What is zkVerify (VFY)?

What is zkVerify?

(Source: ZKVProtocol)

zkVerify (VFY) is a public blockchain dedicated to zero-knowledge (ZK) proof verification. It aims to provide developers worldwide with an efficient, modular, and composable infrastructure for ZK application verification. Unlike other general-purpose public chains, zkVerify does not focus on transaction execution or contract computation. Instead, it specializes in Proof Verification, enabling various ZK systems to achieve trusted verification at lower costs and higher speeds, with results permanently recorded on-chain.

zkVerify is the verification engine of the ZK ecosystem: it receives externally generated zero-knowledge proofs, carries out the verification process, and writes the results to the blockchain, becoming a traceable and auditable data source.

Project Vision and Objectives

zkVerify’s vision is clear: “To become the trusted verification layer for global ZK applications and drive mass adoption of zero-knowledge technology.” Its core objectives are:

• Reduce verification costs: Minimize high gas consumption for ZK proof verification on L1 chains like Ethereum.
• Enhance composability: Offer standardized verification modules for various ZK systems (e.g., SNARK, STARK).
• Ensure decentralization and auditability: All verification and aggregation results are finalized by zkVerify chain consensus and stored permanently.

This positions zkVerify as the settlement and attestation layer for the ZK ecosystem, ensuring computational accuracy and security without exposing underlying data.

Why is zkVerify Needed?

1. High Verification Costs

Currently, verifying a ZK proof on Ethereum costs an average of $20–$60 in gas fees (approximately 200,000–300,000 gas), with significant fluctuations during network congestion. By 2028, verification expenses in the ZK ecosystem are projected to exceed $1.5 billion. zkVerify offloads verification from the main chain to a dedicated verification layer, significantly reducing costs and stabilizing fee volatility.

1. STARK Proof Compatibility Issues

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is highly inefficient at verifying STARK proofs, forcing many projects to “wrap” proofs into SNARK (groth16) format for compatibility—causing delays and extra computation. zkVerify supports native STARK verification, allowing developers to submit and verify directly on zkVerify without conversion or wrapping, streamlining the entire process.

Technical Architecture and Workflow

zkVerify employs a modular design, breaking the verification process into several key stages:

1. Proof Generation

Any zk application (such as zkRollup, privacy voting system, or blockchain game) generates the corresponding zero-knowledge proof after computation.

1. Verify and Store Proof

The application submits the proof to the zkVerify network via RPC; nodes perform initial verification and include it in proposed blocks. Upon reaching consensus, the proof and verification results are written on-chain and permanently stored.

1. Relay Proof Aggregation

The system periodically aggregates multiple verification results, generating a cryptographic digest (Aggregation ID) using a Merkle Tree structure,

enabling upper-layer applications (like L1 smart contracts) to quickly confirm that specific proofs have been verified without redundant computation.

1. Update State

ZK applications can use callbacks or query zkVerify smart contracts to trigger subsequent state updates or settlement actions, such as rollup state updates or game result reveals.

This architecture makes zkVerify the foundational “verification layer” for the ZK ecosystem, allowing upper-layer applications to focus solely on business logic while delegating verification to zkVerify.

Underlying Technical Framework

zkVerify is built on the Substrate modular framework, a choice that ensures both flexibility and performance. Key advantages include:

• Modularity: Developers can quickly build custom logic as needed.
• Upgradability: WASM runtime enables automatic distribution and node upgrades without hard forks.
• Performance & Robustness: Rust implementation ensures high efficiency and security, with support for state pruning and erasure coding.
• Consensus Mechanism: Combines BABE (block production) and GRANDPA (finality) for high availability and rapid finality.

Leveraging the technical foundation of the Polkadot ecosystem and its extensive open-source community, zkVerify maintains decentralization while ensuring long-term maintainability and scalability.

Core Value: The Trusted Verification Layer for the ZK Ecosystem

zkVerify’s role is well-defined: it does not compete with traditional L1/L2 networks, but serves as the public verification layer for all ZK applications.

This ZK as a Service model enables developers to focus on innovation without facing high verification costs or compatibility challenges. Its principal values include:

• Providing trusted verification services for zkRollups, ZK-ID, ZK-Gaming, and other applications;
• Lowering development barriers and costs, promoting commercial adoption of ZK technology;
• Decentralized recording, aggregation, and verification of all ZK proofs, ensuring transparency and auditability.

VFY Tokenomics

VFY is the core utility token of the zkVerify network, serving as the medium for payments, governance, and incentives. Token name: zkVerify (VFY), maximum supply: 1,000,000,000 VFY.

Token Utility

1. Transaction and Verification Fees:

• Users pay network fees in VFY to submit and verify ZK proofs.
• Validator and service nodes stake VFY to perform tasks and receive corresponding rewards.

2. Governance and Decision-Making Participation:

• VFY holders vote on protocol upgrades, parameter changes, and incentive policies.

3. Ecosystem Incentives and Developer Rewards:

• Rewards for developers, testnet participants, and ecosystem partners to encourage ongoing development of zkVerify’s ecosystem.

Token Distribution Structure

zkVerify employs a long-term distribution model, balancing community growth with protocol governance sustainability:

• 37.31% — Community: For airdrops, liquidity rewards, and ecosystem promotion, incentivizing early and long-term contributors.
• 33.06% — Foundation: Supports ongoing protocol development, research, and ecosystem partnerships, ensuring long-term stability.
• 19.63% — Core Contributors: Rewards technical teams and infrastructure developers, with long-term vesting and linear release mechanisms.
• 10% — Investors: For early-stage fundraising and strategic resource integration, ensuring fund security and transparency.

Each category of tokens has distinct unlocking schedules and linear release plans to prevent short-term dumping and ensure stable protocol growth.

Future Outlook

As zero-knowledge applications diversify—from ZK Rollups to privacy AI, identity verification, and Web3 gaming—demand for low-cost, highly trusted ZK verification will surge exponentially. zkVerify will continue to focus on:

• Supporting more proof systems (STARK, Plonky2, Halo2, etc.)
• Integrating with multi-chain ecosystems to expand cross-chain verification capabilities
• Launching zkVerify DAO for full community governance
• Pursuing performance upgrades to reduce ZK verification costs to one-tenth that of traditional L1

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Conclusion

As ZK technology becomes mainstream in the new Web3 era, zkVerify (VFY) plays a pivotal role—not just as a technical foundation, but as the trust anchor for value. Through its decentralized verification network, modular architecture, and sustainable token model, zkVerify is establishing a robust, usable, and scalable infrastructure for the ZK ecosystem, empowering every ZK application to achieve mass adoption with greater speed, lower costs, and enhanced security.