Space and Time: Building Trust in Web3 Data with Proof of SQL

For better or worse, data drives the modern world. It influences everything from business decisions to algorithmic curation of our online experiences. Yet as data grows more centralized and complex, questions of trust and transparency inevitably arise. What if we could analyze data at scale while cryptographically proving its integrity? This is the vision behind Space and Time and their groundbreaking Proof of SQL technology.

As with any technology, Space and Time naturally has its tradeoffs. Here’s a brief summary:

On the whole, the benefits of verifiability and cross-chain integrity may outweigh these downsides for many Web3 and regulated enterprises requiring transparency in how data shapes decisions and experiences.

What is Space and Time?

Founded in 2021, Space and Time aims to become the decentralized data warehouse for Web3. Their mission is to empower smart contract developers and enterprises with verifiable access to both on-chain and off-chain data. At its core, Space and Time has built a massively parallel HTAP database capable of powering analytics, machine learning models, APIs, and more using a single data store.

But Space and Time’s true innovation lies in Proof of SQL- a novel use of zero-knowledge proofs that allow users to cryptographically prove SQL queries were executed accurately and data remains untampered. In an era of deep fakes and misinformation, this brings much-needed transparency to how data is analyzed and used. As the co-founder of Space and Time noted, “Proof of SQL enables you to run trustless queries against both on-chain and off-chain data.”

How does Proof of SQL work?

Under the hood, Proof of SQL combines advanced cryptographic techniques with traditional database processing. Here’s a brief summary of how it works:

1. A user writes an SQL query against data stored in the Space and Time database. This can include on-chain as well as off-chain datasets.
2. The Space and Time database executes the query and transforms it into an algebraic intermediate representation.
3. A zero-knowledge circuit is generated from this representation and executed using a SNARK (zero-knowledge proof protocol) to produce a cryptographic proof of correct query execution.
4. This proof is sent to the user, who can then verify it to ensure results were generated from untampered data according to the specified query.

In this way, Proof of SQL brings the power of verifiable computation to SQL – arguably the most ubiquitous language for interrogating structured data. This breakthrough has profound implications for not just Web3 but any domain requiring trusted analytics over private or sensitive datasets.

Key applications

By enabling trustless querying of distributed ledgers and centralized stores, Proof of SQL unlocks exciting new use cases that traditionally required high levels of trust:

Decentralized Finance: Verifiable trading platforms, lending protocols, and interest calculations can now interface freely with off-chain order books and credit records.

Gaming & NFTs: In-game rewards, tournaments, and analytics can reference player profiles, rankings, and past performances while cryptographically ensuring fairness.

Supply Chain: Complex multiparty workflows spanning procurement, manufacturing, and distribution gain transparency through auditable reporting of activities, inventories, and shipments.

Healthcare: Private genomic and medical records can power predictive models and research without compromising patient privacy. Consent and usage are cryptographically verifiable.

The net result is smarter contracts, more data-driven organization and an Internet where what you see truly reflects objective reality – not just what a particular party wants you to believe. Space and Time promises to be the catalyst for such a future.

Space and Time Beyond Proof of SQL

While Proof of SQL stands as its crowning achievement thus far, Space and Time offers a full-stack platform to support complex, blockchain-integrated applications. This includes:

AI SQL: An OpenAI-powered interface that automates data pipelines, visualizations, and natural language querying with little to no code.

Real-time blockchain indexing: Space and Time can ingest and query live transaction data from networks like , , and at query time.

Studio GUI: A low-code platform to visually build and share dashboards connecting to both on-chain and off-chain data sources.

SDKs: Pre-built connectors let developers easily access Space and Time from Node.js, Go, Python, or JDBC-compatible tools and databases.

Integrations: Out-of-the-box links to services like BigQuery, Kafka, Chainlink and more broaden its ecosystem fit.

The full-featured platform aims to consolidate traditionally separate components into a unified environment for building truly next-gen Web3 applications.

Funding and adoption

Space and Time’s vision has clearly resonated within the industry. In September 2022, they announced a $20 million Series A funding round led by Vulcan Capital (the investment arm of Microsoft founder Paul Allen) at a $300 million valuation. Other backers include Multicoin Capital, Y Combinator, and Zachary Williams.

In terms of adoption, Space and Time formed a key partnership with Sui to provide verifiable off-chain computing for their blockchain gaming ecosystem. They’ve also onboarded data from networks like Polygon to power decentralized applications. Enterprises trialing Proof of SQL span industries from fintech to supply chain.

With prominent investors and growing real-world use, Space and Time seems well-positioned to emerge as the leading platform for trustworthy data analytics in the coming Web3 era. Their innovative approach exemplifies how cryptocurrency can strengthen integrity and transparency- core values many believe blockchains were invented to uphold.

The verdict

As data and computation become ever more distributed and blurred lines emerge between on-chain and off-chain workflows, ensuring integrity and provenance will grow critical. Space and Time’s Proof of SQL provides a foundational way to cryptographically verify results stem from untampered inputs via approved processes. For analysts, contractors, and citizens alike, such transparency fosters understanding, accountability, and cooperation grounded in objective reality rather than propaganda or selective narratives. In an age where “fake news” can undermine democracy itself, technologies like Proof of SQL may ultimately help redeem data’s promise to enlighten rather than mislead.