Zk-SNARKs

Zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge) is a type of zero-knowledge cryptography that makes it possible to provide evidence of the truth of certain information without revealing any details or additional data.
Succinctness:
“Succinct” means concise, and in the context of Zk-SNARKs, it means that these proofs are short and extremely resource-efficient. The length of the proofs is independent of the size of the data, making them very efficient.
Non-Interactive:
“Non-Interactive” means that the proof process takes place in one step. It does not require multiple exchanges of information between the proving party and the verifying party, which translates into efficiency and speed of the process.
Blockchain application:
Zk-SNARKs are widely used in blockchains, especially to secure the privacy of transactions. They make it possible to provide evidence of the veracity of a transaction, but without revealing the amount or address of the participants.
Privacy Protection:
One of the main uses of Zk-SNARKs is to protect privacy in cryptocurrency transactions. Participants can provide evidence that they have performed certain actions (e.g., conducted a transaction), but do not have to disclose details that could violate their privacy.
Application Example:
Zcash, a cryptocurrency based on the Zk-SNARKs protocol that enables private transactions, is one concrete example of the technology’s application.
The introduction of Zk-SNARKs was crucial to the development of zero-knowledge cryptography, especially in the context of privacy protection in blockchains.