zkSync Era Innovates with New Proof System
Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution, zkSync Era, has unveiled a new Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (STARK)-based proof system named Boojum. This innovative system is set to operate on consumer-grade general processing units (GPUs), marking a major advancement in the realm of blockchain technology.
Elevating Blockchain Performance with zkSync’s Boojum
zkSync Era stands among a select few Ethereum scaling protocols utilizing zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups) to boost capacity and speed while minimizing costs. These rollups primarily employ two renowned proof systems: zk-STARKs and Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARKs).
Boojum, the newly introduced proof system, incorporates a Rust-based cryptographic library from zkSync. It employs an enhanced version of arithmetic circuits for zkSync Era and its ZK developer stack. Importantly, Boojum provers are designed to operate on everyday personal computers instead of demanding powerful hardware and servers.
Accessible Technology for Mass Usability
The upgraded system functions on computers with a mere 16 gigabytes (GB) of GPU random-access memory (RAM), allowing regular users to engage in network activities. Compared to the previous setup where zkSync operated on a cluster of 100 GPUs, each having 80 GB of RAM, the technological leap is significant.
Prior to the advent of Boojum, zkSync primarily relied on zk-SNARKs, which, while effective, were relatively less transparent than zk-STARK-based systems. The previous system processed approximately 100 transactions per second, whereas Boojum is set to offer superior processing power.
Boojum: A Cost-effective Solution
In the ultimate stage of implementation, the novel proof will encapsulate the STARK proofs with a non-transparent pairing-based SNARK. This configuration essentially represents a slightly advanced version of the existing SNARK-based proof system. Boojum requires less storage and is less costly to verify. These features contribute to reducing the proof system’s overall cost and, consequently, the cost of transactions themselves.
Testing and Implementation
Boojum is currently operational on the zkSync Era mainnet for testing, generating, and verifying “shadow proofs.” Developers are presently testing shadow proofs with real production data, ahead of a complete migration and wider application. Notably, the system upgrade will occur without any regenesis, paving the way for a seamless transition.
