ZkSync Era’s Ethereum-2 layer scaling solution Launched A new, scalable proof-of-knowledge (STARK) system called Boojum that promises to run on consumer-grade general processing units (GPUs).
ZkSync Era is one of the few Ethereum scaling protocols that uses zero-knowledge pools (ZK-rollups) to increase capacity and speed while reducing fees. ZK-rollups mostly use two prominent proof systems: zk-STARKs and zero-sum summary non-interactive knowledge arguments (zk-SNARKs).
The new Boojum system is based on zkSync’s Rust-based crypto library that implements an upgraded version of the computational circuitry for the zkSync Era and the ZK developer suite. More importantly, it allows Boojum testers to be run on everyday PCs instead of powerful machines and servers.
The upgrade can be run on computers with only 16 GB of RAM for the GPU, ensuring that regular users are engaged in network activity. For context, zkSync currently runs an array of 100 GPUs, each with 80GB of RAM.
Prior to Boojum’s launch, zkSync was primarily based on zk-SNARKs, which were capable but relatively less transparent than zk-STARK-based systems. The former system processed about 100 transactions per second, while Boojum promises to deliver superior processing capabilities.
Related: Privacy, scalability driving use cases for zero-knowledge technology
In the final phase of implementation, the new proof will wrap STARK proofs with an opaque association-based SNARK tag. It will basically be a slightly upgraded version of the existing SNARK-based proof system. This proof requires less storage space and is cheaper for verification, which reduces the cost of the proof system, and thus the transactions themselves.
Boojum is currently working on the zkSync Era mainnet to test, build, and verify Shadow Guides. Developers are currently testing shadow proofs using real production data before full migration and larger use. The new system will be upgraded without any reconfiguration.
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