Zero-knowledge scalable transparent argument of knowledge (zk-STARK)

Zero-knowledge scalable transparent argument of knowledge (zk-STARK) is a cryptographic proof system that allows a verifier to check the correctness of a computation performed by a prover without revealing any information about the inputs involved in the computation. The zk-STARK protocol is scalable because it can handle computations involving large amounts of data, and it is transparent because it allows anyone to audit the computation without requiring access to any secret information. The zk-STARK protocol is important because it provides a way to build decentralized, trustless systems that can perform complex computations without requiring a trusted third party to verify the results. This makes it useful for applications such as blockchain technology, where a large number of independent nodes need to work together to maintain the integrity of the system.