The Big Picture
Today, most of our technology infrastructure is at the mercy of big-tech companies and nation states, who at the push of a button could choose to use this infrastructure against us. We should all have the freedom to interact online without living in fear of our favored technology misleading, monitoring or censoring us.
At StarkWare we are building infrastructure for an online environment where things work differently. We call it the Integrity Web. We envision it as a layer of the internet that puts you back in control and gives you true ownership of all that matters.
What Will the Integrity Web Actually Give Us?
The Integrity Web will check that companies and governments are keeping the promises they make to us regarding online interactions. It will verify this in a manner that is so watertight that even the companies of governments will be unable to circumvent or disrupt it. Our vision is a world where integrity is publicly demonstrated, and upheld by all.
By integrity, we mean everyone doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. We’re not naive – we know human nature won’t get us there. But math and cryptography will. The Integrity Web concept doesn’t rely on people promising they won’t mislead you, censor, or surveil you. Instead, it will actually be impossible for them to do so because of cryptography deployed globally on blockchains.
The Integrity Web will be a secure, transparent, and decentralized online environment where trust is built into the system and cannot be bought or compromised.
The Mission
The World We Want to Create
Our aim is to bring about the Integrity Web. It will connect and scale different blockchains, so they can realize their potential and empower people. We want a world where individuals truly own their digital actions, assets, and lives, and the Integrity Web is the way to achieve it.
The Unique Tech We’re Using to Do It
The missing link that has prevented such an initiative is scale. It has proved impossible until now to achieve mass scale with decentralized networks without compromising blockchain values.
The ZK-STARK protocol, invented by StarkWare, changes this dynamic. ZK-STARKs scale blockchain with zero compromises (see Math Never Lies: Why We Scale With STARKS for more details). ZK-STARKs will deliver the Integrity Web, and at StarkWare, we are developing and democratizing their use for global-scale real-world blockchain applications. It’s not just that we scale; it’s also how we scale. ZK-STARKs provide a pathway to privacy on the blockchain. And we use them to offer a user experience on the Integrity Web that is as intuitive as using an app on a smartphone.
Tangible Steps on Ethereum; More to Do With Bitcoin
We have used the tech we have built so far to take tangible steps towards the Integrity Web by successfully scaling Ethereum. We are continually innovating to make sure we are scaling Ethereum in the most efficient and user-friendly way possible. The next part of our mission includes scaling Bitcoin. What is more, we will enable the world’s two biggest blockchains to easily “talk to each other” by enabling trustless interoperability between Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The Momentum We’re Creating Matters Far Beyond Finance
Blockchain has more and more momentum thanks to scaling, and we are convinced this will revolutionize finance – and beyond. It will actually change the power dynamics between individuals and the tech platforms we use daily.
Today, to use the tech platforms that make our lives comfortable, we surrender our agency and data and let big tech act on our behalf, custody our assets, and turn us into the product. If we don’t agree, we’re left behind tech-wise. The Integrity Web will offer a new path. And market pressure will send companies rushing to explore it. Ownership will return to us and real alternatives will arise to serve the many who don’t want to surrender their agency to big tech.
Our Values
These values drive our actions and guide our thinking
- Integrity: It’s all about integrity. Integrity is in our math, in the tech we build, and in our conduct. We ensure that StarkWare and its team always uphold this value, even when no one is watching.
- Broadness: We want to see STARK-based technology adopted far and wide, across continents, cultures, and social classes. This is not only good for humanity, it’s good for the technology itself. A diverse and inclusive team and ecosystem most effectively protect networks from the domination of any single entity. In other words, the vision of freedom and sovereignty is best served through widespread adoption.
- Community: Family, friends, and community form the backbone of a successful company, as well as a free society.
- Meritocracy: Excellence in mathematics and cryptography drives us. At StarkWare, merit outweighs hierarchy, and we partner with teams committed to top-tier research and development.
- Generosity: StarkWare is a significant player, but we don’t throw our weight around. Instead, we act with respect and generosity towards everyone—collaborators, competitors, or colleagues. This applies internally too, across all levels. We welcome others outside of StarkWare exploring STARKs and learn from critiques, recognizing that success comes from diverse contributions, and always giving credit to others when it is due.
A Final Thought
We are a unique company: math and cryptography innovators with a passion for fixing finance and society with math. Our head is in the sky – economics, social theory and math – but our boots are in the mud, writing safe and efficient software for developers and end-users. With our smarts, STARKs, teamwork, and our egalitarian ethos, no blockchain is too steep for StarkWare to scale.
