

This article is sourced from the internet: Integrity Verifier: A big step towards ultra-high scalability for Starknet

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