Polygon Presents Groundbreaking Type 1 Prover, Revolutionizing Ethereum Ecosystem Functionality
Summary:
Ethereum scaling protocol Polygon has launched a ground-breaking type 1 prover, designed to give ecosystem chains like optimistic rollups access to zero-knowledge proof layer-2 functionality. This technology allows any existing chain to be upgraded into a zkEVM L2 for a negligible cost, effectively eliminating the need for users to run a full node. Furthermore, this new prover will also enable optimistic rollups to bypass a customary seven-day fund lockup period, significantly enhancing user experience and reducing costs. This innovative technology, driven by Ethereum's "ethos", will be open-source and freely available on GitHub.
Polygon, the Ethereum scaling protocol, has launched a new model 1 prover, enabling ecosystems like optimistic rollups to activate layer-2 functionality using zero-knowledge proof (ZK-proof). In an exclusive chat with Cointelegraph, Polygon's co-founder, Brendan Farmer, shared insights after the announcement of their revolutionary zkEVM type-1 prover, which will soon be open-source for Ethereum ecosystem enthusiasts. The technology, developed in conjunction with Toposware, took a year to complete and has made it possible to create ZK-proofs for Ethereum's mainnet blocks at a mere cost of $0.002-$0.003 per transaction.
The Type 1 prover, dual licensed under MIT and Apache 2.0, will shortly feature on GitHub. Farmer underlined, "A type 1 prover is the ultimate form of a zkEVM. It allows us to upgrade any existing chain, be it Ethereum layer 1, an optimistic rollup, or an alternative L1, into a zkEVM L2 that can securely connect to Ethereum and Polygon's aggregation layer, integrating seamlessly in the Polygon ecosystem."
Traditionally, many doubted the feasibility and affordability of a layer-1 prover, yet the team disproved these assumptions through their cost-efficient solution, as Farmer emphasized, "Our solution verifies real mainnet Ethereum blocks spending only 2 to 3 tenths of a cent per transaction, drastically lower than what people anticipated."
The innovation stands to benefit the wider Ethereum ecosystem significantly. The prover allows the creation of ZK-proofs for any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chain. Farmer noted that it functions as a public good by negating users and services need to operate a full node. He visualized, "Imagine a reality where we generate proofs for Ethereum L1, allowing you to confirm a zero-knowledge proof on your browser, bypassing the need to operate a full node."
Reflecting Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin's original proposal for zkEVM, Polygon classified these provers from 1 to 4, based on their compatibility with Ethereum and its EVM. A type 1 prover is deemed to have maximum compatibility, permitting the creation of proofs for EVM chains with modifications or migrations while preserving execution logic.
The new technology will empower optimistic rollups, leading Ethereum L2 protocols bundling off-chain transactions and submitting proofs to the mainnet, to reap the benefits of the type 1 prover. Farmer highlighted, "This solution will enable optimistic rollups to bypass the seven-day fund lockup period, significantly enhancing the user experience and reducing costs."
When questioned on Polygon's decision to open-source the technology, Farmer clarified that making the technology accessible to the broader ecosystem adhered to Ethereum's "ethos". He noted, "We firmly believe that actions speak louder than words. As a vast public good, we want this technology to be open-source and accessible to all."
Next, Cointelegraph plans to interview Polygon's co-founder Jordi Baylina in December 2023, delving into the layer-2's objective of consolidating its scaling networks and technology to accomplish its "Polygon 2.0” cross-chain coordination protocol in 2024.
Published At
2/8/2024 9:02:04 PM
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