Last week, Polygon introduced the “type 1 prover”
Last week, Polygon announced the introduction of the “type 1 prover,” a technology that allows EVM-compatible chains to adopt zero-knowledge proofs. The type 1 prover is expected to be released later this year and will be incorporated into Polygon’s CDK (software stack). This advancement improves upon the project’s previous type 2 proving mechanism, which lacked compatibility with other EVM chains. According to Brendan Farmer, a co-founder of Polygon, the type-1 prover can generate zero-knowledge proofs for any EVM chain without requiring hard forks or adjustments to existing clients.
Polygon Labs aims to transition blockchains into validiums
Polygon Labs plans to leverage the type 1 prover to transition various blockchains, including side chains and optimistic roll-ups, into validiums. Validiums are a specialized form of Layer 2 networks that use zero-knowledge proofs to enhance efficiency and reduce transaction costs. In a validium structure, only zk-proofs are stored on the Ethereum mainnet, while actual transaction data is held off-chain with the help of a data availability solution. This differs from ZK-Rollups, which also publish proofs of app data on the Ethereum mainnet.
According to Farmer, projects can choose to become full-fledged ZK-rollups if they want to utilize the type-1 prover. However, this decision is up to each individual team.
The advantages of moving to a ZK-based network
Moving to a ZK-based network such as validiums or ZK-rollups offers several advantages for Layer 2 projects. One significant benefit is the elimination of the seven-day withdrawal delay associated with optimistic rollup solutions. This delay has been a point of contention as it adds additional time and costs for users relying on third-party bridges for transactions. Farmer highlighted that this delay costs users tens of millions of dollars, whereas proving all the transactions on optimistic rollups would only cost a few hundred thousand dollars. Upgrading to a ZK-based network resolves this issue.
Polygon’s AggLayer for interoperability
After transitioning to a ZK-based network, chains can be connected through Polygon’s interoperability protocol, the AggLayer. The AggLayer aims to provide interoperability and unified liquidity for Layer 2s. The first version of the AggLayer is scheduled to be released in February, enabling developers to connect blockchains. It will ensure uniform security across modular and monolithic chains within the Polygon ecosystem. The AggLayer will be a critical component of Polygon 2.0, the next iteration of the Polygon network, as it aggregates ZK proofs from all connected chains.
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