What is a ZKSNARKed EVM — a conversation with chatGPT.
DISCLAIMER: chatGPT is trained on models from before 2022, the accuracy of its information is not assured, but maybe it can shed some light regarding this topic.
What does Snarkifying the EVM mean?
“Snarkifying the EVM” refers to the process of integrating ZK-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) into the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This concept aims to enhance the privacy and scalability of the Ethereum blockchain by enabling the execution of private and efficient smart contracts.
By incorporating ZK-SNARK technology into the EVM, developers can create smart contracts that execute computations off-chain while providing succinct proofs of the correctness of those computations. This allows for the verification of the computation’s integrity without revealing the underlying data or steps taken during the computation.
Snarkifying the EVM can bring several benefits to the Ethereum ecosystem. It can significantly enhance privacy by keeping sensitive data confidential while still allowing for verification of the contract’s execution. It also has the potential to improve scalability by moving computationally expensive operations off-chain and reducing the computational burden on the Ethereum network.
Additionally, snarkifying the EVM can enable the execution of complex computations with increased efficiency, as the use of ZK-SNARKs allows for succinct proofs that are much smaller in size compared to the original computation. This can lead to faster transaction processing and reduced costs.
Overall, snarkifying the EVM is an ongoing area of research and development aimed at leveraging the power of ZK-SNARKs to enhance privacy, scalability, and efficiency in the execution of smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.
How do the smart contracts work that execute computations off-chain?
Smart contracts that execute computations off-chain typically follow a process known as “off-chain computation” or “off-chain execution.” Here’s a general overview of how it works:
- Contract Deployment: The smart contract is initially deployed on the blockchain. The contract defines the logic and rules for the computation that will be executed off-chain.
- Off-chain Computation: The actual computation is performed off-chain, typically on a separate server or a network of nodes. This off-chain execution can involve complex computations, data processing, or interactions with external systems.
- Input Parameters: The off-chain computation requires input parameters to process. These parameters can be passed to the off-chain component through various means, such as off-chain messages, oracles, or API calls.
- Computation Execution: The off-chain component executes the computation using the provided input parameters. It performs the necessary calculations, data processing, or interactions with external systems to derive the desired results.
- Generating a Proof: After completing the off-chain computation, a proof is generated. This proof is a cryptographic construct that demonstrates the correctness of the computation without revealing any sensitive information about the inputs or intermediate steps.
- Proof Verification: The generated proof is submitted back to the smart contract on the blockchain. The smart contract acts as the verifier and checks the validity of the proof using the pre-agreed verification mechanism.
- Result Verification and Execution: Once the proof is verified on-chain, the smart contract can trust the off-chain computation and execute the desired actions or store the computed result on the blockchain.
By executing computations off-chain and submitting proofs to the blockchain, smart contracts can benefit from improved scalability, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced privacy. Off-chain execution enables complex and resource-intensive computations to be performed without burdening the blockchain, making it a powerful technique for optimizing smart contract performance.
About the author
Andrew Scott Riley is a research consultant at Cyber Capital. With his computer science background, he analyzes cryptocurrency projects and whitepapers and compiles extensive research reports.
About Cyber Capital
Cyber Capital, Europe’s oldest cryptocurrency investment fund, is a fund manager that specialized in providing exposure to the crypto-asset markets as an alternative asset class. Cyber Capital is fully registered by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets under the AIFMD-light regime and the Dutch Central Bank.
