Zero knowledge proof systems have found tremendous cryptographic utility in scaling blockchains, due to their ability to prove computational integrity, succinctly. However, despite recent advancements in ZKP R&D, their construction still requires special prover circuits. Their complexity is what gatekeeps zero knowledge technology to a select few astute teams. =nil; Foundation aims to challenge this status quo by providing an alternative through their zkLLVM circuit compiler and zk proof marketplace. By commoditising the production of custom proofs, =nil; Foundation unlocks an entire new range of applications employing zero knowledge technology. We were joined by Misha Komarov, co-founder of =nil; Foundation, to discuss the use cases and challenges of building the first marketplace for (outsourced) zero knowledge proofs. Topics covered in this episode: The vision behind =nil; FoundationUse cases for zk techzkLLVM circuit compilerHomomorphic encryption, ZKPs & privacy solutionsZKP marketplaceWhy proof markets (currently) run on DBMSMarketplace actorsProof generators vs. PoW minersInfrastructure challengesFuture roadmapEpisode links: Mikhail Komarov on Twitter=nil; Foundation on TwitterThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/514

Social media revolves around content creation, and while the content itself could be tokenised through NFTs, SocialFi aims to take it a step further. The recently released friend.tech app went to show that users might be interested in something more than just content - creator shares. This implicitly links back to handles and profiles, and we can slowly start to unveil the primitives of social media. Lens Protocol predates the friend.tech venture, in both timeline, as well as scope. While social media became synonymous with monopolistic central entities, Lens Protocol aims to build the decentralised bedrock for Web3’s social layer. These primitives would not only be interoperable with any Web3 application, but they would redefine content creation, feed generation and monetisation. We were joined by Stani Kulechov, founder of Lens Protocol & Aave, to discuss decentralised social graphs and how to leverage smart contracts to build the primitives for Web3's social layer. Topics covered in this episode: The vision behind LensLens V2 and smart contract capabilitiesSocial media development platformDefining the Web3 social media primitiveFeed generation algorithm on LensIntegrating on-chain and off-chain infrastructureThe tragedy of the commons in decentralised social mediaCan a public good architecture also accommodate private goods?Growth model, sponsored transactions and monetisationGovernance and decentralised social mediaEpisode links: Stani Kulechov on TwitterLens Protocol on TwitterAave on TwitterThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst & Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/512