Matter Labs Sparks Outrage in Crypto Community with Trademark Application for “Zero-Knowledge”
Matter Labs, the developer behind zkSync, has stirred up controversy within the crypto community by filing trademark applications for the term “zero-knowledge” (ZK) in nine countries. This move has raised concerns among many in the industry who believe it goes against the collaborative nature of the crypto space.
In addition to the trademark applications, Matter Labs has also attempted to register a token under the symbol “ZK” on several crypto exchanges. ZK technology plays a crucial role in cryptographic protocols, allowing users to prove the validity of data without revealing it.
Critics have voiced their disapproval of Matter Labs’ actions, with Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare, likening it to an individual baker trying to patent bread. Leading ZK projects, including prominent figures like Shafi Goldwasser and Vitalik Buterin, have called for the withdrawal of the trademark application, emphasizing that ZK is a public good that should be accessible to all.
In response, Matter Labs’ founder and CEO, Alex Gluchowski, has defended the trademark application, arguing that it is meant to protect users rather than companies. The debate over the ownership and accessibility of ZK technology is expected to intensify as its importance grows beyond blockchain applications.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed an innovative use case for ZK technology in the decentralized social media protocol Farcaster, highlighting the technology’s potential for wider adoption. As the crypto community grapples with the tension between private enterprise and public good, the future of ZK technology remains uncertain.
