In short: zkSync, a blockchain network aiming to make digital self-ownership accessible to all, has announced a major cryptographic upgrade to its proof system. The upgrade involves transitioning to a new STARK-based proof system called Boojum, which offers improved proving performance and reduces hardware requirements for decentralization. The move represents a significant performance improvement and will enhance low latency and support for increased activity. This will enable more people to participate in the network and contribute to its decentralization. The migration to the new proof system will occur after audits and security reviews are completed.
Our quick analysis:
In an exciting development for the blockchain world, zkSync has unveiled a game-changing upgrade to its proof system. The transition to a brand-new STARK-based proof system known as Boojum aims to revolutionize digital self-ownership, promising exceptional performance and reduced hardware requirements for decentralization.
Boojum, a Rust-based arithmetization and constraint library, has proudly implemented the upgraded version of ZK circuits for zkSync Era and the ZK Stack. What makes Boojum truly captivating is its PLONK-style arithmetization, leveraging Permutation-based Linear-based SNARKs for transparent, universal, and upgradable proofs.
Compared to previous proof systems such as Sonic and Halo, PLONK empowers zkSync with unmatched transparency, universality, and upgradability. These qualities make it a perfect fit for zkSync's ambitions to bolster the upgraded proof system.
The migration to a STARK-based proof system brings a remarkable improvement in performance. zkSync Era will experience low latency for finality and seamlessly support elevated levels of activity. But the best part? The GPU provers required for Boojum operate effectively with a mere 16 GB (GygaByte) of RAM, a significant departure from the hefty RAM requirements of other prevalent proof systems.
By significantly slashing the RAM needed to run GPU provers, zkSync will be able to embrace cost-effective machines, enhancing horizontal scalability. This cost reduction will pave the way for more people to participate in the network, contributing to its decentralization and fortifying its foundation.
To ensure a smooth transition, zkSync is currently conducting a testing phase called mainnet shadow mode. The network is generating and validating "shadow proofs" for Mainnet blocks, working with real production data from zkSync Era's user activity. This off-chain testing allows the team to identify edge cases, uncover bugs, and scrutinize implementation details.
Moreover, zkSync is generously open-sourcing the Boojum codebase, empowering anyone to utilize the new proofs and verify them through a straightforward command-line interface (CLI) tool. This step reinforces zkSync's commitment to innovation and its user-centric design, driving towards a more secure, scalable, and efficient zkEVM.
Although the migration to the new proof system awaits further audits and security reviews, the prospects are undeniably exciting. Boojum heralds a future where users hold the reins of decentralized proof generation. By bolstering performance and reducing hardware requirements, zkSync and other ZK Stack-based systems can forge ahead, achieving greater scalability and bringing digital self-ownership within everyone's reach.
As we witness this monumental leap towards decentralized self-ownership, it's clear that zkSync Era and its acceptance of Boojum mark a new era for blockchain innovation. Our aspirations for a network that is secure, scalable, and accessible are finally soaring to new heights.
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Disclaimer: Our articles are NOT financial advice, and we are not financial advisors. Your investments are your own responsibility. Please do your own research and seek advice from a licensed financial advisor beforehand if needed.
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