BlockBeats News, May 11th, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published a research article, clearly stating that Zero-Knowledge (ZK) payments should be the next necessary standard for widespread adoption of encrypted payments. He pointed out that encrypted payments must transition from "pseudonymity" to "default privacy," especially in the upcoming "Age of Smart Matter."

Vitalik believes that the "glass house" nature of blockchain is the primary psychological and operational barrier for encrypted payments to replace traditional fiat payment applications. Therefore, standard transfers should be replaced by ZK-proof-based transactions, allowing users to prove payment validity without disclosing their full balance or transaction history. Addressing the privacy paradox of autonomous AI smart matter needing to pay service fees (such as large model API points) without leaving traceable marks, through "recursive SNARKs" and "ZK API usage points," Ethereum's Layer 2 solution can process privacy payments at the same speed and cost as transparent transactions. Additionally, the new standard will include "selective disclosure" and "proofs of non-culpability" mechanisms, allowing users to provide specific "compliance proofs" to authorized entities or tax authorities without revealing data to the public, thus striking a balance between privacy tech and global anti-money laundering regulations.

The default privacy standard is expected to attract enterprises and institutional users who have previously avoided blockchain due to privacy concerns. Instant settlement, low fees, and bank-like confidentiality will make Ethereum a strong competitor to the existing financial system. Furthermore, after ZK payment integration into mobile wallets and e-commerce platforms, ordinary consumers will benefit from blockchain technology without needing to understand the underlying cryptography.

Vitalik's initiative indicates that Ethereum is committed to becoming a truly private, secure, and globally accessible financial layer, protecting individual users' financial sovereignty. As Ethereum's major Layer 2 networks set such privacy standards as default configurations, users will transition from managing public addresses to participating in a secure, confidential digital economy.