# BLAKE3

> cryptographic hash function

**Wikidata**: [Q81575705](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q81575705)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLAKE3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blake3

## Summary
BLAKE3 is a high-performance cryptographic hash function that serves as the direct successor to the BLAKE2 algorithm. It is based on the BLAKE2 hashing framework and is designed to provide the essential security properties required for modern cryptographic applications.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cryptographic hash function.
- **Predecessor:** BLAKE2 (introduced December 21, 2012).
- **Inventors:** Jack O'Connor, Samuel Neves, Jean-Philippe Aumasson, and Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn.
- **Aliases:** BLAKE3-256, Blake3 (256).
- **Technical Basis:** Built upon the BLAKE2 cryptographic hash function framework.
- **Object Identifier (OID):** 1.3.6.1.4.1.1722.12.2.3.8.
- **Documentation:** Described by the "BLAKE3 Hashing Framework" IETF draft.
- **Global Availability:** Documented in Wikipedia across multiple languages including English, German, Japanese, and Chinese.

## FAQs
### Q: Who are the primary creators of BLAKE3?
A: BLAKE3 was developed by a team of researchers and engineers including Jack O'Connor, Samuel Neves, Jean-Philippe Aumasson, and Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn.

### Q: How does BLAKE3 relate to previous hashing standards?
A: BLAKE3 is the successor to BLAKE2 and is explicitly based on the BLAKE2 hashing framework. It follows the lineage of BLAKE2, which was first released in late 2012.

### Q: What is the official technical designation for BLAKE3?
A: In addition to its common name, it is known by the aliases BLAKE3-256 and Blake3 (256), and it is assigned the ITU/ISO/IEC object identifier 1.3.6.1.4.1.1722.12.2.3.8.

## Why It Matters
BLAKE3 is a significant advancement in the field of cryptography, serving as the direct successor to the BLAKE2 hash function. Its importance is rooted in its lineage, as it builds upon the BLAKE2 framework that has been a staple in the industry since its inception in December 2012. By evolving this established technology, BLAKE3 provides a modern solution for secure data processing. 

The development of BLAKE3 is notable due to the collaboration of high-profile experts, including Jean-Philippe Aumasson, a prominent French cryptologist, and Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn, a well-known American engineer and cypherpunk. This combination of academic and practical expertise ensures the function meets rigorous standards. Furthermore, its formal recognition in the "BLAKE3 Hashing Framework" IETF draft and its assignment of a unique ITU/ISO/IEC object identifier (1.3.6.1.4.1.1722.12.2.3.8) demonstrate its role as a standardized tool for global digital infrastructure. As a cryptographic hash function, it fulfills the essential need for data integrity and security across various computing platforms, supported by documentation in multiple languages including English, German, Japanese, and Chinese.

## Notable For
- **Direct Successor to BLAKE2:** It is the official follow-up to the BLAKE2 cryptographic hash function.
- **Expert Authorship:** Created by a team including Jean-Philippe Aumasson (cryptologist) and Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn (cypherpunk and engineer).
- **Standardization:** Described in formal IETF draft documentation as the BLAKE3 Hashing Framework.
- **Unique Identification:** Assigned a specific ITU/ISO/IEC object identifier (1.3.6.1.4.1.1722.12.2.3.8) for technical implementation.

## Body
### Classification and Purpose
BLAKE3 is categorized as a cryptographic hash function, which is a special class of hash function possessing specific properties that make it suitable for use in cryptography. It is defined as both an instance and a subclass of this category.

### Development and Lineage
The function was developed as a successor to BLAKE2. BLAKE2 itself was introduced on December 21, 2012. BLAKE3 is technically based on the BLAKE2 framework, maintaining continuity with its predecessor's design principles while introducing new advancements.

### Authorship and Contributions
The invention of BLAKE3 is attributed to a collaborative effort by:
*   **Jack O'Connor**
*   **Samuel Neves**
*   **Jean-Philippe Aumasson**: A French researcher, cryptologist, and computer scientist.
*   **Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn**: An American engineer and computer scientist born in 1974, known for his work as a cypherpunk.

### Technical Specifications
*   **Aliases:** The function is also identified as BLAKE3-256 or Blake3 (256).
*   **Object ID:** It is registered under the ITU/ISO/IEC object identifier 1.3.6.1.4.1.1722.12.2.3.8.
*   **Documentation:** The primary technical reference is the "BLAKE3 Hashing Framework," which exists as an IETF draft. The project is also maintained via a public GitHub repository.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "BLAKE3",
  "description": "A cryptographic hash function that is the successor to BLAKE2 and based on the BLAKE2 framework.",
  "sameAs": ["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLAKE3"],
  "additionalType": "cryptographic hash function"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/BLAKE3-team/BLAKE3)