Zero-Knowledge for Privacy, Succinct for Scalability
Exploring the dual role of zero-knowledge proofs in blockchain: ZK for privacy and succinct proofs for scalability.
Talk given at Privacy Reunion II in Barcelona, April 2024.
Abstract
This talk explores the dual role of zero-knowledge proofs in the blockchain ecosystem. While the term “ZK” is often used loosely, zero-knowledge proofs actually serve two distinct purposes:
- ZK for Privacy — using the zero-knowledge property to keep data confidential, allowing verification without revealing the underlying information.
- Succinct for Scalability — using the succinctness property of proof systems to compress computation, enabling Layer 2 rollups to scale blockchains by submitting compact proofs instead of replaying all transactions on-chain.
The talk clarifies this distinction and discusses how both properties are leveraged in modern blockchain architectures, particularly in ZK rollups.