Zcash Completes 'Powers of Tau' Privacy Ceremony
Zcash is one step closer to undertaking an upcoming hardfork with the completion of its Powers of Tau ceremony.
The ceremony saw developers, community members and other contributors created random code for the zcash privacy protocol in order to make it more secure.
Notably, those involved then got rid of the cryptographic "toxic waste" - the random code used to secure the protocol - by destroying their computers or otherwise wiping the machines used to generate the data.
This procedure prevents malicious actors from attacking the protocol or creating counterfeit tokens, as previously detailed by CoinDesk.
Sean Bowe, a member of the Zcash Foundation, announced the completion on the project's mailing list.
He added in the message:
"All of the participants did a wonderful job, and I'm very happy with the diversity and openness of the ceremony. Many members of the crypto and cryptocurrency communities participated or played witness to what took place."
Nearly 90 individuals or teams participated in the ceremony, each using unique methods to generate the cryptographic toxic waste, according to the Foundation's Github page.
The methods used to create - and later destroy - this data ranged from looking at lava lamps to introduce randomness, to using radioactive waste material to generate code.
All of these actions were taken in preparation for the second of two hard forks scheduled for 2018. While some members of the zcash community are preparing for the first hard fork, dubbed Overwinter, Powers of Tau is specifically targeted at the more impactful Sapling hard fork.
Sapling, as previously reported, will introduce several new features, including a payment disclosure method, inter-blockchain transactions and the issuance of zcash tokens.
Code image via Shutterstock
The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups.
zcashzk-SNARKs
Popular
$10K Test? Bitcoin Price Hits 4-Week High As Altcoins Shine
Bitcoin hit four-week highs in Asian hours but continues to underperform when compared to alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins).
Having scaled a long-term bearish trendline, the world's largest c
DOJ Charges ICO Co-Founder With Securities Fraud
The Department of Justice has unveiled fraud charges against another co-founder of cryptocurrency startup Centra, a move that comes weeks after two other founders were arrested and charged.
The U.S
Russia's Supreme Court Orders Review of Crypto Website Ban
The Supreme Court of Russia has directed a court in the city of St. Petersburg to consider an appeal against a blocked cryptocurrency information website.
According to Russian legal information sit
Quebec's Chief Scientist Denies Dismissing Crypto Concerns
Contrary to recent media reports, the Chief Scientist of Quebec has not downplayed concerns about the illicit use of cryptocurrencies, his office said.
On Thursday, several media organizations publ
Amazon Web Services launches 'blockchain templates'
Amazon.com wants to make it easier for developers to create projects based on the blockchain technology underlying bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The company's cloud computing division
Cloud Giant Xunlei Claims Blockchain Advance With 'ThunderChain'
Xunlei, the NASDAQ-listed cloud network provider, has launched its proprietary blockchain platform, despite ongoing class actions over an alleged initial coin offering (ICO).
At a press event in Be
Taiwan Eyes November Deadline for Bitcoin AML Regulation
Taiwan aims to formally regulate bitcoin under anti-money laundering (AML) rules before the end of the year.
According to the Taiwan Central News Agency, Chiu Tai-san, the country's minister of jus
Bitcoin Bull Trap? Not So, Says Lesser-Known Price Indicator
Is the reversal of a lesser-known bitcoin price indicator signaling a bull trap?
That's the question being asked by Twitter's more expert crypto analysts after bitcoin's rise to $8,500 this week, a