Key takeaway
Validity proofs enable groundbreaking compression
Proof systems are likely the future of Bitcoin
Chain state proofs allow to sync instantly. No fork required
Many other applications such as Lightning privacy, and scalability of assets on Bitcoin
Main limitation: prover performance (but probably solvable)
zkCSV offers great scalability and privacy
A ZKP verifier on the main layer solves many problems

Who is ZeroSync?
ZeroSync, a pioneering blockchain synchronization protocol, emerged on the scene in July 2022, signaling a paradigm shift in decentralized technology. Founded with a vision to enhance the efficiency and scalability of blockchain networks, ZeroSync has rapidly achieved significant milestones since its inception. You can read about their roadmap here.
> Heading to production-grade Bitcoin proofs.
Why Introduce ZKP to Bitcoin
Prominent figures like Gregory Maxwell have emphasized the use of zero knowledge proofs to establish trustless sidechains long time ago. The idea of employing these proofs to ensure the integrity of computations within a sidechain has been a longstanding concept. Maxwell’s paper, “zero knowledge contingent payments,” in 2011, became the basis for future zk-proofs development in blockchains. It’s used by Zcash, mainly as a privacy tool.
The latest game changer is Succinct Zero-Knowledge Proofs. It introduced groundbreaking compression capabilities. Light clients or simple payment verification (SPV) nodes can validate the Bitcoin blockchain data almost instantly instead of taking hours (and sometimes days) to download the chain’s current 500 GB of data.
Bitcoin transactions 100x faster
SPV nodes have always existed on the Bitcoin blockchain. In fact, Satoshi Nakamoto mentioned the concept in the Bitcoin white paper. This is a step further by verifying transactions via cryptographic proof rather than merely trusting honest nodes as suggested by Satoshi.
ZKP could have a profound effect on how Bitcoin users interact with the network, because users can better protect their privacy with more advanced validity proof systems that will make transactions 100x faster.
Atomic Swap of Files and Coins
Atomic swaps can facilitate efficient exchanges between coins and files. For example, one can have a very efficient atomic swap of coins versus files. Suppose someone possesses the hash of a video on a decentralized storage dAPP; they can sell that video and provide proof that the buyer will receive it upon transferring the coins. The seller would only receive the coins if they actually deliver the video. This atomic swap mechanism holds significant interest for applications such as Nostr relays, as well as decentralized file hosting and decentralized web ideas in general. These primitives enable secure and trustless transactions, benefiting the entire ecosystem of decentralized technologies.
Can we verify Bitcoin data on my phone?
Prover performance issue
The Prover performance issue in zero-knowledge proofs is a significant concern that impacts the efficiency of the process. Currently, proving a full block takes approximately 3.5 hours, which is quite time-consuming and unoptimized. Furthermore, the memory requirements for the Prover are substantial, surpassing 100 GB. This demand for memory presents a challenge, especially for systems with limited resources.
Data availability issue
The data availability issue in zero-knowledge proofs poses a challenge when it comes to verifying the availability of data. State proofs, which are used to prove the integrity of the state and UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) set commitment, do not provide a mechanism to directly verify the availability of underlying data.
This data availability challenge opens up the possibility of a potential attack known as a data withholding attack. In this attack, a malicious party can withhold or hide data, creating a scenario where different sets of nodes (zk-nodes and conventional nodes) believe in different states of the network. For example, if millions of zk-nodes have a different perception of the network state compared to 50,000 conventional nodes, it can lead to inconsistencies and conflicts.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, the integration of zero-knowledge proofs into Bitcoin opens up exciting possibilities for privacy, scalability, and advanced functionality. As the technology evolves, we can expect to see increased adoption and exploration of zero-knowledge proof applications within the Bitcoin ecosystem, further strengthening its position as a robust and versatile decentralized currency system.
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