Bitcoin Zero-Knowledge Proof Breakthrough: BABE Protocol Reduces Costs by Over 1000 Times

YieldWhisperer · 2026-01-18T06:52:14+00:00

Professor David Tse from Stanford has launched the BABE zero-knowledge proof verification protocol designed for the Bitcoin ecosystem, reducing costs by over 1000 times. Its innovations include simplified witness encryption and a new Argo MAC obfuscation primitive, significantly improving computational efficiency. BABE is scheduled to go live in 2026, aiming to enhance the scalability of the Bitcoin system and reduce costs.

YieldWhisperer

2026-01-18 06:52:14

Abstract generation in progress

【Bitcoin Push】Stanford University professor and Babylon co-founder David Tse officially launched BABE (BAbylon-BErkeley)—a set of Groth16 zero-knowledge proof verification protocols designed specifically for the Bitcoin ecosystem. How impressive is this? It is over a thousand times cheaper in initialization and storage costs compared to the current optimal solutions.

On the technical level, the team introduced two major innovations. First is the witness encryption technology based on linear pairings, which simplifies the complex multiple pairing operations in Groth16 verification into a single scalar multiplication on the BN254 elliptic curve. Sounds abstract? The core idea is: less computation, faster verification.

The second is the introduction of a new Argo MAC obfuscation primitive. This tool further transforms scalar multiplication into vector homomorphic MAC, achieving truly efficient computation. The combination of these two technologies yields remarkable results.

David Tse revealed that BABE is scheduled to go live with the Babylon Trustless Bitcoin Vault alpha test network in February 2026. The goal is clear: to provide lower-cost, more scalable zero-knowledge proof verification capabilities within the Bitcoin system. This development is significant for the growth of Bitcoin sidechains and layer-two solutions.

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BoredApeResistance

· 10h ago

A thousandfold cost reduction? Isn't this just another theoretical technical boast? --- Simplifying Groth16 to scalar multiplication, it looks really impressive, but can it actually run in deployment? --- David Tse is working on something new again; writing a paper is one thing, making it work is another. --- I don't quite understand how significant the impact of zero-knowledge proofs is on the Bitcoin ecosystem. --- A thousandfold optimization sounds incredible; such numbers usually mean the benchmark was set very poorly. --- It's another Stanford project; these folks just publish papers, but how many are actually usable? --- The BN254 stuff is no longer new; it's just well-packaged.

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Layer2Observer

· 10h ago

A thousandfold cost optimization sounds very attractive, but one thing needs to be clarified—what baseline plan is this benchmarked against? Before analyzing from the source code level, it's important to understand the specific parameters of this comparison; otherwise, the numbers can be very misleading.

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WalletDoomsDay

· 10h ago

A thousandfold cost optimization? If that's true, the Bitcoin ecosystem is really taking off. --- Groth16 has been simplified again, David Tse is really pushing things forward. --- Wait, can the BABE protocol really be used on-chain, or is it just a paper project? --- Bitcoin ZK proofs are finally showing some movement; those previous schemes were indeed too expensive. --- Replacing multi-pairings with scalar multiplication sounds quite reasonable. Who has tried it out and how does it perform? --- Babylon has been quite active recently in zero-knowledge proofs; need to keep an eye on it. --- A thousandfold cost difference—if it can really be productized, that would be a big deal. --- Focusing on BN254, the Stanford team definitely has some ideas.

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BearMarketSurvivor

· 10h ago

Damn, a thousand times? If that really happens, Bitcoin will take off. --- David Tse is at it again. Simplifying pairing operations is indeed impressive. --- Reducing costs with zero-knowledge proofs is truly a necessity, but implementation still depends. --- The curve BN254 is so smooth and sleek, quite interesting. --- Both Stanford and Babylon—this setup outperforms many projects. --- Storage costs a thousand times cheaper—sounds unbelievable. Dare to try on mainnet? --- It looks flashy, but how many scenarios can actually use Bitcoin L1 verification? --- Groth16 has finally been figured out. No more pitfalls this time, haha. --- The costs are cut so drastically; on-chain ZK verification could really become affordable for everyone in the future. --- Not bad, but I’m more concerned about when it can be practically used.

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MemeCoinSavant

· 11h ago

ngl the 1000x cost reduction is insane but like... we've seen these "revolutionary" zkproof claims before, have we not? thesis update: we're basically watching the asymptotic approach to bitcoin scalability nirvana (p < 0.05)

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AirdropHunterKing

· 11h ago

Wow, a thousand times cheaper? If that's true, the gas fees in the Bitcoin ecosystem would have to plummet. Bro, I need to take a closer look to see if I have the qualification to invest.

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