Proof of Track 2023-05-03

May 04, 2023

zk-sentiment

Another application that uses RISC0, calling Rust's sentiment library.

Some circuits will be too large to create this batch of proofs. Scroll disagreed with the option of setting the block gas limit based on worst-case opcodes and gas re-pricing, arguing that additional "proof gas" metering should be introduced, and preferably enforce proof gas metering outside of the execution layer.

Floating points in ZK

Since zk is in finite field, the floating points commonly used in ml are hard to optimize. The solutions are: direct precision clipping, using circuit-specific models, or just avoiding weights and floating points like ZeroGravity.

Hardware Review: GPUs FPGAs and Zero Knowledge Proofs

An overview of zk hardware written by Ingonyama.

ProtoStar

Generic Efficient Accumulation/Folding for Special Sound Protocols.

Snarking intensity

@nibnalin’s thoughts on general zkVM’s.

ZKML: Bridging AI/ML and Web3 with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Cathie So's sharing of Ecosystem Support Program on zkML.

Exciting times at the intersection of Compilers and Applied Cryptography: Cairo and MLIR

Works on the Cairo compiler, check out MLIR and Cairo.

🔍 Ethereum

Stelo Explore

Another generic front-end for smart contracts.

"low-carb-crusader"

The previous sandwich reaper exposed another vulnerability of flashbots, while telling people not to call him sandwich reaper, but low-carb-crusader...

Defillama Protocol Expense

Defillama has added a new page where you can see the annual overhead and per capita overhead (without token incentives) for each of the giant protocols. Among them MakerDAO, Lido, and Sushi all take $200,000 per capita in overhead (not revenue, because audit overhead is included).

🔍 Layer2

SUAVE, Anoma, Shared Sequencers, & Super Builders

A very comprehensive article. It describes how SUAVE unbundles mempool and builder, how Anoma implements a new architecture to achieve the same goal, and how Shard Sequencer promotes uniformity.

Are blockchain "layers" real?

Modular Media brings together a discussion of layers in terms such as Layer2. My personal opinion is to stick with the existing terminology, whether it is inaccurate or can be optimized. Because, every time we talk about zk rollup we have to say, "zk rollup is actually validity rollup" and it's a pain in the ass...

The Definitive Guide to Sequencing

"All this hyperbole about shared Sequencing enabling seamless interoperability is junk science".

🔍 MEV

The MEV Conundrum

Verilog Solutions' summary of MEV concepts and novel solutions. Super comprehensive.

PBS is bad

The CEO of bloXroute thinks PBS is bad and does not help decentralization. Because PBS makes the validator a "dumb pipes" that receives MEV extractor data. PBS favors a stronger participant and leads to "unfairness". He also implies that the scheme is being driven by stakeholders, including VCs and various high-frequency traders.

Time, slots, and the ordering of events in Ethereum Proof-of-Stake

Due to the previous sandwich sandwicher hack, paradigm put out an article detailing the Ethereum consensus process with mev-boost. What I like most is this conclusion at the end, "even a full 32 ETH slashing may not be enough to dissuade malicious behavior in the presence of extremely large MEV opportunities". In oracle's example, the situation is even more dramatic, where MEV value becomes a general hack opportunity, which is even more interesting.

🔍 Web

I want to talk about WebGPU

Some history of graphics, and an introduction to WebGPU. In general, the Web is going to rule the world again.

🔍 Other

AMM in Minecraft

"Did you know the first ever AMM was built for a minecraft server in 2012????". There is also an archaeology post.

Thanks for reading!

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