Last week, House of ZK zoomed in on major developments across the ZK space - featuring House of ZK Radio #53, deep-dive recaps from our @eth_proofs Summit and @Bitcoin Economy Conference, and daily News Reports on projects advancing ZK infrastructure, L1s, provers, and more.
Catch up on all our coverage in one thread
House of ZK Radio #53: @1HowardWu, Co-founder of @AleoHQ & @ProvableHQ
At House of ZK Radio #53, Howard shares how Aleo is building a default private L1 to support fully private, programmable smart contracts. From Leo, Aleo's Rust-based DSL, and decentralized private compute to compliance-ready privacy primitives, he outlines the architectural stakes of ZK-native infrastructure.
He explains why retrofitting privacy onto public chains falls short, how AleoBFT, Aleo's consensus protocol, and proving model scale securely, and why privacy must coexist with regulation to support real-world use cases -from stablecoin payrolls to private ML inference and ZK-enabled gaming.
Howard also underscores why privacy-preserving infrastructure like @AleoHQ is essential for protecting sensitive business data for public companies like @Google, enabling broader crypto adoption.
YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=71ut2LvYwhI
We recapped 5 sessions from our @eth_proofs Summit, diving into the current state of zkVMs, proof systems, real-time proving, benchmarking, and open-source infrastructure.
Highlights
1 Panel "zkVM Design and Proof System Tradeoffs"
Featuring: @alexand_belling (Principal Cryptography Research at @LineaBuild), @sd_eigen (CTO of @ProjectZKM), @MayaD09111862 (Product Manager at @StarkWareLtd), @portport255 (Core Contributor of @the_matter_labs & @zksync), @asn_d6 (Researcher at @ethereumfndn)
A wide-ranging discussion on the cryptographic and engineering choices behind today’s zkVMs. Speakers contrasted Plonk-based SNARKs, hash-based STARKs, and Plonky3 recursive systems, exploring their impact on prover speed, quantum resistance, and developer experience. They debated custom ISAs vs RISC-V for VM design, and addressed the challenges of verifier upgrades and standardization. While no universal zkVM emerged, the conversation revealed a shared push for open tooling and evolving performance tradeoffs: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1934584835240055216…
2 Keynote by @alexand_belling, Principal Cryptography Research at @LineaBuild
Linea’s zkVM, built from scratch, uses handwritten circuits for maximum efficiency, and employs lattice-based SNARKs with Vortex PCS for fast proof generation. The system splits large circuits into asynchronous chunks to save memory and prover cost. Optimizations like Fake-GLV and GKR over non-native fields improve precompile performance. With a staged roadmap to Type-1 @ethereum compatibility, Linea aims to combine high throughput with formal verification and modular DSL abstractions:
https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1934966146098151641…
3 Keynote by @NorbertVadas, Head of Product at @ZkCloud
ZkCloud is running a universal proving infrastructure that generates a proof for every Ethereum block using just a single GPU per block. With costs around $0.02/block, the system has already proven over 500K blocks since April 2025. Innovations include pre-proving separation, reused keys, and trace optimizations. Challenges include gas-to-cycle variance and proving-heavy EVM opcodes like modexp. The talk outlined the path to scalable real-time proving with ZK-based consensus:
https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935258104448303303…
4 Panel "Benchmarking Methodologies and Verification Standards"
Featuring: @Khovr (Researcher at @ethereumfndn), @NorbertVadas (Head of Product at @thezkcloud), @0xAlecJames (Business Operations & Strategy Manager at @NexusLabs), @MayaD09111862 (Product Manager at @StarkWareLtd), @alicelingl (Host at @HouseofZK)
This panel tackled the confusion around zkVM benchmarking. Many teams optimize for cherry-picked metrics, such as Fibonacci speed, that don’t reflect real-world performance. Speakers argued for multidimensional benchmarks including proof size, verifier cost, and auditability. They emphasized the role of hardware context, transparent reporting, and open-source validation. The session proposed collaborative benchmarking frameworks and user-run evaluations using platforms like zkCloud: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935633552630009896…
5 Keynote by @jbaylina, @0xPolygon Co-founder
Polygon’s ZisK introduces a modular zkVM written for full-stack control and native Rust/C/Go support. Built on 64-bit RISC-V and targeting 128-bit security, it achieves 11s proofs of 35M gas blocks using 32 GPUs. ZisK breaks down the proving pipeline into parallel phases, optimizing execution, AIR building, and aggregation. Designed to serve real-time aggregation layers and decentralized consensus, ZisK represents Polygon’s vision for open, high-speed zk infrastructure:
https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1936020679192653902
Meanwhile, we rounded up 5 sessions from our @Bitcoin Economy Conference - examining how BTC-native ZK rollups, BitVM, and sustainable yield models are reshaping Bitcoin’s role in a multichain world.
Highlights
1 Panel “Differences in BitVM2 Implementations - and is BitVM2 the Final Form?”
Featuring: @robin_linus (Creator of BitVM), @sd_eigen (Core Contributor at @GOATRollup), @AlpacaYovela (Co-founder of @fiamma_labs), @PimaBTC (Head of Ecosystem at @BimaBTC),
@trackoor, (Co-founder of @nubit_org), @nikki_sunset (Ecosystem Growth Lead at @build_on_bob)
BitVM2 implementers presented different designs, ranging from 1-click bridges and VRF-based challenges to state checkpointing via Babylon. All shared the goal of trustless Bitcoin verification, moving toward SNARK-based bridges. BitVM3 and garbled circuits promise drastic compression, but with increased coordination complexity. While fragmentation remains, participants see the BitVM Alliance as a step toward tooling alignment: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1934658145239900247…
2 Panel “Will zkRollups on @Bitcoin Render All Other Blockchains Obsolete?”
Featuring: @cmpeq (Founder of @PsyProtocol), @BoazKantor, (Product manager at @StarkWare), @hiroto_btc (BD Lead at @Citrea_xyz), @EdanYago (Co-founder of @BitcoinOS), @alicelingl (Host at @HouseofZK)
This panel explored whether Bitcoin-native zkRollups could compete with other L1s. Panelists noted that Ethereum-style rollups are too expensive on BTC, and proposed validiums, atomic swaps, and native DA as better options. Institutions need trusted bridges, while users want 1-click self-custodial experiences. While BTC rollups won’t replace Ethereum, they can serve as complementary layers for yield, compliance, and UX simplicity:
https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1934996933078053018…
3 Panel “Economic Models for Sustainable Yield”
Featuring: @0xNorby (Global Growth at @nubit), @bensig (CEO of @libreblockchain), @starkandlime (@StarkWareLtd), Professor Redouane Elkamhi (Chief Economist at @GOATNetwork), @tobynovum (Co-founder of @ordinalsbot)
Speakers examined how to build yield models that align with Bitcoin’s ethos. Most yield today comes from wrapped assets or inflationary tokens. Real sustainability comes from transaction fees, miner demand, and organic lending markets. Panelists called for onchain flows with non-custodial design, native BTC yield, and mechanisms like time-locked savings and exit-to-L1 guarantees: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935733167102525737…
4 Fireside Chat “Bitcoin Economics for Sustainable Development”
Featuring: @Gallardo_Luchi (Founder of @emergetechlab), @kevinliub (Core Contributor at @GOATRollup), Haymond Rankin (Associate Director of @CaymanFinance), @OnChainAli (Head of Comms at @NatCryptoAssoc)
This fireside chat focused on Bitcoin’s role in sovereign finance and economic mobility. Speakers emphasized that real adoption stems from education, policy clarity, and usable yield mechanisms over speculation. The Cayman Islands and other jurisdictions are building frameworks for BTC-backed incentives. GOAT Network's SafeBox aims to offer transparent, non-custodial BTC yield with real economic activity backing: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1936101001607454778…
5 Panel “The Great Bitcoin Prediction Market?”
Featuring: @C0Smith (VP of Strategic Partnerships at @TheStreetCrypto), @saprophetik (Co-founder of @TheTNetwork), @shanshan521 (Founding Partner of @waterdripfund), @AkiBalogh (Co-founder of @ibtcnetwork)
What’s next for Bitcoin beyond digital gold? Panelists discussed sats-denominated UX, DeFi yield strategies, and interoperability with BitVM2. Treasury inflows are growing, but infra gaps remain. Real-world BTC usage demands simple onboarding, low-risk lending, and no bridges. Bitcoin may not become a general-purpose compute chain, but it could become the financial settlement layer of Web3: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935338761052639505
In our daily News Reports, we covered a wide range of ZK ecosystem updates:
Featuring: @Agglayer, @PolyhedraZK, @EspressoSys, @AcrossProtocol, @union_build, @zkLink_Official, @ZekoLabs
The ZK cross-chain ecosystem is evolving fast - from new architectures like Agglayer’s Chainless Apps to breakthroughs in zkML and trustless bridging. Builders are simplifying proof generation, enhancing performance, and bringing scalable interoperability closer to reality.
Agglayer launched Katana, a DeFi-native chain with chain-owned liquidity and ZK-secured finality. Polyhedra optimized zkML with zkCuda and high-speed hardware. Espresso enables bridgeless NFT minting, Union hit 4,664 participants in a trusted setup, and zkLink previewed an AI agent P2P network: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1934655088359879047…
Featuring: @Starknet, @StarkWareLtd, @ZeroSync_, @GOATRollup, @fiamma_labs, @citrea_xyz, @BitlayerLabs, @layeredge, @build_on_bob,
@FairGateLabs, @BTC_OS, @babylonlabs_io, @nubit_org, @AlpenLabs,
@fractal_bitcoin, @TheTNetwork
ZK is rapidly transforming Bitcoin - from new rollup models and privacy-preserving bridges to programmability and decentralized yield. A new generation of builders is turning Bitcoin into a verifiable, scalable base layer for multichain DeFi.
Starknet introduced Asset Runes and Broly for native Bitcoin asset minting and inscriptions. StarkWare supported research on OP_CAT and scaled ZK engagement. ZeroSync unveiled BitVM3 for SNARK proofs. GOAT Network revealed its zkRollup economic model, solving BitVM’s incentive challenge. Meanwhile Fiamma, Bitlayer, Citrea, and others pushed trust-minimized BTC bridging forward: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935242156270100820…
Featuring: @lagrangedev, @SpaceandTimeDB, @vlayer_xyz, @brevis_zk, @primus_labs, @AutomataNetwork
Coprocessors are the backbone of off-chain ZK compute - powering AI, real-time data, and verifiable execution. Projects are accelerating SNARKs, proving systems, and hardware to make ZK applications usable at scale.
Lagrange released Dynamic zk-SNARKs and expanded adoption of DeepProve with 0G Labs, Gaia, NVIDIA, and OpenGradient. Space and Time grew its verifiable data infra with Azure and Chainlink, and support for Arbitrum, Base, and AVAX. vlayer, Brevis, Primus, and Automata pushed forward zkTLS, zk offchain indexing, and privacy-preserving AI compute: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935617553436487741…
Featuring: @AleoHQ, @MinaProtocol, @horizenglobal, @Zcash, @hyli_org, @namada, @DuskFoundation, @N1Chain
ZK L1s are creating private, programmable blockchains designed for real applications. Builders are optimizing developer tools, rethinking stablecoins, and scaling ZK infrastructure for mainstream use.
Aleo showcased zkEscrow, a private escrow application, while Provable released faster dev tooling for Leo. Mina introduced ZK credential attestations and faster block times. Horizen prepared its migration to Base. Zcash integrated with the @Maya_Protocol and completed development of FROST, a new cryptographic protocol. Meanwhile Hyli, Namada, and Dusk pushed toward composable privacy layers: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1935980129986937253…
Featuring: @thezkcloud, @Ingo_zk, @fermah_xyz, @cysic_xyz,
@Snarkify_ZKP, @MarlinProtocol, @zan_team, @zerobasezk
Proving Services are scaling the core of the ZK stack, powering Ethereum clients, coprocessors, and decentralized verifiers. This layer is becoming the new consensus infrastructure for trust-minimized apps.
ZkCloud received a grant from @ethereumfndn to prove Ethereum blocks in real-time. Ingonyama accelerated ML-KEM and sum-checks. Fermah integrated with @RiscZero and @openvm_org to locally generate proofs. Cysic, Snarkify, and ZAN raced ahead with GPU/ASIC proving. Moreover, Marlin and ZEROBASE are enhancing developer and user infrastructure - Marlin with flexible TEE compute, and ZEROBASE with a faster, more intuitive staking interface: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1936355586083336532…
ZK is shipping fast.
We called on the community to begin their ZK journey with “From Zero to Knowledge” - our educational video series that unpacks core principles, the evolution of ZK, niche terminology, and how system components fit together.
Kickstart your ZK journey with OG @vanishree_rao, Founder of @fermah_xyz https://hozk.io/education
