“ZK Creed” from Matter Labs, a New Vision for Zero-Knowledge Proofs

ZK Credo

Matter Labs, which develops zkSync, a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum (ETH), has released the first version of its new vision called “ZK Credo” on the 23rd.

We showed how zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology will facilitate decentralization, privacy, and security in the next phase of the Internet: Web3.

“ZK” here indicates zero-knowledge proof, which is one of cryptographic techniques. The ZK Credo will be summarized as a set of thoughts and beliefs through ZK Revolution (a revolutionary worldview with zero-knowledge proofs) and ZK Principles (basic principles for applying zero-knowledge proofs).

“ZK Revolution” refers to the evolution of zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) and its impact, and details it from three aspects: “Integrity”, “Privacy” and “Magic”. This “ZK Revolution” is supposed to further promote personal freedom through blockchain technology and Web3.

Specifically, “Integrity” reflects the basic spirit of mathematics, open source, and blockchain, “Don’t believe, verify”, and by using recursive ZK proofs (proof aggregation technology) , ensuring computational completeness at any scale.

Next, “Privacy” is a basic human right in the digital society, and is positioned as an issue that ZK technology should address. Finally, “Magic” represents ZK’s ability to transform complex operations into simple clicks, enabling integrated systems.

connection:Ethereum L2 “zkSync”, zkEVM mainnet alpha version now available to all users

ZK Principles

On the other hand, the “ZK Principles” specify eight basic principles that decentralized networks should adhere to. They are: trustlessness, security, certainty, censorship resistance, privacy, hyperscalability, accessibility, and sovereignty.

– No need for trust: can independently verify transaction and network state integrity without relying on others
– Security: Attacking individual users is as difficult and costly as attacking the entire network
– Reliability: the network will work consistently and accurately
– Censorship resistance: Ability for anyone to transact on the network without requiring permission
– Privacy: the ability to protect user identities and transaction details
– Accessibility: dApps should be affordable, easy to use, and secure
– Super scalability: Ability to grow without limits while retaining all other important properties
– Sovereignty: the right to divide (fork) the network

All these principles aim to create an environment in which individual users are free to hold and control their digital assets and data. However, Matter Labs stresses that adhering to these principles requires more than technology alone, and requires a deep understanding and acceptance of the philosophy of decentralization across the community.

Furthermore, Matter Labs points out that while Ethereum is the closest platform to achieving these principles, it still falls short in terms of privacy, scalability and accessibility. On top of that, it suggests that using ZK technology can make up for these shortfalls.

Matter Labs claims that the “ZK Credo” will guide not only zkSync, but the broader Web3 (decentralized web) ecosystem as a whole. The first version of this new vision is now live on GitHub, soliciting discussion and feedback from the general community.

connection:Ethereum Foundation to hold online information session for “Zero-Knowledge Proof” Summer Program on June 26