Official announcements from other cryptocurrency projects

New Algorithm Cuts Bitcoin M31 Multiplication Cost by 70%, Enhances STARK Verification

Aug 26, 2024, 01:26 PM

A significant advancement has been made in Bitcoin multiplication and STARK verification with the development of a new algorithm for M31 multiplication. This algorithm, created by Avihu28, reduces the multiplication cost by 70% and does not rely on OP_CAT. The integration of this algorithm into the OP_CAT-based Circle STARK verifier is expected to significantly decrease verification costs. The optimization process, led by Weikeng Chen and Ping Zhouyuan, was executed rapidly, reducing the M31 multiplication cost from 1418 to 402 in just four days. This breakthrough is part of the ongoing evolution of Bitcoin Script techniques, which include optimization tricks for non-native finite field arithmetic and the verification of merkle trees using OP_CAT.