What Is Zk-SNARKS(Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge)?

A type of proof that allows someone to prove they have certain information without revealing it.

Get to Know with Zk-SNARKS

Zk-SNARKs, short for "Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge," are a type of encryption where someone can prove they have specific information, like a secret code, without actually sharing that info. 

This process happens without any back-and-forth between the person proving and the person checking, which helps keep things private for users.

What is Zero Knowledge?

"Zero knowledge" means one person (the 'prover') can show they know something secret (the 'witness') to another person (the 'verifier') without letting the verifier or anyone else see the witness, except that it's valid. "Succinct" means these proofs can be checked really quickly, as they're only a few hundred bytes long. 

"Non-interactive" means the prover only has to send one message to the verifier. "Argument" is just a fancy word for these proofs, and "Knowledge" refers to the secret thing the prover knows.

Requirement Before Transaction

When using blockchain, someone might need to prove they meet certain conditions before making a transaction. For instance, they might have to prove they have enough money for a transaction without revealing exactly how much they have. Zk-SNARKs also help with proving identity on a blockchain. 

For example, if person B wants to check person A's identity, they can send A a secret message without saying what it is. Then, A can decode the message using their secret code and send it back to B, proving who they are.

Conclusion

Zk-SNARKs only leave a record of the proof of the transaction on the blockchain, hiding the identity of the sender, receiver, and other transaction details. Zcash was the first popular cryptocurrency to use zk-SNARKs, allowing for private transactions.

Read Also

What is Proof of Stake (PoS)?

What is Proof of Validation (PoV)?

What is Proof of Attendance Protocol?

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