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With the passing of the
The benefits of ZK are multifaceted, including the ability to reduce computational load, lower costs, and safeguard data between parties. However, ZK capability within decentralized applications remains limited, hindering its widespread implementation and utilization.
The vast majority of the Web3 space is built on EVM-compatible applications, enabling seamless communication, interoperability, and a common set of tools and protocols. However, the EVM standard was not initially designed with ZK capabilities in mind, necessitating a new set of tools and protocols to build ZK applications. Unfortunately, these advancements require different programming languages, interfaces, and tools, creating barriers to communication and causing fragmentation within the broader Web3 community.
The alternative to using non-EVM compatible protocols is to use Ethereum for building ZK apps. This comes with two significant challenges: cost and technical limitations. Ethereum is already a congested network, and verifying proofs is a computationally intensive process, making it costly for ZK apps to operate.
ZK technology is advancing swiftly, necessitating more sophisticated proving systems for optimal performance. It requires an ecosystem that can keep pace with its advancements.
The whitepaper outlines the Horizen 2.0’s approaches to address the challenges in ZK:
Horizen 2.0 provides multiple specialized precompiles tailored for ZK applications. This innovation provides enhanced efficiency and reduced costs for ZK app development.
Horizen 2.0 addresses significant scalability and cost-efficiency issues, making ZK apps more accessible and economical to run.
As an EVM-compatible chain, Horizen 2.0 allows developers to use existing Ethereum tools and protocols. This compatibility ensures a smooth transition and integration for developers, reducing the learning curve and facilitating broader adoption of the platform.
Horizen 2.0 offers robust selective disclosure and security features, making it ideal for applications that require high levels of data protection. These enhancements ensure that sensitive information remains confidential, thereby boosting user trust and adoption.
Horizen 2.0 supports a wide range of use cases that benefit from the ZK tech, including DeFi, identity verification, voting, gaming, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (zkML) applications. This versatility positions Horizen as a comprehensive ZK solution for various industries, driving innovation and application development.
Horizen 2.0 simplifies the development of ZK apps, reducing the complexity and barriers for developers. This user-friendly approach encourages more developers to build on Horizen, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of ZK apps.
By providing advanced ZK tools and a standardized approach, Horizen 2.0 aims to streamline the development of ZK apps, fostering innovation and wide adoption of ZK tech.
Horizen 2.0 is designed to evolve with advancements in ZK technology, ensuring continuous improvement and relevance in the blockchain ecosystem. This commitment to innovation ensures that Horizen remains at the forefront of the industry.
The whitepaper describes the technical advancements Horizen 2.0 brings, and here is a high-level overview:
Horizen 2.0 includes precompiled contracts for various ZK proof systems like
Groth16, Plonk, Fflonk, UltraPlonk, Halo2, STARK, Boojum, RiscZero and Binius, enabling rapid and cost-effective proof verification directly within the EVM.
Horizen 2.0 operates as a Para Chain to the zkVerify Relay Chain, facilitating interoperability within the ecosystem. A Generalized Verifier precompile taps into zkVerify's comprehensive verification framework, offering frictionless access to the latest proof systems without the need for bridging. Additionally, the use of Cross-Consensus Messages (XCM) enables asynchronous proof verification, further improving scalability and reducing latency in ZK apps.
The Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism, combined with the Nimbus framework, ensures efficient and fair collator selection, enhancing network performance and scalability.
Horizen 2.0's architecture leverages Substrate's modular design, allowing for flexible and efficient runtime components that can be easily updated and optimized. This allows for the interoperability of functionality between all chains in the network while maintaining security. Substrates modular design also allows for updates to be made quicker by developers, with the added benefit of not always requiring a hard fork.
Horizen 2.0 is an EVM chain specifically designed for ZK apps, providing a familiar environment for developers while enhancing ZK capabilities.
Horizen 2.0’s advancements open up a wide range of real-world applications across various industries. Several case studies in the whitepaper illustrate the potential of Horizen 2.0 in different scenarios, including Identity Verification, DeFi, Voting, Gaming, Verifiable Computing, Bridge Technology, zkML, and Deep Fakes.
Horizen 2.0 has the potential to make a significant impact on the blockchain space and beyond. By addressing critical challenges and introducing innovative solutions, Horizen is well-positioned to drive widespread adoption of blockchain technology. Its advancements could influence not only the tech industry but also various sectors that stand to benefit from decentralized solutions.
The Horizen 2.0 whitepaper presents a comprehensive vision for the future of the Horizen ecosystem. Key takeaways include significant improvements in scalability, security, and interoperability, as well as a refined economic model and enhanced governance framework. These updates position Horizen as a leading platform in the blockchain space, poised for continued growth and innovation. As the platform evolves, it holds great promise for delivering on its mission of providing an efficient, secure, scalable environment for a wide range of applications.
Website: horizen.io