Optimism to Kick Off Zero-Knowledge Proofs Project

Ethereum Layer 2 optimistic rollup scaling solution Optimism is moving forward with two proposals to add zero-knowledge proofs. The move aims to enable secure and efficient cross-chain communication between layers and directly between OP chains.

Both proposals, put forward by O(1) Labs and RISC Zero, promise to revamp Optimism's tech stack and bring zk-proof capabilities to the platform.

Zk-proof infrastructure and tooling company RISC Zero suggested upgrading Optimism's existing fault protocol to use zero-knowledge proof to ensure the correctness of state changes on Optimism, reducing the time to achieve finality. If anyone wishes to make a state change final, they can provide a zero-knowledge proof showing the change is correct. Similarly, if someone wants to challenge an incorrect state change, they can provide a proof of the correct state, the proposal stated.

Web3-focussed firm O(1) Labs, which incubated the Mina Protocol, proposes creating a new fault-proof solution using Kimchi — a zk-proof system currently used in Mina Protocol — to prove the correct execution of transactions efficiently. These proofs are then used to update the Ethereum network's state via smart contracts.

The Optimism Foundation is reaching out to O(1) Labs and RISC Zero directly to "kick off the project and discuss expectations in more detail.”