What is zkVM? Learn more about zkVM in this article

The release of zkVM solves these problems very well, but what is zkVM? There are still many people who don’t understand. According to the reality of the data, zkVM is a virtual machine that uses zero-knowledge proof to ensure security, verifiability and trustworthiness. Simply put, the user can return to the new state by inputting the old state and program.

What is zkVM?

zkVM is a virtual machine that can ensure the security of trusted features through zero-knowledge proof, that is, inputting the original state and the program will output a new state. zkVM achieves ease of use, versatility, simplicity and recursion. Developers do not need to master zero-knowledge development and can achieve Turing completeness. There is no need to repeatedly generate the circuit of the entire virtual machine. The verification of the virtual machine can be performed through the virtual machine.

zkVM is a general computing platform based on zero-knowledge proof that can perform various computing tasks, including executing smart contracts, data processing, and complex algorithm operations. Its core function is to generate zero-knowledge proofs that verify the correctness of calculations without revealing execution details. Through SNARKs technology, these proofs can be verified off-chain, and the verifier does not need to re-execute the entire calculation process on the blockchain and pay expensive calculation costs.

The design of zkVM is not limited to cryptocurrency transactions. Its versatility allows it to be deployed in a variety of application scenarios, such as medical data processing, supply chain management, secret voting systems, etc. These applications all require While ensuring data security, verify the correctness of the processing logic.

What are the zkVM projects?

The current zkVM projects mainly include Jolt, RISCZero, Succinct, etc. Despite the challenges of zk technology, there are still some projects on the market that have demonstrated technical strength in developing zkVM solutions. In the afternoon, there will be a detailed introduction:

1. Jolt

Jolt is a new type of zkVM. Its main feature is that it runs fast and is easier for developers to expand and conduct code audits.

Unlike other zkVMs based on the STARK framework, Jolt utilizes Lasso lookup parameters and sumcheck-based technology. This innovative approach not only simplifies the implementation of new virtual machine instructions, but also increases the overall speed of the system.

Jolt's design emphasizes ease of use and efficiency. Its code base is very streamlined. Each CPU instruction in Jolt can be implemented with only 50 lines of Rust code. In addition, Jolt's performance is also very good. In preliminary benchmark tests, it can perform zero-knowledge proofs more than 5 times faster than RISC Zero and 2 times faster than SP1.

2. RISC Zero

RISC Zero is a zkVM with a recursive SNARK structure, which is characterized by a recursive method that supports nesting of proofs. In SNARKs technology, recursion can break down complex proofs into smaller, more manageable proofs. These small proofs can be independently verified and eventually combined into a complete large proof, a process that does not affect the validity of the proof. RISCZero is unique in its approach to implementing recursion, seamlessly integrating multiple layers of proofs into a single proof chain, which not only reduces the computational load and the amount of data that needs to be processed, but also maintains the verification process across multiple computational steps. security and integrity.

Another unique feature of RISC Zero is its use of the RISC-V instruction set, an open standard ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) designed for scalability and extensibility. This choice ensures that RISC Zero can take advantage of a broad ecosystem of tools and support, making it easier to access and integrate into existing systems than other zkVMs that may use proprietary or less general-purpose architectures.

3. Succinct

Succinct has developed zkVM SP1. SP1 is customized for executing code written in Rust or any other language that can be compiled by LLVM, with higher flexibility and ease of use. . SP1 supports a modular architecture, allowing developers to customize and extend its functionality through "pre-compilation". Precompilation refers to specific modules that can be added or modified by developers. These modules enhance the functionality of the core virtual machine so that it can handle specific tasks or operations more efficiently.

In addition, SP1 builds a decentralized prover network, simplifying the deployment and execution of proofs, thereby lowering the threshold for using advanced encryption methods. The network provides a streamlined approach by enabling developers to efficiently generate proofs with just one click.

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