StarkWare, a company pioneering zero-knowledge (ZK) technology for secure information verification, has launched a lightweight ZK solution for verifying Bitcoin transactions on mobile devices. This groundbreaking development allows users to verify Bitcoin payments without downloading the entire blockchain, which is over 680 gigabytes in size. The new system utilizes StarkWare’s “BTC ledger proof” and comes in at just one megabyte (MB). This compact size enables near-instantaneous verification of transactions within under 100 milliseconds, according to Abdelhamid Bakhta, head of ecosystem at StarkWare. This innovation builds upon Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) concept introduced by Satoshi Nakamoto, enabling smaller client nodes to verify payments without downloading the entire blockchain. StarkWare’s announcement is significant as it makes Bitcoin verification accessible for everyone, even those with limited technical expertise. This change addresses a major barrier to entry for wider adoption of Bitcoin, removing the need for costly and complex full node setups. The ease of access aligns with Bitcoin’s core value proposition: decentralization, which relies on independent node runners enforcing consensus mechanisms. However, concerns regarding node size and potential centralization persist. While Bitcoin nodes are relatively easy to set up compared to other blockchain networks, they require significant resources due to the size of the network ledger. The potential for large service providers to control the network due to excessive hardware requirements poses a challenge. Notably, in May, Bitcoin Core developers announced an upcoming update that will remove the OP_Return limit, which caps the amount of non-monetary data allowed within transactions. This change has spurred increased usage of alternative node software like Bitcoin Knots, offering greater customization and control over data storage. With these advancements, StarkWare’s contribution aims to accelerate wider adoption and create a more accessible experience for everyone.