a16z Crypto releases Jolt ‘zkVM’ to help scale chains with ZK proofs

A16z Crypto, the cryptocurrency-focused division of venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, has released Jolt, a zero-knowledge solution it calls a “zkVM,” with the aim of accelerating and streamlining blockchain scaling operations.

At the core of Jolt is the integration of a type of zero-knowledge proof called SNARKs (Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge), which enable scalable ZK rollups in Layer 2 space.

Jolt is described as a new method of building virtual machines proven through SNARKs. This could allow developers to create fast SNARK-based Layer 2 solutions, the company said.

The team says Jolt is “up to 2x faster” than current zkVMs.

“But beyond just the speed improvement, because Jolt is based on a new design paradigm, it is easier for developers to extend and also much easier to control, leading to greater security,” the company said.

Jolt uses SNARKs

SNARK-based solutions ensure that blockchains can take over a large part of the computing work. This technology ensures that calculations are quickly compressed and verified, without the verifier having to perform the calculations themselves.

Jolt teams up with Lasso, who is a “lookup argument,” resulting in a fast proof system for rollups.

Such a mechanism is crucial for improving the scalability of blockchain applications, as it facilitates the execution of complex off-chain operations while maintaining on-chain verification. This includes potential use cases in Layer 2 blockchains, cross-chain bridges, and other areas where efficient, verifiable computing is critical.