SEASON 2 MODULE 4
RISC-V ZKVMs w/ Uma Roy
In this module, Tracy Livengood and Uma Roy guide us through the core components of ZKVMs, including execution emulation, proof generation, lookups and memory handling, while also discussing practical aspects such as precompiles, long-running program execution, and on-chain verification. They conclude this module with an analysis of real-world ZKVM applications and their associated tradeoffs.
What you’ll learn:
- 00:00 – Intro to ZKVMs and overview of the core pieces
- 06:30 – Execution emulator for the ELF file instructions
- 11:38 – Sketching the proof of execution
- 16:12 – The proof stack in more details
- 22:50 – How lookups are used
- 28:37 – Memory argument considerations
- 39:38 – Precompiles (aka accelerators or coprocessors)
- 46:17 – Long-running programs
- 53:39 – On-chain verification (STARK to SNARK)
- 58:10 – ZKVMs use-cases and tradeoffs
Below is an accompanying reading list:
- RISC-V definition – Wikipedia.
- Circuit definition – ZK Jargon Decoder.
- Demystifying the ELF Format: Unveiling the Secrets of Binary Executables, by Razika Bengana, 2023.
- Plonky2: Fast Recursive Arguments with PLONK and FRI, by Polygon Zero Team, 2022.
- RISC Zero zkVM: Scalable, Transparent Arguments of RISC-V Integrity, by Jeremy Bruestle, Paul Gafni and the RISC Zero team, 2023.
ZK Whiteboard Sessions is an educational series on all things zero knowledge. Presented by ZK Hack.
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