An Advanced and Efficient EVM for ZK Apps - Key Takeaways from the Horizen 2.0 Whitepaper

TL;DR

• Horizen is an OG blockchain launched in 2017 with a long history of ZK dedication
• Horizen 2.0 is a pivotal ecosystem upgrade that introduces a series of unique capabilities aimed at addressing some of the biggest challenges currently existing in ZK
• Current challenges in ZK hindering wide adoption and future growth
• Horizen 2.0 solves the current challenges in ZK and making ZK cheaper, faster and more accessible for developers
• Horizen is evolving with the latest in ZK advancements coupling with EVM capabilities providing a frictionless ZK proving process

Horizen, one of the OG blockchains originally launched as ZenCash in 2017, has evolved significantly to become a scalable and robust ZK-focused blockchain platform. Its mission is to provide the most efficient and cost-effective ecosystem for developers to build a range of decentralized applications that leverage zero-knowledge technology. Horizen’s vision centers on creating a truly decentralized network that ensures efficiency, security, and scalability, empowering individuals and businesses alike.

With the passing of the ZenIP 42406, Horizen moved forward with Horizen 2.0 - a pivotal ecosystem upgrade that positions Horizen as a leading player in the ZK landscape. Horizen 2.0 introduces a series of unique capabilities aimed at addressing some of the biggest challenges currently existing in ZK that hinder the future growth and wide adoption of ZK tech.  The Horizen 2.0 whitepaper, authored by Horizen Labs, outlines these significant technological advancements and strategic approaches to the Horizen ecosystem. This summary provides key insights from the whitepaper, offering a clear understanding of the changes and their implications for various stakeholders.

Current Challenges in ZK

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.

• EVM Compatibility Issues with Limited ZK Capabilities

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.

• Limitations on Ethereum

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.

• Need for Advance Proving Systems

ZK technology is advancing swiftly, necessitating more sophisticated proving systems for optimal performance. It requires an ecosystem that can keep pace with its advancements.

Horizen 2.0 Key Takeaways

The whitepaper outlines the Horizen 2.0’s approaches to address the challenges in ZK:

EVM with Built-in Precomplies Tailored for ZK Apps

Horizen 2.0 provides multiple specialized precompiles tailored for ZK applications. This innovation provides enhanced efficiency and reduced costs for ZK app development.

Improved Scalability and Cost-Efficiency for ZK-Based Solutions

Horizen 2.0 addresses significant scalability and cost-efficiency issues, making ZK apps more accessible and economical to run.

Seamless Integration with Existing Ethereum Tools and Protocols

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.

Enhanced Selective Disclosure and Security Features for Dapps

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.

Expanded Use Cases: DeFi, Identity Verification, Voting, Gaming, and AI/ML

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.

User-Friendly Approach to Building ZK Applications

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.

Potential to Standardize ZK App Development Process

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.

Commitment to Keeping Pace with Rapidly Evolving ZK Technology

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.

Horizen 2.0 Technology

The whitepaper describes the technical advancements Horizen 2.0 brings, and here is a high-level overview:

Precompiled Contracts for Efficient ZK Proof Verification

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.

Parachain to zkVerify Relay Chain for Enhanced Interoperability and Generalized Verifier for Accessing Latest zkVerify Capabilities

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.

ZEN Staking using DPoS Consensus with Nimbus Framework for Collator Selection

The Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism, combined with the Nimbus framework, ensures efficient and fair collator selection, enhancing network performance and scalability.

Substrate-Based Architecture

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.

Fully EVM-Compatible

Horizen 2.0 is an EVM chain specifically designed for ZK apps, providing a familiar environment for developers while enhancing ZK capabilities.

Use Cases and Applications

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.

Future Outlook

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.

Conclusion

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.

Read the whitepaper to deep dive into the strategic approaches and technology of Horizen 2.0

Website: horizen.io

X: @horizenglobal