# Privacy Matters, 47

By [Automata Network](https://paragraph.com/@automata-network) · 2024-06-25

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gm, readers.

At [Automata](https://www.ata.network/) we work on protecting privacy and fairness. And in this newsletter, we find more reasons to talk about it. Explore headlines and catch up on the biggest crypto news in Web3 privacy.

**This week:**

*   CBDC privacy concerns [stifle](https://cointelegraph.com/news/cbdc-privacy-progress-adoption) progress, only 4 live among 167 initiatives
    
*   Spain [extends](https://cryptoslate.com/spain-extends-worldcoin-ban-until-2024-end/) Worldcoin ban amid privacy concerns
    

**Op-Ed:**

*   [Unlocking](https://cointelegraph.com/news/zero-knowledge-proofs-eu-digital-id-wallet-regulation) privacy: ZK Proofs revolutionize EU's digital identity regulations
    
*   [Preserving](https://cryptoslate.com/privacy-as-a-human-right-in-crypto-an-uncompromising-stand/) privacy in crypto: Upholding a fundamental human right
    

**Zooming into ZK:**

*   Matter Labs [faces](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/06/05/the-protocol-another-episode-in-the-layer-2-teams-drama/?_gl=1*awfvvz*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTcwNjUwNjEwNC4xNzE3NjQxODk3*_ga_VM3STRYVN8*MTcxNzY0MTg5Ny4xLjEuMTcxNzY0MjAyOS4wLjAuMTE3NjM5NDIxNw..) backlash over 'ZK' trademark attempt
    
*   Polygon Labs [acquires](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/06/04/polygon-acquires-zero-knowledge-cryptography-firm-toposware/?_gl=1*1452km*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTcwNjUwNjEwNC4xNzE3NjQxODk3*_ga_VM3STRYVN8*MTcxNzY0MTg5Ny4xLjEuMTcxNzY0MjA3Mi4wLjAuMTE3NjM5NDIxNw..) Toposware, boosting ZK tech investment to $1B
    
*   StarkWare [expands](https://www.theblock.co/post/298398/starkware-plans-to-bring-zk-scaling-to-bitcoin-alongside-ethereum) to Bitcoin with ZK scaling, launches $1M research fund
    
*   Polyhedra [adopts](https://www.theblock.co/post/297600/polyhedra-opts-for-zkj-ticker-across-exchanges-amid-clash-with-zksync) 'ZKJ' ticker amid clash with zkSync
    
*   Mina's Mainnet upgrade [paves](https://blockworks.co/news/mina-mainnet-upgrade-zk-tech-privacy) the way for privacy applications on ZK rollups
    

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**We dive into the details, so you don’t have to:**

Matter Labs, the developer of the zkSync Era blockchain, faced significant backlash from other Ethereum layer-2 teams, including Polygon and Starkware, after attempting to trademark the term "ZK," which stands for "zero-knowledge" cryptography. This move was criticized as an attempt to claim ownership over a widely-used public good, contrary to the collaborative ethos of the crypto community. Matter Labs initially defended the trademark application as a measure to protect users, but following widespread criticism and accusations of acting against Web3 values, the company withdrew its application.

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Thank you to everyone who reached out following our post, offering ideas, support, and feedback.  
  
As a result of these conversations, we decided to drop all trademark applications for the term “ZK”.  
  
These discussions came down to one important fact: it would be impossible to

 [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 3,232](https://twitter.com/the_matter_labs/status/1797343779189403825)[

2:05 PM • Jun 2, 2024

](https://twitter.com/the_matter_labs/status/1797343779189403825)

Mina, a ZK-focused blockchain, recently upgraded its mainnet with a new programmability layer, unlocking privacy application potentials. Renowned for its compact zk-SNARK proofs, enabling efficient off-chain computation and decentralized proof generation, this Berkeley upgrade emphasizes decentralization and scalability enhancements developed over three years. Mina's distributed computation approach explores Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) and multi-party computation (MPC) alongside ZK technology to bolster privacy and security.

StarkWare, the developer behind Ethereum's Layer 2 Starknet, announced plans to extend its ZK scaling technology to Bitcoin, facilitated by the proposed OP\_CAT upgrade. This initiative aims to scale Bitcoin to thousands of transactions per second without creating a new chain, using the existing Starknet network. StarkWare, valued at $8 billion, is launching a $1 million research fund to support Bitcoin scaling efforts and ensure the safe implementation of OP\_CAT.

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This newsletter is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice or interpreted as investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile assets and you should always do your own research before making any informed decisions when investing or trading.

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*Originally published on [Automata Network](https://paragraph.com/@automata-network/privacy-matters-47)*