Zero-knowledge proof

Simplified explanation on zkSync case example for the CTO discussion

Author

Daniel Yavorovych
September 12, 2023

Hey, Daniel’s here!

I hope this email finds you well. Imagine this scenario: We have a blockchain network where users want to verify their identity without exposing sensitive personal information, such as a government ID or Social Security number.

Zero-knowledge proofs enable users to prove they possess the required data without revealing the information itself.

This has numerous benefits in blockchain applications, such as enhancing privacy, improving security, and reducing the amount of sensitive data exposed on the network. For instance, it can be used for confidential transactions, where the amounts involved are hidden, or for verifying the authenticity of data without revealing the actual data.

Building infrastructure for zkSync: Our look from the inside

Back in 2020, zkSync came to us with an idea to become a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilized zk-Rollups, a variant of zero-knowledge proofs, to aggregate and compress multiple transactions into a single proof, which is then validated on-chain.

After thoughtful planning and requirements review, Dysnix offered such implementation:

  • Build two environments—for staging & production

  • Create a fault-tolerant and secure cloud architecture keeping the ZKPs functions in mind

  • TCO optimization (it was ten times more expensive on-premise compared to the Cloud)

  • Describe the infrastructure as code

  • Develop a custom auto-scaling solution based on business metrics

  • Load testing

  • Prevent possible technical problems by infra design

Thus, we’ve planned a cloud architecture consisting of the following elements:

The ZKPs in the flesh

The implementation stage led us through various challenges, but nothing special for our team. What matters the most is that zkSync became a solid project with a viable core that develops at a high pace even today, on the cloud infrastructure once created by Dysnix.

How we get the best deal with GCP, what S3 protocol has to do with this project, and other plot twists of this case are here:

Both freedom and security are possible

By integrating ZKPs, as we did for zkSync, we can significantly enhance user privacy and security, which aligns with our commitment to support blockchain in its purest form and let participants benefit from the freedom and security of it at once.

Have you imagined your own application powered by ZKPs?

I look forward to discussing this further with you and exploring how we can leverage ZKPs to enhance our blockchain applications. And by the way, our following email will contain stories about custom solutions for cloud infrastructure scaling of blockchain projects. Stay tuned!

Best regards, Daniel