Vitalik Buterin Encourages Researchers to Participate in the Poseidon Cryptanalysis Program

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has encouraged researchers to participate in the ongoing Poseidon cryptanalysis program. He also stated that the ETH blockchain could consider adopting the Poseidon hash function to improve the platform's efficiency. Buterin's comments come as Poseidon grants to researchers have been extended further to March 15.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has encouraged researchers to participate in the ongoing Poseidon cryptanalysis program.

The cryptographer stated that the ETH blockchain could consider adopting the Poseidon hash function to improve the platform’s efficiency. Buterin’s comments come as Poseidon grants to researchers have been extended further to March 15.

Some critics have however, dismissed Buterin’s proposal. They pointed out that it would be slower than Keccak-256 and would be reliant on a specific prime field.

What Is The Poseidon Hash Function?

Poseidon is an algebraic hash function that is being used in a generation of efficient SNARKs. It is a network-critical technology for scaling Ethereum and is used to create new use cases.

The hash function is specifically optimized for computational integrity-proof systems such as SNARKs, STARKs, and Bulletproofs. It performs exceptionally well in scenarios where the proof of preimage knowledge under a hash function is required.

About Grants For Poseidon Cryptanalysis

Earlier this year, Buterin announced the opening of a grant program for researchers interested in contributing to the cryptanalysis of the Poseidon hash function.

This initiative was launched to engage the crypto community in examining the properties and vulnerabilities of the Poseidon hash function, which is being considered for integration into the ETH blockchain to enhance zk-prover efficiency.

Buterin’s interest in this area stems from his involvement in cryptocurrency research and development. He is a co-founder of Ethereum, a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts and aims to provide a secure and transparent foundation for next-generation applications.

In addition to his technical expertise, Buterin is known for his contributions to cryptocurrency theory and philosophy. He has written extensively on topics such as token economics, decentralized governance, and the future of finance in a digital age.

As the crypto space advances, new technologies and techniques are continually being developed to push the boundaries of what is possible. From blockchain scalability solutions to the integration of artificial intelligence, the industry is in a constant state of innovation.