zk-SNARK

zk-SNARK

Zero-Knowledge SNARKs (zk-SNARKs) are a class of cryptographic proofs that allow for secure and private transactions and computations without the need to reveal any sensitive information. The term "zk-SNARK" stands for "Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge.” zk-SNARKs work by creating a cryptographic proof that a certain computation has been carried out correctly, without revealing any of the inputs or outputs of that computation. This proof can be verified publicly without revealing any information about the original computation. zk-SNARKs have been adopted by several blockchain projects such as Zcash and Ethereum, and they are particularly relevant for applications such as private transactions, data sharing and voting systems. However, zk-SNARKs do come with some drawbacks, such as the need for trusted setup ceremonies, which can potentially compromise the security of the system.