ZK-STARK and ZK-SNARK: What Sets Them Apart?

Calibraint

Author

September 18, 2024

Last updated: October 17, 2024

Hey blockchain developers! Ever wondered what makes ZK-SNARK VS STARK different? These two cryptographic technologies are making waves in the blockchain world, especially when it comes to privacy and scalability. 

ZK-SNARKs are currently utilized by 75% of blockchain projects focused on privacy, thanks to their efficiency and compact proof sizes. Conversely, ZK-STARKs, which offer greater scalability and transparency, have experienced a 55% growth in adoption recently. 

In this blog, we’ll chat about what sets them apart and how they can be used in your blockchain development projects.

What is Zero Knowledge Proof?

A zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method that allows one party (the prover) to convince another party (the verifier) that a statement is true, without revealing any information about the statement itself.

In essence, it’s like proving you know a secret without actually telling the secret. This is achieved by demonstrating that you can perform actions that only someone with knowledge of the secret could do.

Key characteristics of ZKPs

• Completeness: If the statement is true and both parties follow the protocol honestly, the verifier will be convinced.  
• Soundness: If the statement is false, no prover can convince the verifier.  
• Zero-knowledge: The verifier learns nothing about the statement beyond its truth. 
  

Applications of ZKPs

• Blockchain privacy: ZKPs can be used to enhance the privacy of transactions on blockchains, allowing users to prove ownership of assets without revealing their identities.  
• Authentication: ZKPs can be used for secure authentication, where users can prove their identity without exposing their passwords or biometric data.  
• Verifiable computations: ZKPs can be used to verify the correctness of complex computations without revealing the input or output data.   

Understanding ZK-SNARKs & ZK-STARKs 

ZK-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge) and ZK-STARKs (Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge) are cryptographic technologies used for proving the validity of information without revealing the underlying data. They are essential to enhancing privacy and scalability in blockchain systems, such as privacy coins, decentralized applications (dApps), and layer-2 solutions. 

ZK-SNARKs: A Primer

ZK-SNARK stands for Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge. It’s a cryptographic protocol that allows one party (the “prover”) to prove to another party (the “verifier”) that they know certain information, without revealing the actual information itself. They are widely used in blockchain systems and privacy-focused applications. This is achieved while maintaining privacy and efficiency.

Key Components of a ZK-SNARK

1. Common Reference String (CRS): A publicly available string that both the prover and verifier use.
2. Proof: A short, cryptographically secure message that the prover generates to convince the verifier.
3. Verification: A process where the verifier checks if the proof is valid, given the CRS.

How ZK-SNARKs Work

1. Setup: A trusted party generates the CRS.
2. Proving: The prover, knowing a secret value, creates a proof using the CRS.
3. Verification: The verifier receives the proof and checks its validity using the CRS. If the proof is valid, the verifier is convinced that the prover knows the secret value without learning it.

Applications of ZK-SNARKs

• Privacy-Preserving Voting: ZK-SNARKs can ensure that votes are cast correctly without revealing the voter’s choice.
• Blockchain Scalability: They can be used to scale blockchain networks by allowing for off-chain computations.
• Financial Privacy: ZK-SNARKs can enable private transactions in financial systems.
• Identity Verification: They can verify identities without revealing personal information.

Advantages of ZK-SNARKs

• Privacy: They protect the privacy of the prover’s secret value.
• Efficiency: Proofs are concise, making verification fast.
• Non-Interactivity: The prover and verifier don’t need to interact multiple times.

Challenges and Considerations

• Complexity: ZK-SNARKs can be complex to implement and understand.
• Trust in Setup: The trusted party who generates the CRS must be trusted to not compromise the system.
• Efficiency Trade-offs: There can be trade-offs between proof size, verification time, and security.

ZK-STARKs: A Brief Overview

ZK-STARKs (Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge) are a type of cryptographic proof system that offer similar functionalities to ZK-SNARKs but with distinct advantages.

Key Differences Between ZK-SNARK VS STARK

1. Transparency: Unlike ZK-SNARKs, which require a trusted setup, ZK-STARKs are transparent. This means anyone can verify the correctness of the proof without relying on a trusted third party.
2. Scalability: ZK-STARKs are designed to be more scalable, allowing for proofs of larger computations.
3. Proof Size and Verification Time: ZK-STARKs generally have larger proof sizes and longer verification times compared to ZK-SNARKs. However, these trade-offs can be mitigated with certain optimizations.

How ZK-STARKs Work

1. Computation: The prover performs a computation and generates a proof.
2. Verification: The verifier checks the validity of the proof. This involves verifying that the prover has indeed performed the computation correctly.

Applications of ZK-STARKs

• Blockchain Scalability: ZK-STARKs can be used to scale blockchain networks by enabling off-chain computations.
• Privacy-Preserving Data Analysis: They can be used to analyze data while preserving privacy.
• Verifiable Computation: ZK-STARKs can be used to verify the correctness of computations performed by untrusted parties.

Advantages of ZK-STARKs

• Transparency: Eliminates the need for a trusted setup.
• Scalability: Can handle larger computations.
• Flexibility: Can be adapted to various applications.

Challenges and Considerations

• Proof Size and Verification Time: Larger proofs and longer verification times can be a limitation in certain use cases.
• Complexity: ZK-STARKs are generally more complex to implement than ZK-SNARKs.

Comparing ZK-SNARKs vs ZK-STARKs

Key Differences Explained

• Trusted Setup: ZK-SNARKs require a trusted party to generate a common reference string (CRS), which can be a security concern. ZK-STARKs, on the other hand, do not require a trusted setup, making them more transparent and secure.
• Proof Size and Verification Time: ZK-SNARKs generally have smaller proofs and faster verification times compared to ZK-STARKs. However, ZK-STARKs can be more scalable for larger computations.
• Scalability: ZK-STARKs are designed to be more scalable, making them suitable for applications involving large amounts of data or complex computations.

In conclusion, both ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs have their own strengths and weaknesses. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the application, such as the need for transparency, scalability, and proof size.

Closing Lines

ZK-SNARKs have gained significant popularity in the crypto world due to their exceptional features and benefits. Zcash, for instance, utilizes ZK-SNARKs to ensure maximum privacy, contributing to their widespread adoption. However, concerns about the trusted setup process and potential vulnerabilities have led to the emergence of alternatives like ZK-STARKs. Understanding the differences between ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs can help individuals choose the ideal solution for their projects.

The ongoing development and refinement of ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs mark significant advancements in zero-knowledge proofs. 

At Calibraint, we recognize that the future of cryptography is promising, with privacy, security, and scalability at the forefront of innovation. We are committed to providing our clients with top-notch cryptography and layer 2 solutions development support. Connect with our team to learn more about our services. Get started today!

Calibraint

Author

September 18, 2024

Last updated: October 17, 2024