SNARK

zk-SNARK enables secure, confidential identity verification without revealing sensitive information.

zk-SNARK, which stands for Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge, is a groundbreaking cryptographic system that allows one party to demonstrate knowledge of a secret without disclosing the secret itself. Unlike traditional zero-knowledge systems that require back-and-forth communication, zk-SNARKs facilitate a non-interactive verification process, enhancing privacy and security. This unique approach is the foundation of Zcash, the first major application of zk-SNARKs, where shielded transactions are fully encrypted yet verifiable on the blockchain. With the introduction of the Orchard shielded payment protocol in Network Upgrade 5 (NU5), Zcash has further advanced its privacy features, utilizing the Halo 2 proving system to eliminate trusted setups while achieving high performance and scalability for private digital payments.