Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKPS) is the encryption of what TCP/IP is on the Internet. It’s integrated, yet completely mysterious to ordinary users. If you’ve been in cryptography for a while, you’ll probably know the basics, such as ZKP has the ability to verify information without revealing the underlying data. But beyond that, when we start to enter into Snark, Stark, FHE, and other abbreviations, it all gets rather complicated.
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It’s relaxing. We’re not here to talk about zero knowledge theory. We are here to talk about practice by examining three blockchain projects that utilize ZK proof to solve real problems. No encryption degrees are needed to understand what they are cooking and why it is such a game changer for on-chain data. A little curiosity and basic knowledge of blockchain is sufficient. If you have these attributes, continue.
Space and time
In a situation where your ZK proof cannot wait for another nanosecond to calculate another nanosecond, who do you call? Space and time are SXT, just as Zero Knowledge Proof is called ZKP for actual reasons. Also, when it comes to delivering verifiable data at the speed of lightning, SXT is ZKP Pro. Built on the Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP) framework, SXT’s technology allows complex queries to be run and validated in both on-chain and off-chain data sources.
Their use cases are as diverse as they are persuasive. Within defi, you enable space and time-verified data feeds, ensuring accurate and tamper-proof pricing and other financial metrics. In the case of AI, those proofs provide unreliable inputs, allowing the AI model to work with validated datasets without compromising privacy. Supported by integration with heavyweights such as ChainLink and Microsoft Azure, space and time make ZKPS a practical tool for the data-driven industry.
Currently, SXT is deeply involved in ZK Coprocessors, and as co-founder Scott Dykstra explains, “a new class of blockchain infrastructure that allows Smart Contract Dev to statelessly prove off-chain calculations for existing on-chain data.”
This leaves it up to SXT to act as the first unreliable database for ZK coprocessors on EVM.
A simple lab
Another US-based innovator like SXT, the concise lab tackles the challenges of secure, private communication across the blockchain network. Their focus is on ZK messaging and interoperability, leveraging a new framework called ZKWASM to enable efficient proof generation of WebAssembly programs. This allows a simple lab to create lightweight portable ZK proofs that can be verified across multiple chains.
Zkwasm’s hooks rely on the ability to abstract complex calculations, making it easier to deploy ZKPS. Concise Labs’ multi-chain messaging protocol allows blockchains to share data and execute transactions in a personal and verifiable way. By prioritizing interoperability, the brevity effectively lays the foundations of a blockchain landscape that provides highly connected privacy with applications ranging from decentralized exchange to cross-chain governance.
exist
Not satisfied with mastering one encryption discipline, Zama is chosen as ACE 2 by combining ZKP with completely homogeneous encryption (FHE) and allows for computation of encrypted data without encryption. This fusion enables sophisticated private computing solutions, particularly for financial use cases where data confidentiality is the most important. Zama’s technology allows institutions to process sensitive financial data such as credit scores and risk models without disclosing it to third parties.
Although FHE has historically been too slow for practical use, Zama’s approach focuses on optimized use cases, particularly within finance. From confidential smart contracts to encrypted purchase orders, the goal is to build a system that does not require the need to expose input, output, or processing logic.
Zama’s Hook is the ability to address the stringent requirements of financial regulators and businesses and provide calculations that provide privacy on a large scale. For example, these systems can prove compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and verify the integrity of their financial models without exposing their own algorithms.
The evidence is there
These three projects show the growth in maturity of ZK technology. From data verification and cross-chain security to encrypted calculations, zero knowledge proof is no longer limited to L2 rollups and protocol-level designs. They are rapidly expanding to new verticals and are being used by companies to solve real problems.
Perhaps most importantly, ZK’s evidence abandons its reputation as a purely academic pursuit. With sub-second proof generation, cross-chain complexity, and enterprise-ready computing, these technologies are ultimately stepping into production environments. Zero Knowledge Race is no longer about who can build the most elegant proof system. It’s about who can provide practical implementations of large-scale technologies, wild and practical implementations. And that race continues very much.
