Blockchain technology has revolutionized many industries, from financial markets to gaming.  However, this web3 revolution is dependent on significant computational resources, making scalability a persistent challenge. This is especially true for Ethereum, the leading platform for decentralized applications (dapps). zkEVMs have been introduced as a solution that aims to tackle these scalability issues while upholding Ethereum's security and decentralization.

Launched in 2023 by Consensys, Linea is one of these zkEVMs. As a Type 2 zkEVM, Linea aims to maintain near-complete compatibility with existing Ethereum infrastructure while significantly improving transaction speed and reducing costs. This development is crucial as it enables developers to utilize their existing knowledge and tools while benefiting from enhanced scalability.

The significance of Linea and other zkEVMs cannot be overstated. They represent a possible turning point in blockchain technology, offering a path to mainstream adoption by addressing the long-standing issues of high gas fees and network congestion. By facilitating faster, more affordable transactions without compromising on security or decentralization, Linea and similar zkEVMs are helping to open up new possibilities for blockchain apps and services.

Two Concepts to Prime Your Reading

Before we go on, here are two important applications you should know to understand Linea’s prover.

1. A zkEVM (zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine) is a type of Ethereum Virtual Machine that incorporates zero-knowledge proof technology. It enables the execution of smart contracts in a way that leverages the privacy and scalability benefits of zero-knowledge proofs. zkEVMs, like Linea, work by allowing the execution of Ethereum smart contracts and generating a zero-knowledge proof of the computation. This proof can then be verified quickly and efficiently by other nodes, without needing to re-execute the smart contract.

2. A SNARK (Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge) is a type of zero-knowledge proof that allows one party (the prover) to demonstrate to another party (the verifier) that a statement is true. SNARKs are characterized by their succinctness, meaning that the proof is very short and can be verified quickly, regardless of the complexity of the statement being proven. This makes SNARKs particularly useful in scenarios where efficiency and scalability are important, such as blockchain applications. Unlike some other zero-knowledge proofs, SNARKs may not emphasize privacy in the same way, but they still ensure that the verifier learns nothing beyond the validity of the statement.

Linea: Type 2 zkEVM

Linea is a Type 2 zkEVM, which means it is designed to be almost fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This allows developers to easily move their existing Ethereum applications to Linea without making major changes to their code.

In Linea, transactions are carried out on its own network, where it creates cryptographic proofs using SNARKs – see definition above! These proofs act as a compact representation of the transactions, enabling quick and efficient verification.

Once generated, the proofs are sent to the Ethereum network, where they can be verified quickly and inexpensively without re-executing the entire set of transactions. This approach not only maintains compatibility with Ethereum but also significantly reduces the cost and time needed to process transactions, improving scalability and efficiency.

Linea Prover's Pipeline

The process used by Linea to create secure and verifiable proofs for transactions begins with a step called "arithmetization," where the transaction data is transformed into a mathematical format that can be easily processed. Next, this data passes through two important stages: Arcane and Vortex.

Arcane initially prepares the data for proof creation. The process alternates between Arcane and Vortex, refining the data as needed. This iterative cycle continues until the data is ready for the final transformation. Ultimately, after passing through Vortex, the data is converted into an 'outer-proof,' which is a final, secure proof that can be quickly verified on the Ethereum network without needing to re-execute all the transactions.

Vortex: The Inner-Proof System

Vortex is an in-house proof system developed by Linea’s team, which allows them to tailor the system specifically for the needs of their zkEVM. It plays a key role in the prover's pipeline by handling the creation of cryptographic proofs.

Vortex uses a special kind of cryptography called lattice-cryptography, which is faster than traditional methods. It also incorporates the latest advances in cryptography, making it highly efficient at processing complex computations.

Lattice-based cryptography is gaining attention for its stronger security against future threats like quantum computers and its efficiency, making it a promising alternative to the widely used elliptic curve cryptography. While elliptic curve cryptography is trusted and secure today, lattice-based methods offer better protection against evolving technologies.

Additionally, Vortex is optimized for recursion, meaning it can handle tasks that need to be repeated or refined multiple times. This system was developed with community input, ensuring it is both trustworthy and perfectly suited for Linea's needs.

Linea’s Approach to Scalable Zero-Knowledge Technology

Linea’s software, which includes the Vortex Prover, is designed to handle a large number of transactions efficiently. This is known as hyperscalability. Here’s how it works:

• Efficient Proof Compression: The Vortex Prover uses self-recursion to compress proofs, making them smaller and faster to verify. This is like compressing a large file into a tiny zip file without losing any data.

• Compatibility with Ethereum: After compressing the proof, the final step involves creating a very small proof that can be easily verified on the Ethereum blockchain. This ensures that the system can handle many transactions quickly and securely.

Vortex represents a significant advancement in zero-knowledge proof technology. By leveraging lattice-based cryptography and error-correcting codes, it offers a powerful, efficient, and quantum-resistant proving system. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, systems like Vortex will play a crucial role in enabling scalable and secure decentralized applications.

Stay Tuned For Part II

Linea and its innovative zkEVM technology can help to solve the scalability issues that Ethereum and other blockchain platforms face. By combining zero-knowledge proofs with compatibility and efficiency, Linea provides a promising solution for the future of decentralized applications.

As we continue to explore and develop these technologies, it becomes increasingly clear that blockchain has the potential to revolutionize industries and drive innovation.

In the next article in our Developer series, we will dive into more detail about how the Linea prover works in depth. Stay tuned and subscribe to Linea on Mirror for more coverage.