On the morning of February 20, Goldshell held an AMA with Howard Wu, the core founder of Aleo and CEO of Provable. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the future of mining, hardware acceleration, and the development of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from the session.
Play Recording: https://x.com/i/spaces/1eaKbWEydzYGX/peek
Howard Wu’s experiences of AE BOX PRO
Wu expresses his initial impressions of the device, highlighting its fast setup, impressive proof/sec capabilities, and strong optimization for zero-knowledge proofs (ZK). Wu also invites other developers and enthusiasts involved in Aleo ASIC mining to connect with him, offering a chance to explore more ZK hardware opportunities. This marks a significant milestone for Aleo as it advances in hardware space, pushing the boundaries of decentralized, privacy-focused mining
1. Aleo’s Roadmap and Upcoming Changes:
ARC-0043 Proposal:
Howard Wu discussed the upcoming technical upgrades of Aleo, focusing on the ARC-0043 proposal. This upgrade will introduce a new puzzle algorithm, enhancing complexity and security. One of the key changes involves increasing the number of instructions, which will allow for more specialized hardware applications and improve network performance with ZK-SNARK verification. More information on the ARC-0043 discussion will be available with updates over the next 6 months.
- Impact: The upgrade will reduce block verification time, incentivize hardware development, and increase the overall mining security of Aleo.
- Implementation Timeline: Wu emphasized that the process is still in its early stages and will take approximately 6 months for full implementation, including testing on the testnet and mainnet.
2. Mining with Aleo:
The profitability of Aleo mining has been a hot topic, and Wu shared his insights on the sustainability of Aleo mining. With the upcoming hardware upgrades, including ASIC miners, the profitability for miners is expected to improve significantly.
- Transition from GPU to ASIC: While older GPUs (such as 20 and 30 series) may struggle to maintain profitability due to the current market conditions, newer hardware such as the 4070S and 4080 can still break even.
- The Future of ASIC Mining: Wu also mentioned that with the implementation of ASICs, Aleo will continue to support mining hardware, which he believes is essential for zk-SNARK technology acceleration. ASIC miners will bring more efficiency and security to the network.
3. Aleo Ecosystem Development:
Expanding the Ecosystem: Aleo’s ecosystem is growing rapidly, with upcoming partnerships, decentralized applications (dApps), and new integration points for privacy-focused blockchain technology.
- User Contribution: Howard invited the community to contribute to Aleo’s growth by participating in upcoming initiatives, including the Denver workshop on writing Leo programs and providing feedback on the Aleo network.
4. Aleo and Exchange Listings:
While many rumors suggested that Aleo would be listed on major exchanges such as Binance in the first quarter of 2025, Howard Wu clarified that there have been no discussions about listing Aleo with major exchanges yet. Instead, the project is focused on solidifying its technology and ecosystem.
5. Privacy and Future Payments:
Aleo’s focus on privacy was emphasized, and Howard discussed the importance of private payments and stablecoins within the Aleo ecosystem. Aleo’s unique ability to support privacy-based smart contracts through ZKPs sets it apart from other Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains.
- Aleo’s Privacy Vision: Howard highlighted that Aleo’s privacy features are crucial for enabling secure transactions and privacy-centric financial systems, which could become increasingly important as virtual currencies become more integrated into real-world applications.
6. KYC and Token Distribution:
The KYC process for token distribution is expected to begin soon, with Aleo foundation working on a new system to streamline the process. This includes a new tool for handling identity verification, as previous KYC submissions will no longer be valid.
Key Takeaways:
- Aleo’s Technological Advancements: ARC-0043 will enhance the security and efficiency of Aleo’s mining and overall network operations.
- Mining Opportunities: ASIC miners will make Aleo mining more profitable and secure. However, miners may need to upgrade their hardware to keep up with new developments.
- Aleo Ecosystem Growth: With growing partnerships and community involvement, Aleo is expanding into dApps and privacy-focused applications.
- Exchange Listings: While Aleo is not yet discussing exchange listings, the project is focusing on building a robust technological foundation for long-term success.
- Privacy and Payments: Aleo is positioning itself as a leader in privacy technology, especially for private payments and stablecoin systems.
Final Thoughts from Goldshell: Goldshell is excited to contribute to the Aleo ecosystem by providing mining hardware that complements Aleo’s vision. We are committed to supporting Aleo’s growth and will continue to work closely with the community to ensure a balanced and sustainable network.
Stay Updated:
For more information about Aleo, visit their official website and join their community on Discord and Twitter.
