Hello World Anniversary Newsletter
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Foreword from the CEO, Kevin Liu

As we celebrate our first anniversary at ZKM, I am immensely proud of our journey from humble beginnings to quickly becoming recognized as a pioneering force in the ZK space. Our commitment to transforming blockchain interoperability and integrating zero-knowledge technology seamlessly into everyday blockchain applications has fueled innovations and collaborations that extend far beyond our initial expectations. I’m proud to present the foreword to this newsletter, which captures our key milestones and community achievements - each vital step bringing us closer to our core mission of making state-of-the-art ZK technology accessible to the masses.

The Milestones

We Launched!

Our adventure began with the blastoff in July 2023, marking ZKM's entry into the blockchain arena with a clear vision of bringing zero-knowledge technology to the masses via a general purpose zkVM built on top of the stability of MIPS architecture. Our debut announcement at EthCC in Paris was our first interaction with the global community, setting the tone for a year filled with innovation and active dialogue.

In conjunction with our official launch, we released our first comprehensive whitepaper, which detailed the technical architecture and strategic vision of our zkVM (zkMIPS). This foundational document served as both an introduction and an invitation to the broader blockchain community, outlining our plans to integrate ZKP’s with blockchain technology to enable a variety of potential applications: zkMIPS WhitePaper (old)  

Building Connections

We made waves by celebrating our launch at Metis Fest, co-hosted with industry leaders like Metis and Polyhedra. Amidst the celebrations we explored the tangible benefits of ZKPs in blockchain, always seeking to refine our ever-evolving vision. Our journey through major blockchain events, including EthToronto and the Futurist Conference, helped us to develop deep, meaningful collaborations that would support our vision of a decentralized future using ZK. These attendances set a precedent, with ZKM being a staple at major blockchain conferences worldwide: ZKM Events

Education and Engagement

Our commitment to community and education took center stage in October. We launched our Early Contributor Program, designed to bring ZKM to the people and enable them to contribute, learn, and grow with us. The establishment of our Education Hub and Study Club closely followed, under the stewardship of Education Lead Alice Liu, to support our goal of making our complex technology widely accessible and understandable. Senior Cryptographer and University Professor Jeroen van de Graaf played a pivotal role, leading advanced courses that dove deep into the core concepts behind zero-knowledge technology. His contributions have been instrumental in building a solid foundation of knowledge that enables our community to understand ZK: ZKM Education Hub

Expanding Horizons

The closing months of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 were marked by an increased focus on accessibility and interaction. Our AMA sessions, beginning in November, opened direct lines of communication between the ZKM team and the community, offering exclusive insights and answering burning questions about our technology and roadmap. As we prepared for EthDenver, our engagement strategies matured, reflecting our readiness to lead the ZK discussion on the big stage: ZKM Team AMA

The Bridgeless Bridge

The unveiling of the Entangled Rollup litepaper just prior to EthDenver was a significant milestone and a pivotal moment in our development. Initiated from Chief Scientist Ming Guo's advocacy for an optimal interoperability infrastructure for blockchain, the Entangled Rollup was developed into a practical system design by Dev Lead, Stephen Duan, after much rigorous debating and collaborative refinement by ZKM Research.

Prior to the release of this design, our focus had been largely on the use of our zkVM for scalability, but this document introduced a groundbreaking protocol for trust-minimized multi-chain interoperability to further leverage the capabilities of our zkMIPS technology. The Entangled Rollup aims to tackle liquidity fragmentation and simplify the user and developer experience across blockchain networks. This innovation will enable seamless interaction between different blockchains, setting a new standard for how decentralized platforms can operate cohesively and efficiently: Entangled Rollup LitePaper

Alpha Testnet

Coinciding with the release of our Entangled Rollup paper came the first phase of Testnet for zkMIPS. Our zkVM combines Zero-Knowledge technology with MIPS processor architecture to create a unique verifiable computing solution, opening up tremendous possibilities for both new and existing applications to harness the many potential benefits of validity proofs.

We’re seeking collaboration and contributions from developers to build applications supported by our zkVM, which can be tested here: ZKM GitHub 

We continue to work on optimizing zkMIPS and its developer documentation, ready for its Mainnet release. Stay tuned for more details.

Inaugural Hacker House 

EthDenver was a landmark event for us, showcasing our leadership in the field of ZK and really putting us on the map. The event featured the debut of our 'House of ZK' hacker house, which hosted deep-dive panels, workshops, and keynotes led by industry leaders from prominent projects such as Polygon, zkSync, Scroll, Starknet, Aleo and many more.

EthDenver provided a platform for our team to demonstrate their latest developments and engage with a broad audience of developers, researchers, and blockchain enthusiasts. Our presence at EthDenver heightened awareness of our contributions to the space and solidified our position as innovators in applying ZKP’s in practical, impactful ways: House of ZK EthDenver

You can read all about House of ZK EthDenver in our March ‘Special Edition’ Newsletter: Special Edition Newsletter

zkMIPS Paper 2.0

Our new zkMIPS paper provides updated details of the architecture and functionality of our zkVM, providing a comprehensive technical framework that supports the development of secure, verifiable computing for blockchain applications. The paper serves as an invitation to the developer community to engage with and contribute to the ongoing evolution of ZKM’s core technologies: zkMIPS WhitePaper (new)

Infrastructural Leaps

The release of our Prover Service marked a giant step forward in our technology suite, designed to alleviate the computational burdens often associated with proof generation. This network enables developers to utilize our powerful zkMIPS without the need for extensive hardware resources, allowing for wider adoption and innovation within the blockchain development community. By providing a scalable, accessible platform for proof generation, the ZKM Prover Service significantly lowers the barrier to entry for developers looking to integrate ZKP’s into their applications, thereby expanding the practicality of our technology: ZKM's Proving Service 

House of ZK 2.0

We rounded off our first year of building with a second live House of ZK event during EthCC Brussels, which was a resounding success, gathering luminaries from the space to explore the cutting-edge of ZK. The event featured a series of engaging workshops and panels with industry experts from RISC Zero, Polygon, zkSync, Scroll, Starknet, Aleo, Mina, zkLink, Metis and many more, discussing topics ranging from ZK for privacy and scaling to interoperability and proving systems: House of ZK Brussels  

Podcast Launch

As if all that wasn’t enough already, we’re also on the cusp of releasing our genesis House of ZK Radio podcast episode. To catch the episode when it goes live, and to keep up-to-date with all House of ZK news and future events, follow HoZK on ‘X’

The Team

Kevin Liu - CEO

Kevin Liu has spearheaded ZKM's strategic initiatives, guiding the team from its nascent stages to becoming a leader in the zero-knowledge space. His articles and discussions often focus on the deployment of blockchain technology for decentralization, reflecting his deep commitment to transforming blockchain's role in technology and society. He’s equally focused on the strategic side of his company's innovations, with an emphasis on how to achieve network effects for their various products.

Kevin contributed several influential pieces, including his reflection on blockchain projects achieving full decentralization and ‘How can a general-purpose zkVM achieve network effect’. His writings, often inspired by broader industry discussions, outlined pragmatic pathways for rollups, zkVM’s and other technologies to reduce reliance on centralized components.

zkm.io/blog/how-can-a-general-purpose-zkvm-achieve-network-effects 

Ming Guo - Chief Scientist

Ming Guo, the visionary behind ZKM and its groundbreaking Entangled Rollup design, has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic and practical understanding of zkProofs within the blockchain community. He has contributed extensively to ZKM's papers, sharing his deep insights into the future of blockchain scalability and interoperability. 

Ming penned thoughtful pieces such as ‘Hybrid Rollup - A Birds Eye View’ and ‘Life After Scaling for Ethereum’, where he explored the long-term implications and strategies for Ethereum's scalability, such as with ZKM’s Hybrid Rollup design. Beyond his written contributions, Ming has actively participated in numerous podcasts and live events, where he discusses the implications and applications of ZKM’s technologies, making complex concepts accessible and engaging to a global audience.

zkm.io/blog/hybrid-rollup-a-birds-eye-view 

Jeroen van de Graaf - Senior Cryptographer

Jeroen van de Graaf has been central to ZKM's educational outreach, co-authoring numerous pivotal papers and producing the world-class content of the ZKM Education Hub. His lectures and courses provide a rigorous foundation in zero-knowledge learning, tailored to educate both new learners and advanced practitioners. Jeroen’s efforts have been a crucial part of our mission to make ZK accessible to the masses, by demystifying complex cryptographic concepts and helping us to build a knowledgeable community ready to engage with our technologies.

Jeroen van de Graaf authored a critical two-part series, ‘zkMIPS: What Security Means for Our zkVM’s Proofs, and also ‘Jolt & Lasso: A New Approach to Building zkVM’s’. These articles explored the essential security aspects of zkVMs, dissecting how robust cryptographic foundations underpin the trust and reliability of validity proofs. His work clarified the complex mechanics behind ZKM’s security features and their implications for developers and users alike.

zkm.io/blog/jolt-and-lasso-a-new-approach-to-building-zkvms 

Lucas Peixoto Fraga - Senior Researcher

Lucas’s contributions have been fundamental in both the theoretical and applied aspects of ZKM’s technology. His work on the zkMIPS architecture has been detailed in several ZKM papers, contributing significantly to our community's understanding of zero-knowledge proofs. Lucas has also participated in various AMA’s and live presentations, explaining the nuances of ZKM's technology and its potential impact on the blockchain ecosystem.

Lucas also shared his expertise in a detailed article and accompanying presentation on the zkMIPS Proving Architecture. His technical exposition covered the intricate design and operational mechanics of ZKM's zkMIPS, providing a deep understanding of its architectural efficiency and the computational leverage it offers within the blockchain sector.

zkm.io/blog/getting-to-know-zkmips-proving-architecture

Alice Liu - Education Lead

Alice Liu has been instrumental to ZKM’s efforts to demystify and disseminate knowledge about ZK, with her impeccable organization of ZKM’s Education Hub. Her notable presentation during BUILDH3R 2024, ‘Generating Proofs with ZKM’, was a wonderful demonstration of ZKM's educational initiatives, where Alice explained the technical aspects of generating proofs using our zkMIPS and also provided a live demo, illustrating the practical applications and ease of use that ZKM aims to deliver.

Alice also hosted several AMA’s and gave other notable talks. Her efforts have significantly contributed to building a well-informed community around ZKM’s technological advancements.

Pavel Sinelnikov - DevRel Lead

Pavel has been a dynamic force in disseminating ZKM's technological advancements through his engaging presentations and contributions to ZKM's research papers. He has represented ZKM in various live events and podcasts, elucidating the practical applications and benefits of ZKM’s innovations. His interactive sessions have inspired developers and enthusiasts about the future possibilities of our technology.

Pavel also expanded on his vocal efforts with his article, ‘The Quantum Entangled Network’, where he offers his unique perspective on ZKM’s Entangled Rollup design. He also explored the vast potential of Entangled Rollups in his series titled ‘Conversations with Pavel’. Through this engaging dialogue format, he illuminated the technical nuances and real-world applications of ZKM's innovations, making complex topics accessible and stimulating for all.

zkm.io/blog/the-quantum-entangled-network

Cat Anderson - Marketing & Growth Lead

Cat Anderson is the neck that turns the head. As the first employee and a part of the founding team, she helped to raise ZKM from what was just an idea into the team and company it has now become. Working diligently to ensure the team moves forward together and with intent, to ensure the vision and mission are never lost, and to ensure our community and team upholds the right ethos. Cat continues to oversee ZKM’s growth strategy through honest marketing tactics, strategic business development, and unique community events in San Francisco and globally.

Ben Wynn - Community Lead & Marketing

As the initiator of the ZKM Study Club, Ben has created a vibrant platform for learning and discussion, encouraging community members to dive deeply into the complexities of blockchain technology. His initiative extends to running ZKM’s Discord Community and Early Contributor Program alongside his moderation team, where he has created a dynamic environment for community members to contribute actively to ZKM's development.

Ben is also the creative force behind much of ZKM's compelling content, managing social media and blog outputs, and producing many insightful articles articulating ZKM’s latest news, innovations, and their impact on broader societal contexts. His article, ‘The Why of ZKM’, is an example of how he blends technical insight with philosophical reflections to highlight the importance of decentralization and the transformative potential of ZKM’s technology.

zkm.io/blog/the-why-of-zkm

Stephen Duan - Developer Lead

Stephen’s contributions have been pivotal in the evolution and success of our core technologies, particularly the development of zkMIPS. His deep technical expertise has been crucial in shaping zkMIPS into a high-performance zkVM that underpins all of our future plans. Stephen has played a key role in the architectural design and strategic implementation of several groundbreaking works, including the practical system design of Entangled Rollups.

Stephen’s ability to translate complex theoretical concepts into practical, effective solutions has been a significant factor in ZKM’s position at the forefront of the industry.

ZKM Developer Team

The ZKM Developer Team, with notable mentions to Dr. Angel Li (Senior Software Developer), Blake (Senior Cryptography Developer), Dr. Lynn (Senior Cryptography Specialist) and Xander Zhu (Senior Software Developer), have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to optimize and enhance zkMIPS, our zkVM. Their hardcore development efforts ensure the robustness and peak performance of our technology, and they are ever redefining the boundaries of what it can achieve. Through rigorous testing, innovative problem-solving, and continuous enhancements, they ensure that zkMIPS not only meets but exceeds the stringent demands of modern blockchain applications. 

ZKM Design Team

The ZKM Design Team have become masters of visually communicating the complex and innovative nature of our technology. This talented group of designers and SEO specialists works diligently to create first-class graphics that capture the essence of ZKM’s personality and make intricate concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience. Their creative expertise is evident across various platforms, from our incredible social media displays to the dynamic web designs that enhance user experience.

ZKM Moderator Team

Our team of moderators play a crucial role in managing the growing ZKM community. They facilitate discussions, provide support, and ensure that our community forums are a welcoming and informative space for everyone interested in zero-knowledge technology and its applications. They also work extremely hard behind the scenes to keep our Early Contributor Program running smoothly. 

New Additions

We excitedly welcome several new additions to the team, most notably Sophia Li, who brings her pragmatic and organized approach to spearhead ZKM’s content strategy. We’ve also added to the ZKM Development and DevRel teams, and we look forward to their continued contributions over the coming year.

The Future

Looking Forward

As we gear up for another year, our focus continues to be on enhancing our zkMIPS capabilities, broadening our educational initiatives, and deepening community ties. The upcoming year is poised to be one of scaling new heights and forging pathways that were once deemed impossible. The development and implementation of Entangled and Hybrid Rollups with our zkVM infrastructure are set to transform blockchain interoperability and scalability. 

GOAT Network stands to be the first project to fully utilize the ZKM tech stack, specifically leveraging the ZKM Entangled Rollup framework. This initiative introduces a decentralized and secure Bitcoin Layer 2 solution that natively extends Bitcoin’s functionality. Through the integration of ZKM's zkMIPS, a unique Optimistic Challenge Protocol, and decentralized sequencers, GOAT Network aims to enhance the security and scalability of Bitcoin transactions and provide a sustainable yield for Bitcoin holders. This project will be the first practical demonstration of our technological innovations and will set a pioneering standard for future blockchain projects seeking to utilize a general-purpose zkVM for innovative scaling and interoperability solutions. GOAT Network will continue to employ our tech stack to create bridgeless connections between Bitcoin and various blockchain environments.

Metis, an Ethereum L2, will further increase the adoption of zkMIPS as the first blockchain to implement a Hybrid Rollup architecture, showcasing the potential of seamlessly combining Optimistic Rollups with our validity proof technology to optimize transaction processing and enhance security.

Moreover, we are working on several other significant implementations that, for now, are still under wraps. These developments promise to extend the reach and impact of our technology, providing more robust ZK-based solutions for blockchain applications and setting new standards in the industry.

Closing Note

Every contributing member of our community has played an important part in this incredible journey. As we step into another year, our resolve to innovate and educate only grows stronger. Join us as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with ZK.

Thank you for supporting us and being a vital part of our first chapter. Here's to many more!

For continuous updates and participation opportunities, join our Discord and follow us on social media. Our journey with ZKM is still just beginning - here’s to another year of innovation 🥂

ZKM Team discord.gg/projectzkm | x.com/ProjectZKM

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Hello World Anniversary Newsletter

Foreword from the CEO, Kevin Liu

As we celebrate our first anniversary at ZKM, I am immensely proud of our journey from humble beginnings to quickly becoming recognized as a pioneering force in the ZK space. Our commitment to transforming blockchain interoperability and integrating zero-knowledge technology seamlessly into everyday blockchain applications has fueled innovations and collaborations that extend far beyond our initial expectations. I’m proud to present the foreword to this newsletter, which captures our key milestones and community achievements - each vital step bringing us closer to our core mission of making state-of-the-art ZK technology accessible to the masses.

The Milestones

We Launched!

Our adventure began with the blastoff in July 2023, marking ZKM's entry into the blockchain arena with a clear vision of bringing zero-knowledge technology to the masses via a general purpose zkVM built on top of the stability of MIPS architecture. Our debut announcement at EthCC in Paris was our first interaction with the global community, setting the tone for a year filled with innovation and active dialogue.

In conjunction with our official launch, we released our first comprehensive whitepaper, which detailed the technical architecture and strategic vision of our zkVM (zkMIPS). This foundational document served as both an introduction and an invitation to the broader blockchain community, outlining our plans to integrate ZKP’s with blockchain technology to enable a variety of potential applications: zkMIPS WhitePaper (old)  

Building Connections

We made waves by celebrating our launch at Metis Fest, co-hosted with industry leaders like Metis and Polyhedra. Amidst the celebrations we explored the tangible benefits of ZKPs in blockchain, always seeking to refine our ever-evolving vision. Our journey through major blockchain events, including EthToronto and the Futurist Conference, helped us to develop deep, meaningful collaborations that would support our vision of a decentralized future using ZK. These attendances set a precedent, with ZKM being a staple at major blockchain conferences worldwide: ZKM Events

Education and Engagement

Our commitment to community and education took center stage in October. We launched our Early Contributor Program, designed to bring ZKM to the people and enable them to contribute, learn, and grow with us. The establishment of our Education Hub and Study Club closely followed, under the stewardship of Education Lead Alice Liu, to support our goal of making our complex technology widely accessible and understandable. Senior Cryptographer and University Professor Jeroen van de Graaf played a pivotal role, leading advanced courses that dove deep into the core concepts behind zero-knowledge technology. His contributions have been instrumental in building a solid foundation of knowledge that enables our community to understand ZK: ZKM Education Hub

Expanding Horizons

The closing months of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 were marked by an increased focus on accessibility and interaction. Our AMA sessions, beginning in November, opened direct lines of communication between the ZKM team and the community, offering exclusive insights and answering burning questions about our technology and roadmap. As we prepared for EthDenver, our engagement strategies matured, reflecting our readiness to lead the ZK discussion on the big stage: ZKM Team AMA

The Bridgeless Bridge

The unveiling of the Entangled Rollup litepaper just prior to EthDenver was a significant milestone and a pivotal moment in our development. Initiated from Chief Scientist Ming Guo's advocacy for an optimal interoperability infrastructure for blockchain, the Entangled Rollup was developed into a practical system design by Dev Lead, Stephen Duan, after much rigorous debating and collaborative refinement by ZKM Research.

Prior to the release of this design, our focus had been largely on the use of our zkVM for scalability, but this document introduced a groundbreaking protocol for trust-minimized multi-chain interoperability to further leverage the capabilities of our zkMIPS technology. The Entangled Rollup aims to tackle liquidity fragmentation and simplify the user and developer experience across blockchain networks. This innovation will enable seamless interaction between different blockchains, setting a new standard for how decentralized platforms can operate cohesively and efficiently: Entangled Rollup LitePaper

Alpha Testnet

Coinciding with the release of our Entangled Rollup paper came the first phase of Testnet for zkMIPS. Our zkVM combines Zero-Knowledge technology with MIPS processor architecture to create a unique verifiable computing solution, opening up tremendous possibilities for both new and existing applications to harness the many potential benefits of validity proofs.

We’re seeking collaboration and contributions from developers to build applications supported by our zkVM, which can be tested here: ZKM GitHub 

We continue to work on optimizing zkMIPS and its developer documentation, ready for its Mainnet release. Stay tuned for more details.

Inaugural Hacker House 

EthDenver was a landmark event for us, showcasing our leadership in the field of ZK and really putting us on the map. The event featured the debut of our 'House of ZK' hacker house, which hosted deep-dive panels, workshops, and keynotes led by industry leaders from prominent projects such as Polygon, zkSync, Scroll, Starknet, Aleo and many more.

EthDenver provided a platform for our team to demonstrate their latest developments and engage with a broad audience of developers, researchers, and blockchain enthusiasts. Our presence at EthDenver heightened awareness of our contributions to the space and solidified our position as innovators in applying ZKP’s in practical, impactful ways: House of ZK EthDenver

You can read all about House of ZK EthDenver in our March ‘Special Edition’ Newsletter: Special Edition Newsletter

zkMIPS Paper 2.0

Our new zkMIPS paper provides updated details of the architecture and functionality of our zkVM, providing a comprehensive technical framework that supports the development of secure, verifiable computing for blockchain applications. The paper serves as an invitation to the developer community to engage with and contribute to the ongoing evolution of ZKM’s core technologies: zkMIPS WhitePaper (new)

Infrastructural Leaps

The release of our Prover Service marked a giant step forward in our technology suite, designed to alleviate the computational burdens often associated with proof generation. This network enables developers to utilize our powerful zkMIPS without the need for extensive hardware resources, allowing for wider adoption and innovation within the blockchain development community. By providing a scalable, accessible platform for proof generation, the ZKM Prover Service significantly lowers the barrier to entry for developers looking to integrate ZKP’s into their applications, thereby expanding the practicality of our technology: ZKM's Proving Service 

House of ZK 2.0

We rounded off our first year of building with a second live House of ZK event during EthCC Brussels, which was a resounding success, gathering luminaries from the space to explore the cutting-edge of ZK. The event featured a series of engaging workshops and panels with industry experts from RISC Zero, Polygon, zkSync, Scroll, Starknet, Aleo, Mina, zkLink, Metis and many more, discussing topics ranging from ZK for privacy and scaling to interoperability and proving systems: House of ZK Brussels  

Podcast Launch

As if all that wasn’t enough already, we’re also on the cusp of releasing our genesis House of ZK Radio podcast episode. To catch the episode when it goes live, and to keep up-to-date with all House of ZK news and future events, follow HoZK on ‘X’

The Team

Kevin Liu - CEO

Kevin Liu has spearheaded ZKM's strategic initiatives, guiding the team from its nascent stages to becoming a leader in the zero-knowledge space. His articles and discussions often focus on the deployment of blockchain technology for decentralization, reflecting his deep commitment to transforming blockchain's role in technology and society. He’s equally focused on the strategic side of his company's innovations, with an emphasis on how to achieve network effects for their various products.

Kevin contributed several influential pieces, including his reflection on blockchain projects achieving full decentralization and ‘How can a general-purpose zkVM achieve network effect’. His writings, often inspired by broader industry discussions, outlined pragmatic pathways for rollups, zkVM’s and other technologies to reduce reliance on centralized components.

zkm.io/blog/how-can-a-general-purpose-zkvm-achieve-network-effects 

Ming Guo - Chief Scientist

Ming Guo, the visionary behind ZKM and its groundbreaking Entangled Rollup design, has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic and practical understanding of zkProofs within the blockchain community. He has contributed extensively to ZKM's papers, sharing his deep insights into the future of blockchain scalability and interoperability. 

Ming penned thoughtful pieces such as ‘Hybrid Rollup - A Birds Eye View’ and ‘Life After Scaling for Ethereum’, where he explored the long-term implications and strategies for Ethereum's scalability, such as with ZKM’s Hybrid Rollup design. Beyond his written contributions, Ming has actively participated in numerous podcasts and live events, where he discusses the implications and applications of ZKM’s technologies, making complex concepts accessible and engaging to a global audience.

zkm.io/blog/hybrid-rollup-a-birds-eye-view 

Jeroen van de Graaf - Senior Cryptographer

Jeroen van de Graaf has been central to ZKM's educational outreach, co-authoring numerous pivotal papers and producing the world-class content of the ZKM Education Hub. His lectures and courses provide a rigorous foundation in zero-knowledge learning, tailored to educate both new learners and advanced practitioners. Jeroen’s efforts have been a crucial part of our mission to make ZK accessible to the masses, by demystifying complex cryptographic concepts and helping us to build a knowledgeable community ready to engage with our technologies.

Jeroen van de Graaf authored a critical two-part series, ‘zkMIPS: What Security Means for Our zkVM’s Proofs, and also ‘Jolt & Lasso: A New Approach to Building zkVM’s’. These articles explored the essential security aspects of zkVMs, dissecting how robust cryptographic foundations underpin the trust and reliability of validity proofs. His work clarified the complex mechanics behind ZKM’s security features and their implications for developers and users alike.

zkm.io/blog/jolt-and-lasso-a-new-approach-to-building-zkvms 

Lucas Peixoto Fraga - Senior Researcher

Lucas’s contributions have been fundamental in both the theoretical and applied aspects of ZKM’s technology. His work on the zkMIPS architecture has been detailed in several ZKM papers, contributing significantly to our community's understanding of zero-knowledge proofs. Lucas has also participated in various AMA’s and live presentations, explaining the nuances of ZKM's technology and its potential impact on the blockchain ecosystem.

Lucas also shared his expertise in a detailed article and accompanying presentation on the zkMIPS Proving Architecture. His technical exposition covered the intricate design and operational mechanics of ZKM's zkMIPS, providing a deep understanding of its architectural efficiency and the computational leverage it offers within the blockchain sector.

zkm.io/blog/getting-to-know-zkmips-proving-architecture

Alice Liu - Education Lead

Alice Liu has been instrumental to ZKM’s efforts to demystify and disseminate knowledge about ZK, with her impeccable organization of ZKM’s Education Hub. Her notable presentation during BUILDH3R 2024, ‘Generating Proofs with ZKM’, was a wonderful demonstration of ZKM's educational initiatives, where Alice explained the technical aspects of generating proofs using our zkMIPS and also provided a live demo, illustrating the practical applications and ease of use that ZKM aims to deliver.

Alice also hosted several AMA’s and gave other notable talks. Her efforts have significantly contributed to building a well-informed community around ZKM’s technological advancements.

Pavel Sinelnikov - DevRel Lead

Pavel has been a dynamic force in disseminating ZKM's technological advancements through his engaging presentations and contributions to ZKM's research papers. He has represented ZKM in various live events and podcasts, elucidating the practical applications and benefits of ZKM’s innovations. His interactive sessions have inspired developers and enthusiasts about the future possibilities of our technology.

Pavel also expanded on his vocal efforts with his article, ‘The Quantum Entangled Network’, where he offers his unique perspective on ZKM’s Entangled Rollup design. He also explored the vast potential of Entangled Rollups in his series titled ‘Conversations with Pavel’. Through this engaging dialogue format, he illuminated the technical nuances and real-world applications of ZKM's innovations, making complex topics accessible and stimulating for all.

zkm.io/blog/the-quantum-entangled-network

Cat Anderson - Marketing & Growth Lead

Cat Anderson is the neck that turns the head. As the first employee and a part of the founding team, she helped to raise ZKM from what was just an idea into the team and company it has now become. Working diligently to ensure the team moves forward together and with intent, to ensure the vision and mission are never lost, and to ensure our community and team upholds the right ethos. Cat continues to oversee ZKM’s growth strategy through honest marketing tactics, strategic business development, and unique community events in San Francisco and globally.

Ben Wynn - Community Lead & Marketing

As the initiator of the ZKM Study Club, Ben has created a vibrant platform for learning and discussion, encouraging community members to dive deeply into the complexities of blockchain technology. His initiative extends to running ZKM’s Discord Community and Early Contributor Program alongside his moderation team, where he has created a dynamic environment for community members to contribute actively to ZKM's development.

Ben is also the creative force behind much of ZKM's compelling content, managing social media and blog outputs, and producing many insightful articles articulating ZKM’s latest news, innovations, and their impact on broader societal contexts. His article, ‘The Why of ZKM’, is an example of how he blends technical insight with philosophical reflections to highlight the importance of decentralization and the transformative potential of ZKM’s technology.

zkm.io/blog/the-why-of-zkm

Stephen Duan - Developer Lead

Stephen’s contributions have been pivotal in the evolution and success of our core technologies, particularly the development of zkMIPS. His deep technical expertise has been crucial in shaping zkMIPS into a high-performance zkVM that underpins all of our future plans. Stephen has played a key role in the architectural design and strategic implementation of several groundbreaking works, including the practical system design of Entangled Rollups.

Stephen’s ability to translate complex theoretical concepts into practical, effective solutions has been a significant factor in ZKM’s position at the forefront of the industry.

ZKM Developer Team

The ZKM Developer Team, with notable mentions to Dr. Angel Li (Senior Software Developer), Blake (Senior Cryptography Developer), Dr. Lynn (Senior Cryptography Specialist) and Xander Zhu (Senior Software Developer), have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to optimize and enhance zkMIPS, our zkVM. Their hardcore development efforts ensure the robustness and peak performance of our technology, and they are ever redefining the boundaries of what it can achieve. Through rigorous testing, innovative problem-solving, and continuous enhancements, they ensure that zkMIPS not only meets but exceeds the stringent demands of modern blockchain applications. 

ZKM Design Team

The ZKM Design Team have become masters of visually communicating the complex and innovative nature of our technology. This talented group of designers and SEO specialists works diligently to create first-class graphics that capture the essence of ZKM’s personality and make intricate concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience. Their creative expertise is evident across various platforms, from our incredible social media displays to the dynamic web designs that enhance user experience.

ZKM Moderator Team

Our team of moderators play a crucial role in managing the growing ZKM community. They facilitate discussions, provide support, and ensure that our community forums are a welcoming and informative space for everyone interested in zero-knowledge technology and its applications. They also work extremely hard behind the scenes to keep our Early Contributor Program running smoothly. 

New Additions

We excitedly welcome several new additions to the team, most notably Sophia Li, who brings her pragmatic and organized approach to spearhead ZKM’s content strategy. We’ve also added to the ZKM Development and DevRel teams, and we look forward to their continued contributions over the coming year.

The Future

Looking Forward

As we gear up for another year, our focus continues to be on enhancing our zkMIPS capabilities, broadening our educational initiatives, and deepening community ties. The upcoming year is poised to be one of scaling new heights and forging pathways that were once deemed impossible. The development and implementation of Entangled and Hybrid Rollups with our zkVM infrastructure are set to transform blockchain interoperability and scalability. 

GOAT Network stands to be the first project to fully utilize the ZKM tech stack, specifically leveraging the ZKM Entangled Rollup framework. This initiative introduces a decentralized and secure Bitcoin Layer 2 solution that natively extends Bitcoin’s functionality. Through the integration of ZKM's zkMIPS, a unique Optimistic Challenge Protocol, and decentralized sequencers, GOAT Network aims to enhance the security and scalability of Bitcoin transactions and provide a sustainable yield for Bitcoin holders. This project will be the first practical demonstration of our technological innovations and will set a pioneering standard for future blockchain projects seeking to utilize a general-purpose zkVM for innovative scaling and interoperability solutions. GOAT Network will continue to employ our tech stack to create bridgeless connections between Bitcoin and various blockchain environments.

Metis, an Ethereum L2, will further increase the adoption of zkMIPS as the first blockchain to implement a Hybrid Rollup architecture, showcasing the potential of seamlessly combining Optimistic Rollups with our validity proof technology to optimize transaction processing and enhance security.

Moreover, we are working on several other significant implementations that, for now, are still under wraps. These developments promise to extend the reach and impact of our technology, providing more robust ZK-based solutions for blockchain applications and setting new standards in the industry.

Closing Note

Every contributing member of our community has played an important part in this incredible journey. As we step into another year, our resolve to innovate and educate only grows stronger. Join us as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with ZK.

Thank you for supporting us and being a vital part of our first chapter. Here's to many more!

For continuous updates and participation opportunities, join our Discord and follow us on social media. Our journey with ZKM is still just beginning - here’s to another year of innovation 🥂

ZKM Team discord.gg/projectzkm | x.com/ProjectZKM