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The Future of Blockchains: Intent-Based Architectures with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Introduction The evolution of decentralized applications (dApps) depends on a shift from programmable settlement to intent-based architectures. These systems redefine how applications are built, focusing on generalized intents—high-level expressions of desired outcomes. By leveraging zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and succinct validity proofs, intent-based architectures offer transformative advantages in scalability, privacy,

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Design Strategies: How to Construct A Hashing Mode?

Recap In our previous blog, we explored the fundamental properties of cryptographic hash functions (CHFs) and discussed their crucial role in maintaining the integrity and security of data with 3MI Labs. In this post, we delve into the architectural strategies behind hash functions. These strategies, or modes of operation, are

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Introduction: Hash functions in Cryptography

Cryptographic Hash Functions (CHF) are fundamental to securing the digital world. From protecting passwords to enabling blockchain and zero-knowledge (ZK) systems, CHFs play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, security, and privacy of data. This blog is the first in a series where we’ll explore the world of

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A Series On Hash Functions

The development and use of integrity/zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs has accelerated over the past few years. The introduction of general purpose ZK virtual machines, which allow us to write and prove Rust code, has made developing verifiable applications easier and faster. We have blockchains like Mina that prove every block

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Introduction to Polynomial Commitment Schemes (PCS)

Polynomial commitment schemes (PCS) are at the core of proof systems. They determine key properties such as proof size, verification time, and whether the system is post-quantum secure. The Kate-Zaverucha-Goldberg (KZG) is a popular PCS, first appearing in 2010. Learn more: Polynomial commitment schemes allow us to commit to a

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Plonk: A Mathematical Overview of this Proof System

Plonk is one of the most widely used proof systems. It is at the core of the proof systems used by ZKsync, Mina, Halo2 (by Zcash), Plonky2 (Polygon), and Succinct Labs SP1’s compression proof, gnark, due to its versatility and efficient prover. Since it's introduction, the Plonk

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Mina to Ethereum Bridge

Mina is a layer 1 (L1) blockchain that uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to maintain its size at 22 kB. Its vibrant community and technology make it unique and developers and users from other ecosystems could benefit from their interaction with Mina. To this end, Aligned will support the technology needed

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Learn about: Binius - A proof system on binary fields

Recently, Vitalik Buterin wrote on binary fields and their potential to generate zero-knowledge proofs. Binary fields are finite fields with characteristic equal to two. We can view them as polynomials whose coefficients can only take the values 0 and 1, so 1 + x^2 + x^6 are elements in some

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Learn About: Kimchi Proofs

Aligned is designed to verify any proof system efficiently and for a fraction of the cost in Ethereum. Kimchi is the proof system at the heart of Mina. Do you want to know what makes Kimchi special? Mina is a succinct blockchain. It generates proofs for each block,  allowing any

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Aligning an interoperable multi-chain future with ZK

The future of crypto is increasingly multi-chain. Blockchains are a powerful new platform for developers to build decentralized and trustless applications, but their properties place limits on scalability. To address this, we have seen an explosion in the number of blockchains, which has increased the global supply of blockspace and

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What does a ZK Verification Layer do?

Aligned is a ZK verification layer for Ethereum. But what does a ZK verification layer do? Why is it needed? Read on to find out! Ethereum is achieving scalability through a rollup-centric roadmap. There are two types of rollups: optimistic and ZK. Basically, we move execution to rollups, which inherit

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Exploring ZK Proofs: A Focus on the Groth16 proof system

Aligned is designed to verify every proof system. Groth16 was one of the first efficient proof systems. It's used by projects like Zcash, Worldcoin, RISC Zero, and SP1 by Succinct Labs. At the core of Groth16 lie pairing-friendly elliptic curves, such as BN254 and BLS12-381. These curves allow