跨链赛道冉冉新星:Polyhedra Network
跨链赛道冉冉新星:Polyhedra Network
A rising star in the cross-chain track: Polyhedra Network
1.引言 | Prolegomenon
每一轮牛市都有它独特的浪潮，从之前的Defi之夏到NFT再到链游，每一次的叙事更新都必然伴随着一堆抓住机会的弄潮儿的暴富之旅，回想前几轮叙事，那时候真的是只需要一头栽进这一个赛道，随便冲什么，都能涨，随便买什么，都是赚。
而现在，正值这一轮牛市伊始，会涌现什么新的叙事我们暂且还没有窥见端倪，但有些事情其实早就已经暗流涌动，那便是牛市中疯狂出现的新公链，层出不穷的新公链的诞生，必然就会迫使跨链需求的巨额增幅，以及这个赛道的基础设施完善。任谁也不想还没有进行任何投资活动之前，就先要付出一笔昂贵的跨链费用。
所以，我们今天就来研究一下这个在跨链赛道冉冉升起的新星：Polyhedra。
Each bull market has its own unique wave, from the summer of DeFi to NFTs and blockchain gaming. Every narrative update inevitably brings a journey of fortune for those who seize the opportunity. Reflecting on previous rounds, it truly felt like diving headfirst into any one of these tracks was a surefire way to profit, with any purchase leading to gains.
Now, as we stand at the onset of this new bull market, the emerging narratives are still unclear. However, certain trends have already begun to surface, notably the surge of new public blockchains. The proliferation of these new chains will inevitably drive a massive increase in cross-chain demand and necessitate the enhancement of the related infrastructure. No one wants to incur hefty cross-chain fees before even engaging in any investment activities.
Therefore, today we will delve into the rising star in the cross-chain sector: Polyhedra.
2.发展背景 | Development Background
我们知道，互联网、区块链和 Metaverse 都需要互联互通，然而今天的多链世界却充满了孤岛，流动性和数据可用性正变得越来越割裂。
所以，跨链赛道应运而生，并且以一种很惊人的趋势缓慢但却坚定地上涨着。而在这个牛市中，对跨链的需求，也不仅仅之前的资产转移，还包括消息传递、数据共享、多链部署、以及流动性共享等等。
而如今纵观所有跨链赛道的项目，在ZK这个领域，无论是zkRollup 还是 zkEVM/zkVM，都是专注于可扩展性，ZK 的互操作性被忽略了。因此，与 Starkware、Zksync 等专注于 ZK 可扩展性的项目相比，Polyhedra Network 是一个 ZK 全栈六边形选手，设计并实现了基于 ZK 的互操作性系统 zkBridge，其研发的 ZKP 协议也可以提升现有 zkRollup 系统的效率，兼顾了 ZK 互操作性与 ZK 可扩展性。
简洁概括一下就是，Polyhedra Network是旨在构建下一代 Web3 互操作性和可扩展性基础设施，核心依托于先进的零知识证明（Zero-Knowledge Proof, ZKP）技术。通过提供可信最小化且高效的互操作解决方案。
The Internet, blockchain, and the Metaverse all necessitate interconnectivity. However, today's multi-chain world is rife with isolated islands, with liquidity and data availability becoming increasingly fragmented.
Thus, the cross-chain sector has emerged, gradually yet steadily rising in prominence with a remarkable trend. In this bull market, the demand for cross-chain solutions extends beyond mere asset transfers to encompass messaging, data sharing, multi-chain deployment, and liquidity sharing.
Currently, across all cross-chain projects, those in the ZK domain, whether zkRollup or zkEVM/zkVM, focus on scalability, often overlooking ZK interoperability. Therefore, unlike projects such as Starkware and Zksync that emphasize ZK scalability, Polyhedra Network is a comprehensive ZK stack player. It has designed and implemented a ZK-based interoperability system, zkBridge. The ZKP protocol developed by Polyhedra Network also enhances the efficiency of existing zkRollup systems, balancing both ZK interoperability and ZK scalability.
In summary, Polyhedra Network aims to build the next-generation Web3 interoperability and scalability infrastructure, fundamentally relying on advanced Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, offering trust-minimized and highly efficient interoperability solutions.
3.技术堆栈 | Technology Stack
3.1.ZK算法 | ZK Algorithm
在Polyhedra众多产品中，被称为旗舰的代表必然是zkBridge，它可以说是彻底改变了区块链的互操作方式，不仅简化了传统金融机构开发 Web2 与 Web3 互通应用的流程，而且促进了实物资产在不同网络间的自由流动。使得web2和web3之间可以进行无缝连接。与此同时。zkBridge 安全、快速，无需第三方信任即可运作。
而在强大功能的背后，一定是有非常强劲的技术支持，zkBridge 的技术核心是 deVirgo 算法。deVirgo 算法通过并行计算和递归证明，缩短了证明生成时间并且减少了 ZKP 的证明大小，从而实现零知识证明成本的降低和速度的提升。直观地说，deVirgo 算法可以实现 10 秒内生成以太坊全节点证明，官方实际测试中 zkBridge 可以在 12 秒内生成以太坊全节点的证明并在 BNB 链和其他网络上验证区块头。这样的性能可以说是非常令人震惊的。
除了deVirgo 算法之外，Polyhedra还研究并且利用了诸如Libra、Virgo、deVirgo、Pianist、Marlin、Gemini 和 Orion这些算法，可以说是把行业提升到了一个新的标准，提供了最快的证明者时间、显著减小的证明大小和最小化的链上验证成本。
这也最终成就了Polyhedra优势的最核心部分。
Among Polyhedra's numerous products, the flagship is undoubtedly zkBridge. It has revolutionized blockchain interoperability, simplifying the development process for traditional financial institutions creating applications that bridge Web2 and Web3. Moreover, it facilitates the free flow of physical assets across different networks, enabling seamless connectivity between Web2 and Web3. Furthermore, zkBridge operates securely and swiftly without the need for third-party trust.
Behind its powerful capabilities lies robust technical support, with the core technology of zkBridge being the deVirgo algorithm. The deVirgo algorithm leverages parallel computation and recursive proofs to reduce proof generation time and decrease the size of ZKP proofs. This reduces the cost and increases the speed of zero-knowledge proofs. To put it simply, the deVirgo algorithm can generate a full Ethereum node proof in under 10 seconds. In official tests, zkBridge could generate a full Ethereum node proof in 12 seconds and verify block headers on the BNB chain and other networks. Such performance is truly remarkable.
In addition to the deVirgo algorithm, Polyhedra has researched and utilized algorithms such as Libra, Virgo, deVirgo, Pianist, Marlin, Gemini, and Orion. These advancements have set a new industry standard, providing the fastest prover times, significantly reduced proof sizes, and minimized on-chain verification costs.
This ultimately constitutes the core of Polyhedra's competitive advantage.
3.2 ZK可扩展性与ZK 互操作性 | ZK Scalability and ZK Interoperability
在可拓展性方面，Polyhedra实现了基于 ParaPlonk 的 zk 可扩展性，ParaPlonk 协议是一系列基于 Segregation-friendly 和简明证明技术的新一代 ZKP 协议。
通过 ParaPlonk 协议，集群中的节点能够像加入矿池一样，共同生成零知识证明（ZKP）。这种方式使得每个节点只需处理极少量的广播和通信数据，从而显著提高了效率。ParaPlonk 协议是 Plonk 的通用版本，兼容 Plonk，但在设计上进行了优化，大幅减少了分布式 Plonk 节点间的通信开销，保留了 Plonk 所有的优势。因此，任何基于 Plonk 的证明系统都可以通过最小的修改无缝迁移到 ParaPlonk。
ParaPlonk 协议的设计不仅仅局限于 Plonk，它还可以兼容其他零知识证明系统，如 Marlin 和 Gemini。这意味着 ParaPlonk 具有极大的灵活性和适应性，能够在各种不同的零知识证明系统中发挥作用。通过这种协议，分布式系统中的节点可以更高效地协同工作，生成所需的证明，同时保持高水平的安全性和隐私保护。
ParaPlonk 的出现，标志着零知识证明技术在分布式系统中的应用迈出了重要的一步。它不仅减少了节点间的通信负担，还为现有的 Plonk 系统提供了一种更高效、更灵活的解决方案。未来，随着更多零知识证明系统的出现和发展，ParaPlonk 的兼容性和通用性将使其成为分布式证明生成的一个重要工具，为广泛的应用场景提供支持。
在互操作性方面，PolyHedra Network 实现了行业顶级的分布式 ZK 协议 deVirgo（详见3.1），并用以实现了 zkBridge 和 ZKDID，为 Web3 提供无需信任且高效的互操作基础设施，在zkbridge中已经集成了ETH、BNB、USDT 三种资产的跨链，支持的区块链有以太坊、BNB Chain、Polygon、Linea、Base、Mantle、opBNB、Optimism、Scroll、Arbitrum One等等，支持的钱包也有 Metamask、Binance Web3 Wallet、Trust Wallet、OKX Wallet、Coinbase Wallet、Bitget Wallet 和 Unstoppable Domains 等。
这些成就足以证明它的互操作性之强大。
In terms of scalability, Polyhedra has implemented zk scalability based on ParaPlonk. The ParaPlonk protocol is a next-generation ZKP protocol built on Segregation-friendly and succinct proof technologies.
Through the ParaPlonk protocol, nodes within a cluster can collaboratively generate zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), similar to how participants join a mining pool. This method allows each node to handle minimal broadcasting and communication data, significantly improving efficiency. ParaPlonk is a generalized version of Plonk, compatible with Plonk but optimized in design to greatly reduce communication overhead among distributed Plonk nodes, while retaining all of Plonk's advantages. Thus, any Plonk-based proof system can seamlessly migrate to ParaPlonk with minimal modifications.
The design of the ParaPlonk protocol is not limited to Plonk; it is also compatible with other zero-knowledge proof systems such as Marlin and Gemini. This means ParaPlonk offers tremendous flexibility and adaptability, functioning effectively across various zero-knowledge proof systems. Through this protocol, nodes in distributed systems can work more efficiently together to generate the required proofs, while maintaining a high level of security and privacy protection.
The emergence of ParaPlonk represents a significant advancement in the application of zero-knowledge proof technology in distributed systems. It not only reduces communication burdens among nodes but also provides a more efficient and flexible solution for existing Plonk systems. As more zero-knowledge proof systems emerge and evolve, ParaPlonk’s compatibility and versatility will make it a crucial tool for distributed proof generation, supporting a wide range of application scenarios.
In terms of interoperability, Polyhedra Network has implemented the industry-leading distributed ZK protocol deVirgo (see Section 3.1) and used it to power zkBridge and ZKDID, providing a trustless and efficient interoperability infrastructure for Web3. zkBridge has integrated cross-chain support for ETH, BNB, and USDT assets, supporting blockchains including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Linea, Base, Mantle, opBNB, Optimism, Scroll, Arbitrum One, among others. Supported wallets include Metamask, Binance Web3 Wallet, Trust Wallet, OKX Wallet, Coinbase Wallet, Bitget Wallet, and Unstoppable Domains.
These achievements demonstrate its powerful interoperability.
3.3与btc链的跨链消息传递 | Cross-chain messaging with the BTC chain
很长时间以来，BTC链因为其高昂的花费以及与evm系列并不一致的构造，使得它一直处于一种高高在上的贵族地位，与其他链的消息传递肉眼可见的很少，但是市场明显对这一块的需求在增长，因此Polyhedra在解决这一个问题上也拥有自己的独特方案。
Polyhedra提出的比特币消息传递协议分为两种情况，第一种，如果比特币链作为发送者链，那么就能够与当前的 zkBridge 框架完全兼容。
zkBridge在接收链（例如ETH）上的更新合约能够直接验证比特币的共识，以及通过验证***Merkle证明（注1）***来验证比特币上的每一笔交易。这种兼容性确保了比特币上的共识证明和交易 Merkle 证明都可以通过 zkBridge 得到全面保护。
第二种情况，如果BTC链是接收链，因为BTC链是不存在智能合约的，所以采用的方案是POS机制，即让验证者质押发送链的原生代币。如果发送者链是Ethereum，验证需要抵押ETH。被授权在比特币网络上写入数据，采用多方计算（MPC）协议确保发送的正确消息达成共识。
目前，与btc链的消息传递已经支持了Ordinals, BRC-20, and Atomicals。使用Polyhedra的项目包括Atomicals Market、Babylon、Bitmap、B2Network、Eigenlayer等等。
For a long time, the Bitcoin chain has maintained an elevated status due to its high costs and architecture that is inconsistent with EVM chains. Consequently, message exchanges with other chains have been visibly scarce. However, there is a growing market demand for this capability, and Polyhedra has developed its own unique solution to address this issue.
Polyhedra proposes a Bitcoin messaging protocol with two distinct scenarios. The first scenario occurs when the Bitcoin chain acts as the sending chain, which can be fully compatible with the current zkBridge framework.
In this setup, the zkBridge framework on the receiving chain (e.g., Ethereum) can directly verify Bitcoin’s consensus and validate each transaction on Bitcoin through Merkle proofs (Note 1). This compatibility ensures that both Bitcoin's consensus proofs and transaction Merkle proofs are comprehensively protected through zkBridge.
The second scenario arises when the BTC chain serves as the receiving chain. Given that the Bitcoin chain lacks smart contracts, the proposed solution is a Proof-of-Stake (POS) mechanism, which involves validators staking the native tokens of the sending chain. If the sending chain is Ethereum, validators must stake ETH. This authorization to write data onto the Bitcoin network is achieved using Multi-Party Computation (MPC) protocols to ensure consensus on the accuracy of the transmitted messages.
Currently, messaging with the BTC chain supports Ordinals, BRC-20, and Atomicals. Projects utilizing Polyhedra’s solutions include Atomicals Market, Babylon, Bitmap, B2Network, Eigenlayer, and more.
注1：
Merkle 证明（Merkle Proof）：Merkle 证明是利用 Merkle 树进行数据验证的一种技术。Merkle 树是一种哈希树结构，用于快速、有效地验证大规模数据集的完整性和一致性。Merkle 证明则是通过提供树中某个数据元素的验证路径，证明该元素是包含在树中的。
Note 1:
Merkle Proof: A Merkle proof is a technique for data verification that utilizes a Merkle tree. A Merkle tree is a hash tree structure used to efficiently and quickly verify the integrity and consistency of large datasets. A Merkle proof provides a verification path for a specific data element within the tree, proving that the element is included in the tree.
4.总结 | summary
PolyHedra在ZKP证明机制上非常有创造力，总结起来就是通过分布式的方式来更快地生成SNARK证明，然后基于此去开发zk全栈项目，进而实现Web2和Web3世界的互通互联。
目前，Polyhedra 在技术和产品方面基本已经成熟并且落地，已经推出了 7 大零知识证明（ZKPs）算法。其核心的 zkBridge 已经推出近 1 年时间，目前看来运行也是比较稳定的。
核心数据包括：
- 跨链转账数量高达2000万。
- 验证了4000万个证明**。**
- 连接了25个以上的公链。
- 拥有最快的零知识证明(ZK)算法。
- 拥有最快的共识证明。
Polyhedra 的代币符号是 ZKJ，目前已经在 OKX, Bybit, Kucoin, Bitget, Bitmart 等各大交易所上线，空投也已经发放，但是对于持有者与质押者的福利仍旧异常丰厚，对于社区的支持力度也非常的大，可以说是一个很不错也和有发展潜力的项目了。
未来想要实现web2和web3互通互联的伟大愿景，还需要与我们共同执手，一起努力走向辉煌。
Polyhedra demonstrates significant creativity in ZKP (Zero-Knowledge Proof) mechanisms by utilizing a distributed approach to accelerate the generation of SNARK proofs, which in turn supports the development of zk-full-stack projects for achieving interoperability between Web2 and Web3 worlds.
Currently, Polyhedra’s technology and products are well-established and operational, having launched 7 major ZKP algorithms. Its core product, zkBridge, has been operational for nearly a year and appears to be running quite stably.
Key metrics include:
- Cross-chain transfer volume has reached 20 million.
- Verified 40 million proofs.
- Connected over 25 public blockchains.
- Offers the fastest Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) algorithms.
- Provides the fastest consensus proofs.
Polyhedra’s token symbol is ZKJ, which is now listed on major exchanges such as OKX, Bybit, Kucoin, Bitget, and Bitmart. The airdrop has been distributed, and substantial benefits are available for holders and stakers. The project also shows considerable community support and has significant development potential.
To realize the grand vision of Web2 and Web3 interoperability, collaboration and joint effort are essential as we move towards a promising future.
5.引用和链接 | References and links
2.Polyhedra, a cross-chain giant based on ZK technology
4.「CN」ABCDE: Why did we lead the investment in Polyhedra Network?
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