From fresh reports on ZK privacy and proof verification to ePrint highlights, the recent @eth_proofs call, and our upcoming in-person workshop in San Francisco, this update covers a wide spectrum of ZK activity from the past week.
We’ve compiled everything you need to stay current in one place
This week, we released three new feature conversations:
1. Eric Vreeland (CSO at Polyhedra) - https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1945470322972795069
We sat down with @vreeland, Chief Strategy Officer at @PolyhedraZK, to explore the architecture of performant proof systems, developer onboarding with ProofCloud, and the move from bridging to verifiable AI.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f2U2nr6mN29XJcsctJzsf
YouTube:
2. The Succinct Special with Uma Roy - https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1945557874329227426
In this broadcast, @pumatheuma (CEO of @SuccinctLabs) joined us to reveal the latest announcements from the Succinct ecosystem and discuss all things zkVMs.
3. Bitcoin Economy Interview with Michael Terpin - https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1944736060388352078
We released a new recording from the Bitcoin Economy Conference in Las Vegas, where we sat down with the Crypto Godfather himself, @michaelterpin - founder of @BitAngels, Transform Ventures, and now advisor to @GOATRollup.
Topics include Bitcoin’s four-season cycle model, the rise of programmable Bitcoin, a vision for a freedom-first financial system, and much more.
The third @eth_proofs call delivered key insights into @ethereum's deepening integration of zkVM infrastructure, GPU prover acceleration, and the roadmap toward scaling the Layer 1 to 1 gigagas per second.
Highlights:
zkVM Tracker: @drakefjustin shared tracker updates, including GPU prover tracking, @ProjectZKM’s zkMIPS → Ziren rebrand, @0xLita’s open-sourced Valida, and @ziskvm's integration with Ethproofs.
Valida (by @PlatonicMorgan, @lita_xyz): v0.1.0 released with multi-segment proving and GPU prover development via Nim-to-CUDA. Not yet integrated with Ethproofs.
Pico (by @succinct_li, @brevis_zk): STARK-based zkVM now 2× faster on CPU and up to 20× on GPU vs competitors. Open-sourcing planned post multi-GPU support.
@ethereumfndn: Introduced a new zkEVM client team targeting validator-side ZK clients post-Pectra. Hardware constraints, licensing, and zkVM security standards outlined.
Benchmarking (@ignaciohagopian): Introduced zkVM test frameworks for opcode stress, gas cost linearity, and public proof throughput data.
Security (@codytouchgrass): Focused on underconstrained circuit detection via tools like Pyus (by @VeridiseInc) and circuit analysis for Plonky3.
Website Updates (@eth_proofs): New GitHub issue template, onboarding board, “Coming Soon” tab, and proof speed sorting.
Gigagas Scaling (by @drakefjustin):
- Latency: Same-slot proving, ahead-of-time trace generation, and fast APIs
- Security: Multi-zkVM diversity, slow-fast prover pairing, K-of-N verification
- Liveness: $0.0001/megagas target, proof generation via residential GPU setups
- Roadmap: EIP-4844 → EIP-7594 → EIP-7685 → EIP-7697 → EIP-7730 → EIP-7938
The Ethproofs Call #4 is scheduled for August 2025.
Full report - https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1945445402381054209
We released an ecosystem update on the infrastructure teams building the final leg of the ZK pipeline - verifying proofs. Featuring: @ZKVProtocol, @alignedlayer, @Pi_Squared_Pi2, @NovaNet_zkp, and @alt_layer.
zkVerify
- Tech Update: Released version 0.17.0 with support for SP1 by @SuccinctLabs verifiers, improved compatibility with modern zkVMs: https://blog.zkverify.io/posts/the-big-beautiful-runtime-upgrade-zkverify-version-0-17-0-is-live
- Partnership: Teamed up with @zerobasezk to integrate as a scalable, trustless verification layer. Enables real-time validation (identity checks, AI audits, staking) and connects results across chains: https://x.com/zkvprotocol/st/ZKVProtocol/status/1941875119204487200
- Events: Announced “Verified Hacker House” in Ho Chi Minh City, Aug 4–11, with a hackathon Aug 5–7. $1,750 prize pool, workshops, meals, grants, incubation: https://blog.zkverify.io/posts/verified-zk-hacker-house-before-ethvietnam
Aligned Layer
- Infrastructure Rollout: Launched Ethereum-focused tools (ZK Verification Layer, Rollup‑as‑a‑Service, Meta‑proving). Verification layer is in mainnet beta; aggregation is in testnet: https://x.com/alignedlayer/s/alignedlayer/status/1940056948461945241
- Engineering Updates: Upgraded RISC Zero to v2.1.0, integrated Circom, added proof-of-completion game “Beast ZK” via RISC Zero zkVM, and updated gnark/rapidsnark stack: https://blog.alignedlayer.com/aligned-engineering-updates-june-23rd-27th-2025/
- Partnership: Powering Sovraio’s Digital Trust Stack (8M+ users) across Mexico, Argentina, Colombia—supporting digital identity via Rollup‑/Wallet‑as‑a‑Service and ZK tooling: https://x.com/alignedlayer/s/alignedlayer/status/1939641462024716457
Pi Squared
- FastSet Rollout: Developed FastSet for fast, verifiable claim settlement (identity, payments, proofs) without linear consensus: https://blog.pi2.network/introducing-the-vsl-devnet-a-new-era-of-fast-verifiability/
- Tech Work: Progress on FastSet protocol, cross-chain liquidity MVP, 10% Ethereum speedup via Mint, LLVM callbacks for Reth integration: https://x.com/rosugrigore/st/RosuGrigore/status/1942614199743701485
- Partner Integrations: Working with @rv_inc on formally verified infrastructure using the K Framework—supporting Ethereum, Solana, Stellar: https://x.com/pi_squared_pi2/Pi_Squared_Pi2/status/1937940265244741663
NovaNet
Verifiable Agent Kits: Agents can now transfer USDC via natural-language prompts (with KYC) and trigger multi-proof workflows across Ethereum and Solana (USDC + KYC + location):
- USDC transfers via prompt: https://x.com/novanet_zkp/st/NovaNet_zkp/status/1939769150689485239
- Circle API integration: https://x.com/novanet_zkp/st/NovaNet_zkp/status/1938701560659485029
- Multi-proof support: https://x.com/novanet_zkp/st/NovaNet_zkp/status/1942973361476587716
AltLayer
- Integrated Gattaca-based rollup overlay for Optimism’s OP Stack—enabling pre-confirmations every 200 ms with Ethereum-level security: https://blog.altlayer.io/altlayer-supports-gattacas-based-rollup-stack-0ecca6b298cc
- Full support for Polkadot-native rollups via no-code dashboard and Rollups-as-a-Service: https://blog.altlayer.io/altlayer-now-supports-polkadot-native-rollups-277e0592280f
- Staking Launch: Joined Astar Network’s dApp staking - supporting @soneium’s real-time gaming rollup. Offers sub-second pre-confirmation using ASTR restaked on EigenLayer and ETH: https://x.com/alt_layer/stat/alt_layer/status/1944728758663119033
Full report - https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1946171797872709740
We covered the expanding ZK Privacy ecosystem, tracking protocol integrations, ID verification systems, and new privacy-preserving infrastructure.
The featured projects are working to make verifiable privacy usable across identity, payments, messaging, and decentralized applications: @aztecnetwork, @ZKPassport, @worldcoin, @Zcash, @selfprotocol, @nymproject, @reclaimprotocol, @horizenglobal, @zkemail, @0xHolonym/@HumnPassport, @TACEO_IO
Aztec
- ZKPassport is now helping Aztec protect its testnet against Sybil attacks via on-device ZK verification: https://aztec.network/blog/zkpassport-case-study-a-look-into-online-identity-verification
- Aztec shared a deep dive into its full-stack privacy architecture and evolution since 2017: https://x.com/aztecnetwork/status/1945824934367826400
ZKPassport
- Released a Registry Explorer for reviewing certificate issuance history: https://x.com/ZKPassport/status/1935445932729942119
- Partnered with Aztec to scale validator access: https://aztec.network/blog/zkpassport-case-study-a-look-into-online-identity-verification
Worldcoin
- Launched Priority Blockspace for Humans on mainnet to offer guaranteed throughput for 13M+ verified users: https://world.org/blog/announcements/priority-blockspace-launches-for-13-million-humans-on-world-chain-mainnet
- Released Deep Face Mini App to detect human faces vs. AI: https://x.com/world_chain_/status/1938001529312841876
- Announced partnership with @StoryProtocol for human-authored content protection: https://world.org/blog/announcements/world-and-story-author-the-next-chapter-of-real-human-creativity
Zcash
- Full community and technical updates published in Shielded News Vol. 38: https://zechub.substack.com/p/zcash-shielded-news-vol38
Self Protocol
- Now supports biometric EU ID cards for ZK identity: https://self.xyz/blog/self-now-supports-eu-id-scanning-for-identity-verification
- Partnered with Velodrome for boosted DeFi rewards for verified users: https://self.xyz/blog/velodrome-x-self-boosted-rewards-for-real-humans
- Partnered with Para for seamless in-app identity across chains: https://x.com/selfprotocol/status/1945535256406495697
Nym
- Enabled shielded ZEC payments with BTCPayServer support: https://nym.com/blog/nymvpn-with-zcash
- VPN service now configurable from Unstoppable Domains: https://x.com/nymproject/status/1945353044868173864
Reclaim Protocol
- Shared SDK and extension improvements: https://x.com/madhavanmalolan/status/1943675060985712792
Horizen
- Proposed ZenIP 42411 to manage treasury via privacy-enabled smart vaults: https://x.com/horizenglobal/status/1945202400756949434
zkEmail
- Introduced Email-as-ENS, linking verified emails to Ethereum addresses: https://x.com/zkemail/status/1941165670366130195
Holonym/Human Passport
- Major UX update for Human Passport app and Stamp Cards: https://x.com/HumnPassport/status/1943384387258810724
TACEO
- Published a technical article on privacy-compliant KYC via MPC and Private Shared State: https://core.taceo.io/articles/mpc-kyc/
Full report: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1945779169469546854
We rounded up the most recent research from the Cryptology ePrint Archive, focused on ZK, cryptographic scalability, identity, and quantum resistance. Topics include ZK-verified AI inference, threshold ring signatures, private coins, and scalable SNARKs.
zkGPT: An Efficient Non-interactive Zero-knowledge Proof Framework for LLM Inference: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1184
zkGPT proves inference correctness of GPT models without revealing internal model weights. Uses "constraint fusion" and "circuit squeeze" to reduce proving overhead. Achieves 185× speedup over prior systems, generating GPT-2 proofs in under 25 seconds.
Private Coins Extension with Verifiable Encryption: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1194
A protocol enabling encrypted coin values to be decrypted and verified privately via zero-knowledge proofs and Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Designed for privacy-preserving financial systems and verifiable hidden amounts.
Generic Construction of Threshold Ring Signatures and Lattice-based Instantiations: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1205
Introduces GC-TRS, a threshold ring signature framework allowing anonymous “t-of-n” signing. Includes lattice-based implementations (LTRS, CTRS), with CTRS achieving logarithmic-size signatures in the number of signers.
Hobbit: Space-Efficient zkSNARK with Optimal Prover Time: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1214
A zkSNARK that minimizes prover memory while preserving linear-time execution. Transparent, plausibly post-quantum secure, and avoids elliptic curve cryptography. Based on a novel polynomial commitment scheme and sumcheck protocol.
Ring-LWR-based Commitments and ZK-PoKs for Verifiable Quantum-Safe Searchable Encryption: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1216
Introduces RLWR-based commitments and ZK protocols. Applied to private searchable encryption with strong post-quantum properties and low overhead.
Efficiently Parsing Existing eID Documents for Zero-Knowledge Proofs: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1266
Focuses on extracting verifiable claims (e.g. age) from Belgian eID cards using ZKPs, without revealing other personal data. Designed for privacy-focused ID systems using existing credentials.
Applications of Zero-Knowledge Proofs on Bitcoin: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1271
Three use cases for ZK on Bitcoin: proof of reserves, succinct blockchain validation for light clients, and private rollups via BitVM. Emphasizes scalability and privacy without core protocol changes.
On Weak NIZKs, One-way Functions and Amplification: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1276
Explores weak NIZKs and shows they imply the existence of one-way functions. Offers minimal assumptions for bootstrapping stronger cryptographic primitives.
FRIttata: Distributed Proof Generation of FRI-based SNARKs: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1285
Presents FRIttata, a horizontally scalable SNARK using a FRI-based commitment scheme. Eliminates trusted setup, preserves ZK, and optimizes communication via a "Fold-and-Batch" protocol.
Gödel in Cryptography: Effectively ZK Proofs for NP with No Interaction, No Setup, and Perfect Soundness: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1296
Proposes a new ZK model based on logical unprovability, enabling perfectly sound proofs with no setup or interaction. Breaks past assumptions about the limits of zero-knowledge under minimal complexity constraints.
We announced our next in-person developer gathering - set for July 23rd, from 2–5pm at @FrontierTower SF, as part of Crypto Summit Week: https://lu.ma/hozksanfrancisco
Rather than another panel-heavy event, this one’s structured for hands-on participation:
- Technical workshops led by protocol teams
- Deep dives into developer tooling
- Open floor conversations on how to build with and extend ZK
Confirmed contributors include @SuccinctLabs, @TheProofLab, @ProjectZKM, @0xLita, and @GOATRollup.
If you're local to SF or already in town for the week, we'd love to see you there.
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