209: Solving Digital Trust with ZK Verify: Robert Viglione on Zero-Knowledge and Web3’s Future

In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, I chat with Robert Viglione, co-founder of ZK Verify and Horizon Labs, about the transformative power of zero-knowledge (ZK) technology. We explore: What zero-knowledge proofs are and why they matter in a digital, AI-driven world. How ZK Verify solves privacy and trust challenges in DeFi, digital identity, and beyond. Real-world use cases for ZK, including fraud prevention, gaming, and cryptographic verification. Rob’s journey from early Bitcoin adopter to building ZK tools for Web3’s future. Whether you're a cryptography enthusiast or curious about Web3’s next big trend, this is a conversation packed with insights and actionable ideas. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction: Sam introduces Robert Viglione and the discussion on zero-knowledge proofs and their real-world applications. [00:01:00] Rob’s Background: From Air Force scientist to Bitcoin adopter, PhD in crypto finance, and building Horizon Labs. [00:03:00] Early Bitcoin Insights: Reflecting on Bitcoin’s deflationary nature and the shift toward its store-of-value use case. [00:05:00] What is ZK Verify?: Solving digital trust issues in a post-AI world. Verifying cryptographic proofs without exposing sensitive information. [00:07:00] Use Cases: Private DeFi: Protecting financial data while enabling transparency. Gaming: Verifiable randomness to ensure fairness. Digital Identity: ZK logins for privacy-preserving access. AI and Journalism: Cryptographic signatures for verifying content authenticity. [00:15:00] Challenges in Scaling ZK: Overcoming old mindsets and building modular solutions to enhance usability and reduce costs. [00:22:00] Future of ZK and Web3: Predictions on L1 and L2 consolidation and ZK’s role in bridging Web3 and Web2. [00:30:00] Biggest Pain Points: Why institutional adoption of private DeFi is crucial and how cryptography can solve issues like click fraud in digital advertising. [00:37:00] Regulation and Clarity: The end of the “crypto war” in the U.S. and its positive impact on the industry. [00:39:00] Closing Thoughts: Rob’s optimism for a cryptography-driven Web3 future and his team’s focus on building impactful solutions. Connect https://zkverify.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-viglione-2780634/ https://x.com/ZKVProtocol https://x.com/robviglione Disclaimer Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/