Zero-Knowledge Proofs are methods in cryptography that let one person prove to another that they know a secret, without revealing the secret itself. This means information can be verified without sharing any details about it. These proofs help keep data private while still ensuring trust between parties.
Multi-Party Computation, or MPC, is a method that allows several people or organisations to work together on a calculation using their own private data, without revealing that data to each other. Each participant only learns the result of the computation, not the other parties’ inputs. This makes it possible to collaborate securely, even if there…
Homomorphic encryption is a method of encrypting data so that calculations can be performed on it without needing to decrypt it first. This means sensitive information can remain secure while still being processed or analysed. The results of the calculations, when decrypted, are the same as if they had been performed on the original data….
A Merkle Tree is a way of organising data into a tree structure where each leaf node represents a piece of data and each non-leaf node is a hash of its child nodes. This structure allows for quick and secure verification of large sets of data, as any change in a single data point will…
State channels are a technique used in blockchain systems to allow two or more parties to carry out multiple transactions without needing to record each one on the blockchain. Instead, the parties communicate directly and only add the final result to the blockchain. This reduces costs and avoids delays caused by waiting for blockchain confirmations….
A hash collision occurs when two different pieces of data are processed by a hash function and produce the same output value, known as a hash. Hash functions are designed to turn data of any size into a fixed-size value, but because there are more possible inputs than outputs, collisions are unavoidable. Hash collisions can…
A digital signature is a secure electronic method used to verify the authenticity of a digital message or document. It proves that the sender is who they claim to be and that the content has not been altered since it was signed. Digital signatures rely on mathematical techniques and encryption to create a unique code…
A cryptographic hash function is a mathematical process that takes any amount of digital data and creates a fixed-size string of characters, which appears random. This process is designed so that even a small change in the original data will result in a completely different output. The function is also one-way, meaning it is practically…
Chainlink VRF, or Verifiable Random Function, is a blockchain technology that provides provably fair and tamper-proof random numbers. It is often used in smart contracts that require trusted random outcomes, such as games or lotteries. By using Chainlink VRF, developers can ensure that the random numbers used in their applications are both secure and verifiable…
Oracles are services or systems that provide external data to blockchain networks or smart contracts. Because blockchains cannot directly access information outside their own network, oracles act as bridges to bring in data like prices, weather, or event outcomes. This allows smart contracts to react to real-world events automatically and securely.