Researchers from ByteDance and the Technical University Munich have developed a groundbreaking image compression technique known as TiTok. This method has received praise from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin for its potential applications in blockchain technology. TiTok significantly reduces the size of images, making it more practical to store them on the blockchain. It is important to note that TiTok is not to be confused with the popular social networking app TikTok.
Buterin highlighted TiTok’s potential on the decentralized social media platform Farcaster, stating that a 320-bit image is small enough to be included on the blockchain for every user. This breakthrough could have significant implications for NFTs and the storage of profile pictures (PFPs) in digital form.
TiTok utilizes machine learning and advanced artificial intelligence to compress high-quality images into just 32 bits. By converting a 256×256 pixel image into “32 discrete tokens,” TiTok breaks away from the traditional 2D tokenization methods, allowing for more flexible and compact images in one dimension. The framework also identifies and eliminates redundant information within the image, reducing the overall data size through area redundancy.
The research report on TiTok highlights its ability to outperform conventional techniques in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Buterin’s endorsement of TiTok further underscores its potential in the blockchain space. Additionally, Ripple has announced significant collaborations with 10 nations for the development of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). This latest news reflects the ongoing advancements in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.