Fabric Cryptography's Ambitious Vision: An AI Chip for Security

Fabric Cryptography, a California-based startup, has set its sights on transforming the cryptography landscape with a groundbreaking AI chip. Co-founder Michael Gao boldly declares, "We're going to do for cryptography what Nvidia has done for artificial intelligence (AI)." This ambitious statement reflects Fabric's belief in the transformative power of its technology.

• Fabric aims to create a specialized hardware solution for cryptography, similar to how Nvidia dominated the AI chip market.
• This vision has attracted significant investor interest, with Fabric securing $33 million in funding.

Fabric's VPU: A Revolution in Cryptography

Fabric's innovation lies in its "verifiable processing unit (VPU)," a chip designed specifically for cryptography. Unlike conventional CPUs or GPUs, which were not optimized for advanced cryptography, the VPU offers tailored performance.

• The VPU employs an instruction set specifically designed for cryptography, enabling efficient execution of complex cryptographic algorithms.
• This architecture allows users to break down cryptographic algorithms into their fundamental mathematical building blocks, which the VPU can then accelerate and support.

Harnessing the Power of Zero-Knowledge Proofs with AI

Fabric recognizes the importance of emerging cryptography techniques like zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in enhancing data privacy and security. ZKPs allow parties to prove the validity of information without revealing the data itself, paving the way for a new era of privacy.

• Fabric emphasizes that ZKPs require specialized hardware to function effectively.
• This technology could revolutionize various fields by fostering trust and enabling secure data sharing.
• One example is generative AI, where ZKPs could verify the unbiased nature of training data without sharing the model or the data itself.

Addressing the Hardware Gap in Cryptography

Fabric highlights a critical gap in the hardware industry—the lack of dedicated support for advanced cryptography. While billions have been invested in AI chip development, cryptography has been relegated to using general-purpose hardware that lacks the necessary optimization.

• Fabric argues that advanced cryptography algorithms have the potential to guarantee trust beyond data protection.
• The company's VPU aims to bridge this gap by providing specialized hardware for efficient cryptographic operations.

Mass Production and Industry Support for Fabric's AI Chip

Fabric's VPU is poised for mass production early next year, backed by significant pre-orders. The recent $33 million Series A funding will fuel the company's expansion, including research and development.

• The funding round was led by Blockchain Capital and 1kx, with participation from prominent players in the blockchain and cryptography sectors, such as Offchain Labs, Polygon, and Matter Labs.
• This investment underscores the industry's confidence in Fabric's technology and its potential to transform data security.

Fabric's VPU: A Game-Changer for Data Privacy and Security

Fabric's VPU has garnered praise from leading figures in the cryptography and blockchain communities. Dr. Wei Dai, a renowned cryptographer, highlights the VPU's unique combination of programmability, flexibility, and performance.

• The VPU's ability to run virtually any cryptographic workload efficiently through its innovative instruction set sets it apart from fixed-function chips commonly used in cryptography.
• Its future-proofing capabilities enable adaptation to new cryptography algorithms as they emerge.

The Future of Data Security: AI-Powered Privacy

Yuan Han Li, an investor at Blockchain Capital, underscores the transformative potential of Fabric's technology. He envisions a future where privacy and verifiability become fundamental aspects of all digital systems.

• Fabric's VPU, by enabling efficient and secure cryptographic operations, has the potential to reshape how we protect sensitive data in a world increasingly reliant on digital technologies.
• The company's focus on AI-powered cryptography promises to address the evolving challenges of data privacy and security in the digital age.