Plonky3 Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Recursive ZK proof system for verifiable state transitions and trustless cross-chain bridges.
Plonky3 is a state-of-the-art recursive proof system built on Plonkish arithmetization. Sahyadri integrates Plonky3 for generating compact zero-knowledge proofs of block validity, enabling light clients and trustless bridge verification without downloading full block data.
The key innovation of Plonky3 is its use of the Goldilocks field (64-bit), which maps perfectly to modern CPU architectures. This makes proof generation significantly faster compared to other ZK systems that use larger fields requiring expensive multi-precision arithmetic.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
Proof System | Plonky3 | Recursive SNARK based on Plonkish arithmetization |
Field | Goldilocks (64-bit) | Optimal for 64-bit architectures |
Proof Size | ~50-200 KB | Compact proofs for efficient verification |
Proving Time | ~2-10 seconds | Per block proof generation |
Verification Time | < 100 ms | Constant-time verification |
Recursion | Supported | Proofs can verify other proofs |
Use Cases | Bridge proofs, light clients | Trustless verification |
Implementation | sahyadri-plonky3 (Rust) | Custom Plonky3 fork |
Arithmetization | Plonkish | Modern ZK circuit representation |
Prover Complexity | O(n log n) | Efficient proving time |
Verifier Complexity | O(1) | Constant verification regardless of proof size |
Soundness | ~100-bit | Cryptographic security level |
Completeness | Perfect | Valid proofs always verify |
Zero-Knowledge | Yes | No information leakage from proofs |
Use Cases
Light Clients
Verify blockchain state without downloading full blocks
Cross-Chain Bridges
Trustless bridge verification between Sahyadri and other chains
State Verification
Prove account balances and transactions efficiently
DID Credentials
Privacy-preserving identity verification
Scalability
Batch multiple proofs into single compact proof
Auditability
Publicly verifiable proofs for regulatory compliance
Proof Generation Example (Rust)
// Rust (Plonky3) use plonky3::*; // Build circuit for block validity let circuit = BlockValidityCircuit::new(); // Generate proof let proof = circuit.prove(&block_data); // Verify proof (constant time) let valid = circuit.verify(&proof); assert!(valid);
Recursive Proof Composition
// Recursive proofs - verify multiple proofs in one let proof1 = circuit1.prove(&block1); let proof2 = circuit2.prove(&block2); // Aggregate both proofs into single proof let aggregated = Aggregator::aggregate(&[proof1, proof2]); // Verify single aggregated proof let valid = Aggregator::verify(&aggregated); // valid = true (both proofs verified)
Cross-Chain Bridge Verification
// Bridge flow using ZK proofs
// 1. Generate proof of locked funds on Sahyadri
let lock_proof = bridge_circuit.prove(&lock_transaction);
// 2. Verify proof on target chain (Ethereum, Solana, etc.)
let valid = target_chain.verify(lock_proof);
// 3. Release equivalent tokens on target chain
if valid {
target_chain.release_tokens(amount, recipient);
}