Zero-Knowledge Proof

Brevis is a verifiable computation platform driven by zero-knowledge proofs (ZK), referred to as "The Infinite Compute Layer" for Web3. Its core approach is to offload resource-intensive computations off-chain, enabling the blockchain to simply verify a succinct proof on-chain.

Pico zkVM is the open-source modular Zero-Knowledge Virtual Machine (zkVM) from Brevis (BREV). It allows developers to write any computational logic in Rust and produce a Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK) verifying that the computation was executed correctly.

The ZK data coprocessor eliminates smart contracts’ inability to access historical data by enabling off-chain retrieval of historical or cross-chain data from archive nodes, performing computations, and returning a zero-knowledge proof that confirms both the result and the authenticity and correctness of the data. This proof can be verified by the contract on-chain in milliseconds. The data flow involves four stages: application request, off-chain computation, ZK proof generation, and on-chain verification and result reception, allowing for reliable conclusions without the need to replay all data.

Oracles primarily bring external, off-chain data onto the blockchain, with their credibility relying on nodes and economic incentives. ZK co-processors such as Brevis focus on verifiable computation of existing on-chain historical data, leveraging zero-knowledge proofs to allow direct on-chain validation of results. These two technologies occupy opposite sides of the blockchain data flow, providing complementary roles in data direction, trust models, and computational capabilities. Their boundaries are not strictly defined; in real-world scenarios, collaborative hybrid approaches are commonly adopted.

BREV is the native token of the Brevis network, enabling three core functions: proof fee payments, Prover staking, and protocol governance. coChain operates as a proof-of-stake blockchain with Ethereum-based staking and slashing mechanisms. Validators submit their results as "proposals" to the request chain, triggering a challenge window. If an incorrect proposal is successfully contested using zero-knowledge proof, the associated stake is slashed on Ethereum. If no challenge is raised, the result is accepted automatically, saving the cost of proof.

The key difference between Manta Pacific and Manta Atlantic lies in their functional roles: Pacific is a modular Layer 2 network on Ethereum, specializing in zero-knowledge (ZK) decentralized application deployment and scaling; Atlantic is a ZK Layer 1 network on Polkadot, dedicated to zkAddress and zkSBT on-chain compliance identity infrastructure. Both chains are part of the Manta Network ecosystem and share the MANTA native utility token, but they exhibit structural differences in their underlying ecosystems, technical stacks, and target user groups.

Manta Network (MANTA) is a modular blockchain ecosystem designed for zero-knowledge (ZK) applications, consisting of Manta Pacific—a modular Layer 2 network within the Ethereum ecosystem—and Manta Atlantic, a ZK Layer 1 network on Polkadot. Pacific utilizes the Celestia data availability layer alongside the EVM/zkEVM execution environment to support decentralized applications, while Atlantic specializes in on-chain compliant identity, delivering programmable zero-knowledge identity infrastructure via zkSBT and zkAddress.

Universal Circuits is a ZK-as-a-Service pre-built circuit library deployed on Manta Pacific: Solidity developers can add zero-knowledge functionality to their dApps via standard contract interfaces, without needing to switch to specialized ZK languages like Cairo; typical applications include compliant payments, identity verification, and on-chain games such as zkShuffle.

zkAddress and zkSBT are core privacy identity components developed by Manta Network on the Manta Atlantic chain. zkAddress offers reusable UTXO-style privacy addresses, while zkSBT binds compliance credentials to that address using zero-knowledge proofs. Together, they form the compliant identity infrastructure on the Atlantic chain, enabling Web3 applications to verify identities without revealing users’ original personal data.

Bridging assets to Manta Pacific involves a repeatable process of locking, minting, and mapping balances between Ethereum mainnet and Manta Pacific, a modular Layer 2 network, via a cross-chain bridge. As the execution layer of Manta Network within the Ethereum ecosystem, Manta Pacific enables on-chain deployment and interaction for ETH, ERC-20, and other assets. To participate in ecosystem applications on the Pacific side, users must first understand how the bridge is triggered, how system states change internally, and how to confirm that funds have arrived.

Zcash Orchard is the third generation shielded pool in the Zcash network. Built on the Halo 2 zero knowledge proof system, it is designed to improve the efficiency, scalability, and long term upgradeability of private transactions. Compared with the earlier Sprout and Sapling pools, Orchard reduces reliance on trusted setup and optimizes the proof generation and verification process.

Nockchain works by replacing traditional PoW hash calculations with Zero-Knowledge Proof generation. In Nockchain, miners no longer compete for blocks through meaningless hash operations. Instead, they participate in network consensus by generating verifiable proofs. Nockchain’s architecture includes components such as NockVM, NockApp, Proofpower, and Global Consensus SNARKs, aiming to build a decentralized proving network that supports AI, privacy applications, and Verifiable Computation.

Nockchain is a blockchain network based on Zero-Knowledge Proof-of-Work, or ZKPoW. Its core goal is to replace the meaningless hash calculations used in traditional PoW with verifiable zero-knowledge proof generation, also known as ZK proving, that has real practical value. Unlike Bitcoin, which relies on competition over computing power, Nockchain uses miners’ computational resources to generate verifiable computation proofs, creating a “Useful Proof of Work” model.

Railgun and Tornado Cash are both on-chain privacy protocols, but their design goals and operating models are clearly different. Tornado Cash is closer to an anonymous mixer, using fixed-denomination pools to break links between funds. Railgun, by contrast, is a zk-SNARK-based Private DeFi protocol that supports privacy accounts, private transactions, and anonymous smart contract interactions.

Railgun is a privacy DeFi protocol built on EVM blockchains. It uses zk-SNARK zero-knowledge proof technology to hide user addresses, asset balances, transaction amounts, and on-chain behavior, while preserving composability with ecosystem protocols on Ethereum, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, and other networks. Unlike traditional privacy coins or mixers, Railgun does not rely on a separate blockchain. Instead, it enables private transactions and anonymous smart contract interactions directly on native chains.