- Polygon tests the efficiency of its zkEVM on the final testnet in order to prepare for eventual mainnet integration
ZK-Rollups, referred to as zero-knowledge rollups, are a form of scaling solution that permits off-chain processing while upholding on-chain security. To guarantee the integrity of transactions and minimize the amount of data that needs to be saved on the blockchain, they utilize zero-knowledge proofs, a type of cryptography that enables information to be verified without disclosing the underlying data. As a result, transaction throughput can be enhanced and gas costs can be reduced.
Prior to complete integration with the mainnet, the Ethereum layer-2 scaling protocol Polygon is performing performance testing of the zero-knowledge rollup (zk-Rollups) technology.
The Polygon Hermez team has been working on developing the technology, known as Polygon zkEVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine), for more than three years. The team has now produced over 12,000 zk-Proofs in a primary version of the zkEVM testnet, demonstrating that zero-knowledge proofs are feasible on Ethereum.
David Schwartz, the project manager for Polygon zkEVM and PolygonID, explained how the functionality was developed. Layer-2 platforms have developed and improved functionality over time, which has been a major factor in enabling Ethereum’s scalability.
He went on to say that zero-knowledge rollups have accelerated the speed at which layer-2 platforms may reach finality while assuring secure transaction validation. “Finally, we have zkEVMs, such as Polygon zkEVM, that offer all the above in addition to the equivalent of Ethereum Virtual Machine with its advanced methods of zk-STARKs and zk-SNARKs. At this point, a block of transactions is considered to have been permanently and irrevocably added to the blockchain.”
Schwartz claims that Polygon zkEVM contains the first complete source code version of the EVM-equivalent zkProver, which is capable of passing all Ethereum vector tests with a score of above 99%.Since his team started creating its own zkEVM, he called the fulfillment of validity proofs for normal user transactions, the most demanding and satisfying task.
According to prior reports, zk-SNARKS, also known as Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge, improves scalability by batching thousands of transactions into a single proof that verifies their validity on-chain.
According to Schwartz, the primary distinction between the two projects is that zkEVM concentrates on natively scaling the Ethereum ecosystem as opposed to other zk-Rollups that only scale transactions and improve performance in a separate VM format.
A type 2 zkEVM, as outlined by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in August 2022, is supposedly what Polygon’s method is categorized as. Type 2 zkEVMs, according to Buterin’s summary, are designed to be entirely compatible with current applications while making small changes to Ethereum to facilitate development and speed up proof production.
Blockchain data indicates that, as of 2023, the volume of transactions on Arbitrum and Optimism outpaced those on the Ethereum mainnet, indicating that activity on Ethereum layer-2 solutions is still increasing.
Overall, the Polygon platform has advanced significantly with the introduction of zero-knowledge rollups. All things considered, this is a positive step for Polygon and its users, and it will be interesting to see how this technology develops over the next several months and years.