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A groundbreaking technology known as zero-knowledge proof (ZK-proof) is poised to enhance access and validation of historical data on the Ethereum blockchain. The network has encountered challenges related to deep chain validation, which have been a hindrance to its usability.
Herodotus, a technology company, has introduced an on-chain accumulator that utilizes storage-proof cryptography, enabling users to independently verify data from any point within Ethereum's blockchain without relying on a third party. This innovative solution leverages StarkWare's STARK proofs, a ZK-proof technology co-invented by mathematician Eli Ben-Sasson.
StarkWare provided Herodotus with a customized version of its shared prover service, SHARP, which offers advanced scaling efficiency through recursive proofs. This unique approach allows a virtual machine to generate "proofs of proofs" by concurrently producing proofs for transactions or blocks in real-time and then consolidating them into subsequent proofs.
At a more technical level, the accumulator functions as a cache that stores block headers. If the accumulator already contains a specific header in its cache, the corresponding storage-proof computation can utilize it for validation. However, if the header is not cached, the prover must generate a proof covering the requested block range, add the block header to the accumulator, and complete the storage proof computation.
As the name suggests, the on-chain accumulator effectively accumulates proofs, simplifying the process of verifying the Ethereum blockchain and its associated data at any point in the network's history. Marcello Bardus, the Chief Technology Officer of Herodotus, emphasizes that this technology eliminates the need to traverse the entire blockchain on the blockchain itself, making the process more efficient.
StarkWare points out that storage proofs have the potential to revolutionize cross-chain bridges by providing an alternative to third-party oracles for tracking and verifying data. Kacper Koziol, co-founder of Herodotus, views the accumulator as a much-needed innovation for Ethereum, aligning with blockchain principles of transparency and accessibility. It will empower users to access any historical data point on Ethereum, marking a significant advancement.
"This will be very powerful. For the first time in the history of blockchains, people are going to be able to prove the correctness of any aspect of anyone’s on-chain information," Koziol commented.
Both teams envision storage proofs opening the door to "Web2 equivalent applications," enabling autonomous access and verification of Ethereum blockchain data. Possible use cases include account recovery, where on-chain data verification could trigger actions such as a "dead man's switch" or automate insurance protocols based on historical on-chain events for smart contract payouts.
In summary, this ZK-proof technology represents a major step forward in enhancing Ethereum's transparency and accessibility, allowing users to validate data from its entire history independently. It has the potential to drive innovation in various applications within the blockchain ecosystem.
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