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Zero Knowledge, Infinite Trust: The Evolution and Revolution of Blockchain Technology
An eye-opening discussion of how to apply new blockchain technologies to realize our digital potential
In Zero Knowledge, Infinite Trust, pioneering cryptographer, blockchain innovator, and the co-inventor of the STARK cryptographic system, Eli Ben-Sasson, delivers a deeply insightful discussion of the fundamental values and mathematical foundations on which society’s technological backbone will be built. Skipping the speculative frenzy and political manifestos that characterize much of the popular discussion in blockchain, Ben-Sasson reveals how blockchain’s greatest promise lies in humanity’s timeless pursuit of integrity and trust in digital interactions.
The book explains how Zero Knowledge Proofs and STARK technology are solving critical challenges that have prevented truly decentralized networks from achieving mass adoption. It demonstrates how to use these tools to protect privacy, secure personal data and digital identities, ensure election integrity, and address other contemporary threats to safety, security, and wellbeing.
Inside the book:
-A discussion of current technological development in the context of a broader historical context, drawing original insights into how digital trust is evolving today
-An exploration of how mathematical certainty can replace institutional authority
-An up-to-date guide to using powerful blockchain technologies to reshape fundamental structures
Perfect for tech professionals and enthusiasts concerned about digital privacy, corporate power, and the future of technology, Zero Knowledge, Infinite Trust offers a compelling new perspective on how to achieve the digital future we were all promised and have yet to realize.
In Zero Knowledge, Infinite Trust, pioneering cryptographer, blockchain innovator, and the co-inventor of the STARK cryptographic system, Eli Ben-Sasson, delivers a deeply insightful discussion of the fundamental values and mathematical foundations on which society’s technological backbone will be built. Skipping the speculative frenzy and political manifestos that characterize much of the popular discussion in blockchain, Ben-Sasson reveals how blockchain’s greatest promise lies in humanity’s timeless pursuit of integrity and trust in digital interactions.
The book explains how Zero Knowledge Proofs and STARK technology are solving critical challenges that have prevented truly decentralized networks from achieving mass adoption. It demonstrates how to use these tools to protect privacy, secure personal data and digital identities, ensure election integrity, and address other contemporary threats to safety, security, and wellbeing.
Inside the book:
-A discussion of current technological development in the context of a broader historical context, drawing original insights into how digital trust is evolving today
-An exploration of how mathematical certainty can replace institutional authority
-An up-to-date guide to using powerful blockchain technologies to reshape fundamental structures
Perfect for tech professionals and enthusiasts concerned about digital privacy, corporate power, and the future of technology, Zero Knowledge, Infinite Trust offers a compelling new perspective on how to achieve the digital future we were all promised and have yet to realize.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Eli Ben-Sasson
2 books4 followersEli Ben-Sasson is a mathematician and blockchain innovator. He developed the mathematical theory that enables blockchain to serve a mass audience and was among the first to demonstrate that Zero Knowledge cryptography brings scale and privacy to blockchains. Eli is co-inventor of several foundational cryptographic protocols: STARK, FRI, and Zerocash.
He was a co-founder and founding scientist of Zcash, and is co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of StarkWare. He sits on the board of the Starknet Foundation, the nonprofit driving adoption of Starknet, a permissionless blockchain aiming to expand the Bitcoin economy.
Eli has published dozens of peer-reviewed academic papers in the field of theoretical computer science, held research positions at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Harvard, MIT, and Technion, where he was a Professor of Computer Science. He is a married father of five.
He was a co-founder and founding scientist of Zcash, and is co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of StarkWare. He sits on the board of the Starknet Foundation, the nonprofit driving adoption of Starknet, a permissionless blockchain aiming to expand the Bitcoin economy.
Eli has published dozens of peer-reviewed academic papers in the field of theoretical computer science, held research positions at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Harvard, MIT, and Technion, where he was a Professor of Computer Science. He is a married father of five.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 30, 2026
I recommend this book to non-technical people that are skeptical of the value blockchains. Technical readers or people already familiar with blockchains will get less value from the book.
Ben-Sasson doesn't go into technical details on STARKs, FRI, IOPs, or Cairo. I really wish this book dove into more technical details because it was written extremely clearly and I think those advanced topics could benefit from clear writing.
The thesis is that STARKs enable an advancement in the Internet that the authors dub "The Integrity Web". The Integrity Web is a version of the Internet where users no longer blindly trust the information presented by platforms (e.g. banks, social media platforms, AI chatbots). Instead, those platforms attach a proof that proves to end-users that the information presented was calculated correctly. Kind of like how the green lock was added to websites to display https versus the less secure http. My perspective is that we need a similar mechanism to signal to end users that the data they see is "proved" as opposed to "unproved".
My biggest feedback is that this book could've used less references to "Starkware is an $8 billion dollar company" and more references to the tangible value Starkware provides to ordinary people. Successful companies don't point to their valuation, they let the work speak for itself. I realize the most impressive thing about Starkware could be it's $8 billion dollar valuation and that's why the authors choose to reference it repeatedly but I think there are more impressive things the authors could've used instead. For example, communicate the amount of traffic StarkNet and StarkEx deployments took off Ethereum mainnet. Then explain how these L2s make it cheaper for end-users to interact with both the L2 and Ethereum mainnet. Alternatively explain how the scaling limitations of current blockchains are aided by STARKs in general or StarkNet in particular.
Ben-Sasson doesn't go into technical details on STARKs, FRI, IOPs, or Cairo. I really wish this book dove into more technical details because it was written extremely clearly and I think those advanced topics could benefit from clear writing.
The thesis is that STARKs enable an advancement in the Internet that the authors dub "The Integrity Web". The Integrity Web is a version of the Internet where users no longer blindly trust the information presented by platforms (e.g. banks, social media platforms, AI chatbots). Instead, those platforms attach a proof that proves to end-users that the information presented was calculated correctly. Kind of like how the green lock was added to websites to display https versus the less secure http. My perspective is that we need a similar mechanism to signal to end users that the data they see is "proved" as opposed to "unproved".
My biggest feedback is that this book could've used less references to "Starkware is an $8 billion dollar company" and more references to the tangible value Starkware provides to ordinary people. Successful companies don't point to their valuation, they let the work speak for itself. I realize the most impressive thing about Starkware could be it's $8 billion dollar valuation and that's why the authors choose to reference it repeatedly but I think there are more impressive things the authors could've used instead. For example, communicate the amount of traffic StarkNet and StarkEx deployments took off Ethereum mainnet. Then explain how these L2s make it cheaper for end-users to interact with both the L2 and Ethereum mainnet. Alternatively explain how the scaling limitations of current blockchains are aided by STARKs in general or StarkNet in particular.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review