Cardano has long stood out for its research-first approach and its robust Extended UTXO (eUTXO) model. However, integrating advanced cryptographic technologies like zero-knowledge proofs has posed a challenge—until now. Starstream, a groundbreaking virtual machine, is set to define what’s possible on Cardano by enabling scalable, private, and verifiable smart contract execution.

One of the limitations of traditional UTXO models is difficulty with maintaining stateful smart contracts. Cardano’s eUTXO model, while more flexible, still struggles to implement privacy-preserving proofs efficiently. Starstream solves this by introducing a WASM-based virtual machine capable of generating zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for each contract interaction. This makes it possible to validate computations without revealing any private data—ideal for secure, decentralized applications.

Key Features of Starstream

• Proof Folding: A unique feature that composes individual proofs into a single, verifiable chain, increasing efficiency and reducing blockchain bloat.
• Coroutines: By enabling contracts to pause and resume operations, Starstream supports more complex workflows in decentralized apps (dApps).
• Auditability: Every action in a contract can be independently verified through zero-knowledge proofs, bringing unmatched transparency and trust

With Starstream, Cardano developers can now build more advanced dApps that require privacy and high computational assurance. Decentralized finance (DeFi), identity verification, or supply chain tracking have the ability to use zero-knowledge proofs securely within the eUTXO model. Additionally, this opens new frontiers. Developers no longer have to compromise between scalability, security, and privacy