Selective Zero-Knowledge Proof Verification for Blockchain Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current zero-knowledge proof systems in blockchain face high verification costs and scalability issues due to the need for on-chain verification of all proof values, which hinders privacy preservation and increases transaction fees.
Innovation Solution
A selective verification system where off-chain verification is performed for all proof values, and on-chain verification is only conducted for false or unverified proof values, reducing operational costs and improving scalability by storing all proof values in the blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-chain verification is performed for all proof values, then verification reliability is improved, but verification cost and storage cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The verification process is segmented into two parts: off-chain verification for all proof values (performed by verification contracts) and on-chain verification only for false or unverified proof values. This segmentation reduces the burden on the blockchain while maintaining verification reliability through a hybrid approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of verifying all proof values on-chain (excessive action), the system performs partial verification: off-chain verification for all proofs and on-chain verification only when necessary (for false or unverified proofs). This partial action approach significantly reduces verification costs while maintaining sufficient reliability.
2Reliability
If on-chain verification is performed for all proof values, then verification reliability is improved, but scalability deteriorates due to high transaction fees and limited transactions per block
Solution Approach 1:
Verification is segmented between off-chain (verification contracts) and on-chain (blockchain) environments. Most verifications occur off-chain, allowing the blockchain to focus only on critical verification cases, thereby improving scalability without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial verification on-chain only when necessary (for false or unverified proofs), rather than verifying all proofs on-chain. This reduces the number of transactions required on the blockchain, lowering fees and improving throughput.
3Quantity of substance
If all proof values are stored in the blockchain, then data completeness is improved, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the verification process from the blockchain and performs it off-chain in verification contracts. Only the essential proof values are stored on-chain, while verification operations are moved to the off-chain environment, reducing storage costs while maintaining data completeness.
4Speed
If zk-SNARK is used for fast verification, then verification speed is improved, but trusted setup is required which reduces security
Solution Approach 1:
Verification contracts serve as intermediaries that perform off-chain verification using zk-SNARK or other proof systems. This allows fast verification while separating the trusted setup requirements from the main blockchain, enabling the use of fast proof systems without compromising blockchain security.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a selective verification system and method of zero-knowledge proofs for scalability of a blockchain, the system including: a proof unit generating a proof as a result of Prove( ) for a fact to be proved, and generating a transaction in the blockchain and storing the proof; a verification unit executing, when a new proof is registered, off-chain Verify( ) for a contract, a vk, and the proof, standing by when a result of execution is a value of true, and after a preset time elapses, determining that the proof is true; and an operation unit executing on-chain Verify( ) in response to a request for verification from the verification unit and imposing a penalty when a result of execution is a value of false.