币界网报道:Ethereum has introduced a new feature incorporating zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to enhance privacy and scalability on its blockchain. The upgrade, known as "Ethereum Knowledge Proofs," allows users to verify transactions without revealing sensitive data, addressing long-standing concerns about transparency versus confidentiality in decentralized networks. Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum's co-founder, emphasized that this development marks a significant step toward balancing privacy with the network's open nature, enabling use cases like private voting and confidential business contracts. Major DeFi platforms, including Uniswap and Aave, are already exploring integrations to leverage ZKPs for secure, anonymous trading. The Ethereum Foundation plans to roll out the feature in phases, with initial testing on the Ropsten testnet scheduled for Q4 2023. Critics caution that widespread adoption may face regulatory hurdles, particularly in jurisdictions with strict financial transparency laws. Meanwhile, competitors like Zcash and Monero, which specialize in privacy-focused transactions, could see reduced demand as Ethereum expands its capabilities. The update aligns with Ethereum's broader roadmap, which includes transitioning to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and implementing sharding for improved throughput. Analysts predict the enhancement could attract institutional investors seeking compliant privacy solutions, potentially boosting ETH's market value. However, developers note that optimizing ZKP efficiency to reduce gas fees remains a technical challenge. The community has welcomed the move, with over 75% of nodes signaling support in recent governance polls.