In the recent Ream developers call, Jun Song (@syjn99) introduced the concept of zkVM, discussing its key components, including compilers, provers, and verifiers, while underscoring the importance of understanding its architecture and instruction set. The team explored the current market landscape for zkVMs, with RISC-V emerging as a leading architecture, and emphasized the necessity for performance benchmarks. Further discussions delved into the implementation details, particularly focusing on the performance of SP1 and RISC0, alongside insights on verification processes and efficient hashing. The role of zkVM in consensus mechanisms was also addressed, highlighting the need for lightweight validation. Moving forward, participants planned the next meeting to center on Winternitz and the importance of documentation, while concerns about project dependencies and licensing were discussed, ensuring most are under permissive licenses. Action items included sharing research resources, preparing presentations, and coordinating future meeting logistics.
- Jun Song (@syjn99) introduces the concept of zkVM and its components: compilers, provers, and verifiers.
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding the architecture and instruction set for zkVM.
- Study notes by Jun Song (@syjn99) avaliable at https://syjn99.notion.site/zkVM-Overview-15db0eff65f8801e880ee9ac70b49b9e?pvs=4
- Discussion on various teams developing their own zkVMs, highlighting RISC-V as a dominant architecture.
- Mention of benchmarks and the importance of evaluating zkVM performance.
- Jun Song (@syjn99) discusses the performance benchmarks of different zkVMs, particularly focusing on SP1 and RISC0.
- Justin Drake (@JustinDrake) adds insights on verifying Winternitz and the need for efficient hashing in zkVMs.
- Discussion on the role of zkVM in consensus mechanisms and the separation of proving and verifying roles.
- Justin Drake (@JustinDrake) emphasizes the need for a lightweight validator and the potential for a prover role.
- Plans for the next meeting to focus on Winternitz and the preparation of relevant materials.
- Discussion on the importance of documentation and code quality for zkVMs.
- Philipp Muens (@pmuens) raises concerns about dependencies on zkVM projects and their licensing.
- Justin Drake (@JustinDrake) reassures that most zkVMs are under permissive licenses and emphasizes client diversity.
- Participants agree on the next meeting date and topics to be discussed.
- Justin Drake (@JustinDrake) shares resources for the Zeam team's call.
- Philipp Muens (@pmuens) prepare a presentation on Winternitz for the next meeting at 2:30 GME Monday 23