Fabric Cryptography Aims to Revolutionize Digital Privacy with Innovative Chip Technology

Fabric Cryptography, a startup founded by MIT and Stanford dropouts Michael Gao and Tina Ju, is on a mission to make advanced cryptographic techniques more accessible. The couple has developed a custom RISC-V-based chip, termed a “verifiable processing unit” (VPU), designed to efficiently execute algorithms for zero-knowledge proofs and fully homomorphic encryption. These technologies allow users to validate information without revealing the underlying data, a capability that is increasingly vital in today’s digital landscape. The startup has garnered significant financial backing, securing $33 million in a Series A funding round led by Blockchain Capital and 1kx, with participation from Offchain Labs, Polygon, and Matter Labs. Investors are particularly enthusiastic about Fabric's potential to enhance cryptographic operations, with Blockchain Capital's Yuan Han Li expressing excitement about the startup's goal to integrate privacy and verifiability into digital systems. While Fabric targets enterprise applications, the immediate focus is on the blockchain sector, where the demand for zero-knowledge proofs is surging. Gao likens the current momentum in cryptography to the explosive growth of AI in the 2010s, noting that even those unfamiliar with the technology are beginning to recognize its importance. Looking ahead, Fabric Cryptography aims to expand its reach into enterprise data centers and potentially supply hyperscale cloud providers, building on the legacy of previous ventures in which Gao was involved, including a photonic AI startup and a Bitcoin mining chip company.