Zero-Knowledge Rollups

What Are Zero-Knowledge Rollups?

Simply put, zero-knowledge rollups (or ZK-rollups) are a type of scalability solution. They combine multiple transfer proofs into a single transaction that can be instantly verified on multiple blockchain levels. Zero-knowledge rollups are still a fairly new concept, but they can already be found on platforms like StarkNet and zkSync.

A zero-knowledge rollup interacts with multiple levels of a blockchain. The majority of ZK-rollups run on Ethereum, so let's use that as an example. The main Ethereum chain has its benefits, but they often come with high transaction fees and low speeds. Ethereum Layer 2 blockchains use the security of the main chain, while adding additional speed and affordability.

ZK-rollups allow you to create a transaction that works for both layers. Any given ZK- rollup is a transaction that contains multiple zero-knowledge proofs in one bundle. This transaction is a smart contract that can maintain its state on both Layer 2 and Layer 1 of the blockchain. Without getting too deep into details, this essentially means a ZK-rollup verifies information for multiple transactions in multiple places, so it saves time and money.

How Do Zero-Knowledge Rollups Work?