ZK for Everyone: Teemu Paivinen on Decentralizing Proofs with ZK Cloud

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Summary
In this episode, Teemu Paivinen—co-founder of ZK Cloud—walks through his long-standing journey in crypto, starting from Bitcoin in 2011 to building one of Europe’s first Bitcoin exchanges. He shares key lessons from his time at OpenZeppelin, where he helped shape the gold standard for smart contract security, and introduces the vision for ZK Cloud: a decentralized middleware layer focused on reducing the cost and friction of zero-knowledge proofs. Teemu dives into the current state of ZK proving networks, outlines why decentralization is non-negotiable for blockchain infrastructure, and lays out ZK Cloud’s roadmap to mainnet. Rather than competing, ZK Cloud is designed to collaborate across the stack, serving builders who need affordable, reliable ZK proving as a service.
Takeaways
— Teemu entered crypto in 2011, eventually founding an early Bitcoin exchange in Europe
— OpenZeppelin shaped his views on trust and secure infrastructure
— ZK Cloud aims to lower the cost of zero-knowledge proofs via decentralized systems
— The project serves as middleware for other blockchain applications needing ZK proving
— Teemu sees decentralization as essential for long-term viability in crypto
— Rather than focusing on competitors, ZK Cloud seeks to collaborate across ecosystems
— The ultimate vision: all ZK proofs being generated via ZK Cloud
— Mainnet is targeted for the first half of the year
Timeline
(00:00) Teemu Paivinen’s Journey into Crypto
(06:40) Lessons from OpenZeppelin and Building Equilibrium
(14:15) ZK Cloud: Addressing Cost and Decentralization
(22:10) The Market Dynamics of ZK Cloud
(27:55) The Evolution of ZK Proving Networks
(31:29) ZK Cloud: The Future of Middleware
(32:21) The Shift from Optimistic to ZK Rollups
(36:12) Targeting Adoption: Strategies for ZK Cloud
(40:58) Growth Dynamics in the ZK Ecosystem
(46:12) Towards Mainnet: The Road Ahead for ZK Cloud

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Chapters

1. Teemu Paivinen’s Journey into Crypto (00:00:00)

2. Lessons from OpenZeppelin and Building Equilibrium (00:06:40)

3. ZK Cloud: Addressing Cost and Decentralization (00:14:15)

4. The Market Dynamics of ZK Cloud (00:22:10)

5. The Evolution of ZK Proving Networks (00:27:55)

6. ZK Cloud: The Future of Middleware (00:31:29)

7. The Shift from Optimistic to ZK Rollups (00:32:21)

8. Targeting Adoption: Strategies for ZK Cloud (00:36:12)

9. Growth Dynamics in the ZK Ecosystem (00:40:58)

10. Towards Mainnet: The Road Ahead for ZK Cloud (00:46:12)