security
Zero-Knowledge Proof
Cryptographic proof that a statement is true without revealing the underlying data — used on Solana for confidential transfers and ZK compression, among others.
Zero-Knowledge Proof
A zero-knowledge proof (ZK proof) is a cryptographic technique that lets one party prove a statement is true — without revealing the data itself. Example: proving a transfer is valid (no tokens minted from nothing) without showing the amount.
Use on Solana
- Confidential Transfers (Token-2022): balances and amounts are encrypted, validity is proven via ZK proof.
- ZK Compression: cheaper state storage whose correctness remains provable via ZK proof — that is scaling, not privacy.
Important Distinction
ZK technology does not automatically mean anonymity. What exactly is hidden depends on the specific protocol — with confidential transfers, for example, only the amounts, not sender or receiver.
Deeper Dive
Pillar Privacy on Solana explained.