What is Zero-Knowledge Rollup?
Let's find out Zero-Knowledge Rollup meaning, definition in crypto, what is Zero-Knowledge Rollup, and all other detailed facts.
Simply put, a zero-knowledge rollup, also known as a ZK-rollup, is a second-layer scaling solution that allows blockchains to confirm transactions faster while keeping gas prices lower. Since they mix on-chain and off-chain processes, ZK-rollups outperform typical Layer 1 blockchains like Ethereum.
While the Ethereum mainnet relies solely on on-chain activity to process transactions and confirm blocks, Layer 2 ZK-rollup solutions also include off-chain features. Merkle Trees are one of the key components that allow ZK-rollups to validate transactions more quickly than Layer 1 blockchains do.
Merkle Tree is a mathematical structure that allows blockchains to assure that no one can tamper with data in an on-chain ZK-rollup record. A ZK-rollup is typically made up of two Merkle Trees that are both kept on a smart contract, or on-chain. The accounts are stored in one tree, while the balances are kept in the other. Any other data that the ZK-rollup generates and uses is stored off-chain.
The off-chain storage of data is one of the reasons why ZK-rollups perform so much better than their Layer 1 equivalents. Merkle Trees contain only the most significant data related to the smart contract. Besides, Merkle Trees are accessed and requested to output data far less frequently than Layer 1 solutions.
The blockchain saves a significant amount of processing power and time as a result of this. Besides, gas prices become lower as less of the blockchain's capacity is used for transaction validation. This makes Layer 2 solutions, particularly ZK-rollups, a preferable choice for small-time traders.
ZK-rollups are becoming more and more popular among developers who want to improve usability, as well as among investors and traders who want to perform transactions faster and cheaper. However, ZK-rollups and Layer 2 solutions are just the beginning of an improved approach to blockchain technology.
In addition, since ZK-rollups use smart contracts to validate the proof of the transactions in Layer 2, it offers several advantages, such as higher transaction throughput and finality time, compared to optimistic rollups. The DeversiFi decentralized exchange and the Immutable X NFT exchange are a few examples of exchanges that use ZK-rollups.