Buidling the Future: Projects Leading the Charge in Zero-Knowledge Technology

Gelato Team

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Mar 31, 2023

Scalability is a challenge for Ethereum, leading to the emergence of Layer-2 solutions like ZK rollups. However, ZK rollups didn't support smart contracts until zkEVMs came along. They combine the EVM's functionality with zero-knowledge proofs for scalability. Check out our earlier content on the topic here.

This post highlights several promising zkEVM projects: Polygon's zkEVM, zkSync Era, Scroll, Linea (ConsenSys zkEVM), and Taiko.

If you're new to the concept of zkEVMs or want to refresh your memory, we also have an article that provides an

in-depth explanation of what zkEVMs are and how they work.

Polygon zkEVM

Polygon's zkEVM Beta is a scaling solution equivalent to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It allows developers to build applications using the vast majority of existing smart contracts, tools, and infrastructure they use on Ethereum.

It can process hundreds of transactions in a batch in less than two minutes, and has proof costs for large batches of transactions as low as $0.06.

Polygon zkEVM Features

Batch Aggregation: The Sequencer collects user transactions and groups them in batches, which are then sent to the zkProver for processing. This optimized batch aggregation includes more transactions per batch, enhancing system efficiency.
Recursion: A single validation proof can now be used to verify multiple other proofs, improving scalability.
Multiple provers: Supports parallel processing, preventing bottlenecks and enhancing system performance.
FFLONK protocol: Improves verifier performance without a trusted setup and reduces computational effort.

Development: Polygon zkEVM launched its public testnet in October 2022, followed by a final testnet in December 2022. In March 2023, Polygon zkEVM launched its mainnet beta. During the mainnet beta launch, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin performed the first token transaction on the network.

View Transaction

zkSync

zkSync was created by Matter Labs to address Ethereum's scalability issues using ZK proofs. Their first product, zkSync Lite, was designed for payments but lacked smart contract support. zkSync Era (zkSync 2.0) introduced smart contract functionality, allowing developers to deploy contracts on the Layer 2 network.

zkSync Era Features

LLVM Compiler: Provides compatibility with EVM-based languages by translating high-level code to a zero-knowledge environment.
Native account abstraction: Users can pay fees in any token or transact with zero fees.
Data compression: Shares only state differences, reducing data size for faster updates and easier off-chain integration.
Hyperscalability: Part of zkSync’s roadmap, it aims to build unlimited ZK-based networks on Ethereum.

Scroll

Scroll is a Layer 2 zkEVM-based rollup that launched on the Goerli testnet in February 2023.

Scroll Features

EVM Equivalence: Ensures programs written for Ethereum run without modification.
Decentralization: Aims to decentralize provers, sequencers, and node operators.

Development: Scroll launched its pre-alpha testnet in June 2022 with the Ethereum Foundation’s PSE group. The testnet supports Uniswap forks, NFTs, ERC-20s, and developer tooling for smart contracts.

Linea (ConsenSys zkEVM)

Linea, developed by ConsenSys, is a Layer 2 zkEVM solution enabling scalable and cost-effective dApps.

Linea Features

Innovative prover design: Uses self-recursion techniques to reduce proof sizes, enabling faster transactions and quantum resistance.
EVM Equivalence: Supports existing Ethereum tools and contracts without modification.

Development: Linea launched a private testnet in January 2023, processing 1.5 million transactions in weeks. In March 2023, ConsenSys launched Linea’s public testnet and rebranded it from ConsenSys zkEVM.

Taiko

Taiko is an Ethereum-equivalent ZK rollup using a Type-1 zkEVM architecture, prioritizing exact equivalence over proof generation speed.

Taiko Features

Ethereum Equivalence: Supports all EVM opcodes without altering Ethereum’s core architecture.
Decentralization: Allows multiple parties to act as proposers, provers, and node operators.

Development: Taiko launched Alpha-1 in December 2022, followed by Alpha-2 in March 2023 with permissionless provers and zkEVM circuits.

Polygon zkEVM vs zkSync

About Gelato

Gelato is a Web3 Cloud Platform empowering developers to create automated, gasless, and off-chain-aware Layer 2 chains and smart contracts. Over 400 web3 projects rely on Gelato for years to facilitate millions of transactions in DeFi, NFTs, and gaming.

Gelato RaaS: Deploy your own tailor-made ZK or OP L2 chains in a single click with native Account Abstraction and all Gelato middleware baked in.
Web3 Functions: Connect your smart contracts to off-chain data & computation by running decentralized cloud functions.
Automate: Automate your smart contracts by executing transactions automatically in a reliable, developer-friendly & decentralized manner.
Relay: Give your users access to reliable, robust, and scalable gasless transactions via a simple-to-use API.
Account Abstraction SDK: Gelato has partnered with Safe to build a fully-fledged Account Abstraction SDK, combining Gelato's industry's best gasless transaction capabilities with the industry's most secure smart contract wallet.