Optimism Considers Support for Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Over the recent days, two proposals from O(1) Labs and RISC Zero are under consideration to enable effective integration of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (zk-proofs) on chains utilizing the OP Stack.
Optimism Considers Support for Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Optimism (OP), an Optimistic Rollups Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, is currently advancing two proposals aimed at integrating zk-proofs into chains using the OP Stack toolkit.
"We are pleased to share that we will proceed with proposals from O(1) Labs and RISC Zero," stated Bobby Dresser, Managing Director of Optimism Funds, on Optimism's Github on July 20, 2023.
Zk-proofs, or Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), are a method for verifying correctness in information provided by an individual or organization without revealing all the details of that information.
Both O(1) Labs and RISC Zero have proposed substantial changes to Optimism's technology stack to incorporate zk-proofs into the platform.
RISC Zero, an infrastructure and zk-proof tooling company, has proposed upgrading Optimism's current fault-tolerant protocol to utilize Zero Knowledge Proofs to ensure the accuracy of state changes on Optimism, thereby reducing transaction verification time.
Anyone looking to change the final state must provide a Zero Knowledge Proof to demonstrate the validity of the change. Similarly, anyone wishing to indicate an invalid state change must also provide a Zero Knowledge Proof.
Meanwhile, O(1) Labs, known for incubating the Mina Protocol, focuses on Web3 and proposes creating a new fault-tolerant solution using Kimchi—a zk-proof system currently used within the Mina Protocol—to efficiently verify transactions.
These proofs are then used to update the state of the Ethereum network through smart contracts. According to O(1) Labs, Kimchi promises to improve performance, increase security, enhance compatibility with existing systems, and manage complexity while maintaining low latency.
In their initial proposal posted on Optimism's Github in May 2023, the project outlined improvements in cross-chain interaction capabilities and reduced transaction latency through zk-proof integration.
According to Bobby Dresser, the Optimism Foundation is directly engaging with O(1) Labs and RISC Zero to "begin project deployment and further discuss detailed plans for the future."
Optimism Maintains Momentum
Optimism has recently seen "positive" updates. Last month, Optimism rebranded to "OP Mainnet," aligning with its "Superchain" vision.
Moreover, many other blockchain projects continue to prioritize Optimism as their infrastructure platform. Specifically:
Most recently, on July 21, 2023, the eye-scanning crypto project Worldcoin announced the completion of its operational transition to the OP Mainnet layer-2.
BNB Chain, the Binance BNB token-supported blockchain ecosystem, launched a testnet in mid-June for a layer-2 network named opBNB built on the OP Stack platform, expected to achieve 4,000 transactions per second with fees as low as $0.005 USD per transaction.
OP Stack is also the chosen platform for Base Layer-2 of Coinbase and Zora Network of NFT Marketplace Zora. Base itself has expressed intentions to integrate Zero Knowledge Proof technology.
The rationale for these choices is clear as gas fees on Optimism have significantly decreased since the Bedrock upgrade in early June 2023.
