Running Bitcoin ZK Knots, baby!
We've successfully run a POC verifying a STARK proof of Bitcoin's mainnet block #1 inside a modified Bitcoin Knots client.
The proof validates critical consensus rules:
- Timestamp
- Chain difficulty
- Block difficulty
- Proof of Work
Here’s the technical flow:
- A Cairo program defines the block header consensus rules & generates the execution trace: 
- The STWO prover generates the STARK proof from the trace: 
- A modified ProcessNewBlockHeaders function in Bitcoin Knots performs the proof verification: 
The main purpose of this POC was to test the integration of our Rust-based proving stack into the C++ codebase.
The ultimate vision? To improve Initial Block Download (IBD) dramatically by allowing the entire chain's validity to be verified with a single recursive proof.
Once Raito is fully equipped with recursive proving and strong performance, we'll be back to implement a full, real-world IBD with ZK verification enabled. Stay tuned!
Follow our StarkWare Bitcoin Github for updates: 
GitHub
raito/packages/assumevalid/src/lib.cairo at 1cca29f0435ef74b34c8cca29f76393c7079b898 · starkware-bitcoin/raito
Bitcoin ZK client written in Cairo. Contribute to starkware-bitcoin/raito development by creating an account on GitHub.
GitHub
GitHub - starkware-libs/stwo-cairo: Prove Cairo programs with the blazing-fast S-two prover, powered by the cryptographic breakthrough of Circle STARKs.
Prove Cairo programs with the blazing-fast S-two prover, powered by the cryptographic breakthrough of Circle STARKs. - starkware-libs/stwo-cairo
GitHub
bitcoin/src/validation.cpp at c2505b4c9a3a420634de651220f76285e0b7ee64 · starkware-bitcoin/bitcoin
Bitcoin Knots enhanced Bitcoin node/wallet software - starkware-bitcoin/bitcoin
GitHub
StarkWare Bitcoin
StarkWare Bitcoin Exploration Team. StarkWare Bitcoin has 21 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.
