Cardano Founder Applauds Launch of First zkApp on Midnight Blockchain

• Co-founder of Paima Studio, Sebastien Guillemot has announced the introduction of a Zero Knowledge app running on Cardano’s sidechain, Midnight.
• Charles Hoskinson responded to the initiative on X with a Star Wars meme conveying his assurance that the incorporation of zkApps on Midnight is progressing precisely as planned.

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The first-ever zero-knowledge application (zkApp) has been launched on Cardano’s Midnight sidechain, a development that has excited both the community and the platform’s founder, Charles Hoskinson. This innovation is a result of Midnight partnering with Paima Studios, a gaming studio that focuses on the development of web3 gaming technologies within the blockchain sector.

Sebastien Guillemot, the co-founder of Paima Studios, announced the launch of the zkApp on X. At its core, this partnership is set to simplify the development of multi-stack decentralized applications (dApps) and empower developers to leverage the strengths of different blockchain ecosystems seamlessly.

First ever Midnight zkApp running in the browser 🔥

Look how fast the proof generation is too 👀

ZK is coming to Cardano and beyond

Combine this with our previous work, and every dApp will soon have ZK-powered components 💪 pic.twitter.com/S13wxegiX2

— Sebastien Guillemot (@SebastienGllmt) November 14, 2024

What to Expect from zkApps on Midnight

In the announcement, Guillemot highlighted the impressive speed and efficiency of the proof generation process, viewing it as a substantial milestone toward a future where privacy-focused applications can easily integrate across various blockchains.

For additional insight, zkApps stand to benefit significantly from the Midnight sidechain, ultimately enhancing the Cardano blockchain. By providing users with improved privacy and security, zkApps allows individuals to engage with applications while maintaining control over their personal data. Users can utilize proof of their information, selectively disclosing only what they want, which stands in stark contrast to traditional approaches. 

Additionally, while other blockchains often face unpredictable gas fees, zkApps on Midnight can perform complex off-chain computations with a consistently low verification fee for the zero-knowledge proofs on the blockchain. 

Midnight aims to resolve the scalability and functional limitations of the Cardano main chain, enabling developers to create intricate smart contracts that were previously unfeasible. By being designed with accessibility in mind and supporting popular programming languages like Typescript, Midnight will empower developers to build and deploy applications more easily, further enhancing the capabilities of the Cardano ecosystem.

Cardano’s Founder Weighs In

In response to Guillemot’s announcement, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson expressed his excitement through a playful Star Wars-themed GIF. The clip featured Emperor Palpatine declaring, “Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen,” highlighting his approval and eagerness for the developments in zkApps. 

As we reported, Hoskinson conveyed a similar sense of optimism following the launch of Midnight Testnet in October. Hard forks were initiated on the Testnet, enabling enhancements to the network’s performance and features during the Testnet phase and afterward. 

With rising engagement with the Midnight sidechain among developers, users are likely to experience a shift in their sentiments. This change is fueled by an increasing demand for ADA, which may result in a rise in the token’s value. ADA is trading at $0.7244, showing a 1.38% decrease in the past hour. However, it has seen a 22.69% increase over the last 24 hours.

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