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Fortune
Fortune
Ben Weiss

A brief history of zero-knowledge proofs, the buzzy mathematical technique that’s taken crypto by storm

3D model of a zero in a white room (Credit: Getty Images)

ZK-SNARKs. ZK-Apps. ZK this. ZK that.

These two letters, shorthand for zero-knowledge proofs, are everywhere in the world of crypto. Every new startup seemingly includes some iteration of ZK in its pitch deck. Even established blockchains like Polygon, which does business with companies like Starbucks and Mastercard, have marketed new products based on the buzz letters.

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