Multi-prover zero-knowledge proofs (zkEVM) have recently gained attention in the world of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts, and for good reason. These cryptographic protocols allow for the creation of zero-knowledge proofs of the execution of smart contracts on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling the use of smart contracts without revealing the underlying contract code or data to the general public.
A zero-knowledge proof is a method by which one party (the prover) can prove to another party (the verifier) that a certain statement is true, without revealing any information about the statement itself. For example, a prover could prove to a verifier that they know the solution to a certain math problem, without revealing the actual solution.
As pointed out in a recent tweet by Declan Fox; Product Lead for @ConsenSys Rollups, he says "zkEVM allows for the creation of private smart contracts, enabling the use of dApps without the need for trust in a central authority. This has huge potential for the creation of truly decentralized systems." Indeed, the ability to create private smart contracts is a game-changing development in the world of decentralized systems, as it allows for the creation of dApps that can handle sensitive data, such as financial transactions or personal identity information, without exposing this data to the general public.
Multi-prover zkEVM systems take this concept a step further by using multiple provers, each of which is responsible for proving the execution of a specific part of the smart contract. This approach allows for greater scalability and efficiency, as multiple provers can work concurrently to prove the execution of a contract, rather than relying on a single prover to handle the entire process.
One of the main benefits of using multi-prover zkEVM systems is their ability to enable privacy-preserving smart contracts. In traditional smart contract systems, the contract code and data are visible to the general public, which can lead to the exposure of sensitive information. With multi-prover zkEVM systems, the contract code and data are kept private, as the provers only reveal the proof of execution, rather than the underlying code and data.
This makes multi-prover zkEVM systems particularly useful for dApps that handle sensitive data, such as financial transactions or personal identity information. With these systems, dApp users can trust that their data is kept private and secure, while still being able to take advantage of the benefits of smart contracts.
In addition to privacy benefits, one of the key features of multi-prover zkEVM systems is their use of multiple provers, each of which is responsible for proving the execution of a specific part of the smart contract. As mentioned earlier, the use of multiple provers allows for concurrent processing of proof generation, which can greatly reduce the time and resources required to create a proof.
This approach allows for greater scalability and efficiency, as multiple provers can work concurrently to prove the execution of a contract, rather than relying on a single prover to handle the entire process. It can be especially important for dApps that handle large volumes of transactions, as it enables them to process more transactions in less time.
To illustrate the benefits of this feature, let's consider a simple example of a dApp that allows users to make peer-to-peer payments. In a traditional smart contract system, the contract code and data (e.g., the amount being transferred, and the identities of the sender and recipient) would be visible to the general public. This could potentially expose sensitive financial information and leave users vulnerable to fraud or identity theft.
With a multi-prover zkEVM system, however, the contract code and data would be kept private. The provers would only reveal the proof of execution (e.g., that the payment was successfully transferred from one user to another), without revealing any details about the transaction itself. This would enable users to make payments through the dApp with confidence, knowing that their financial information is kept private and secure.
To further illustrate the scalability and efficiency benefits of multi-prover zkEVM systems, let's consider a more complex example of a dApp that facilitates the buying and selling of real estate. In a traditional smart contract system, a single prover would be responsible for proving the execution of the entire contract. Specifically, it includes the logic, properties, and data in a single package, essentially collapsing the business and data logic layers into a single layer, which is then written to the blockchain. Of course, this could be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process.
With a multi-prover zkEVM system, however, the contract could be divided into multiple parts, each of which could be proved by a separate prover. This would enable the process of proof generation to be completed much more quickly and efficiently, as multiple provers could work concurrently to prove the execution of the contract. This could be especially useful for dApps that handle large volumes of transactions, as it would enable them to process more transactions in less time.
Conclusion
As the use of decentralized systems continues to grow, it is likely that we will see an increased adoption of multi-prover zkEVM systems. In a recent blog post by the Vitalik Buterin, he pointed out that "multi-prover zkEVM systems represent a significant advancement in the field of smart contracts and decentralized applications."
By enabling privacy-preserving smart contracts, these systems have the potential to greatly improve the privacy, scalability, and efficiency of dApps, and could play a major role in the development of truly decentralized systems that do not rely on trust in a central authority.