ZK Co-processor: Driving Blockchain Technology Towards Large-scale Applications

Co-processors play an important role in the computer field, responsible for handling specific tasks for the CPU. The Ethereum Blockchain faces issues such as high Gas fees and data access limitations, hindering the large-scale adoption of applications. ZK co-processors have emerged as a solution, capable of handling complex computations and data-intensive tasks while ensuring the reliability of off-chain operations.

Currently, ZK co-processors are mainly applied in three major scenarios: on-chain data indexing, oracles, and ZKML. Some well-known projects include Risc Zero, Lagrange, and Succinct, which adopt different technical architectures to implement general-purpose ZK virtual machines.

The Bonsai architecture of Risc Zero provides a set of blockchain-agnostic zero-knowledge proof components that support multiple programming languages. Lagrange is dedicated to building verifiable databases and efficient computation frameworks. The Succinct Network aims to integrate programmable facts into all aspects of blockchain development.

Unlike Layer 2, ZK co-processors are more oriented towards application development. They can serve as off-chain virtual machine components for Layer 2, computing offloading tools for public chain applications, cross-chain data oracles, or cross-chain bridges, among others. This technology has the potential to reconstruct many middleware in the Blockchain.

Despite the broad prospects of ZK co-processors, there are still some challenges. These include a high entry barrier for developers, the technology still being in its early stages, and the hardware support not being fully ready.

Looking to the future, ZK technology will drive the blockchain from decentralization to de-trustification. General-purpose ZK co-processors are expected to become key tools in achieving this goal. With the realization of real-time provable databases across the entire chain and low-cost off-chain computation, the software development paradigm may undergo a fundamental transformation.

Although the current cycle lacks breakthrough innovations, it is precisely a key period for laying the foundation for the next generation of large-scale application technologies. It is expected that in the next round of the cycle, the ZK industry chain will achieve commercial landing, paving the way for Web3 to support on-chain interactions for billions of users.