Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) were introduced by Goldwasser, Micali, and Rackoff in 1985.
These proofs are used to prove the validity of an assertion without revealing any information whatsoever about the assertion.
How Blockchain Verifies Information Without Revealing It
There are three properties of ZKPs that are required: completeness, soundness, and zero-knowledge property.
Completeness ensures that if a certain assertion is true, then the verifier will be convinced of this claim by the prover.
The soundness property makes sure that if an assertion is false, then no dishonest prover can convince the verifier otherwise.
The zero-knowledge property, as the name implies, is the key property of ZKPs whereby it is ensured that absolutely nothing is revealed about the assertion except whether it is true or false.
ZKPs have sparked a special interest among researchers in the blockchain space due to their privacy properties, which are very much desirable in financial and many other fields, including law and medicine.
A recent example of the successful implementation of a ZKP mechanism is the Zcash cryptocurrency.
Why This Matters for Blockchain Technology
In Zcash, a specific type of ZKP, known as Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (ZK-SNARK), is implemented.
Key Points to Remember
- Zero-Knowledge Proofs Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) were introduced by Goldwasser, Micali, and Rackoff in 1985.
- These proofs are used to prove the validity of an assertion without revealing any information whatsoever about the assertion.
- There are three properties of ZKPs that are required: completeness, soundness, and zero-knowledge property.
- Completeness ensures that if a certain assertion is true, then the verifier will be convinced of this claim by the prover.
Conclusion
Zero-Knowledge Proofs represents one of the many innovative layers that make blockchain technology so powerful and transformative. As distributed systems continue to evolve, a solid understanding of these core concepts becomes increasingly valuable — not just for developers, but for anyone building, investing in, or working alongside blockchain-powered systems.
Whether you are just starting your blockchain journey or deepening existing expertise, mastering these fundamentals gives you the tools to think clearly about decentralized systems and make smarter decisions in this rapidly evolving space.