Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are one of the most powerful ideas in Web3. But until recently, they were only really usable by deep cryptographers or teams with tons of custom infrastructure.
@Succinct Labs is flipping that script.
With their open-source zkVM called SP1 and a fully decentralized Prover Network, Succinct is making zero-knowledge fast, simple, and usable by anyone.
What is SP1?
Think of SP1 like a ZK engine that runs normal Rust code and spits out a proof that everything ran correctly.
You don’t need to touch circuits.
You don’t need to know cryptography.
You just write code.
SP1 takes care of proving it.
It's open-source, insanely fast (up to 28x faster than older systems for certain tasks), and supports real-world programming needs. That means full Rust standard libraries, crates, and even support for other LLVM-based languages like C++.
So basically: if you can write normal code, you can now do ZK. That’s huge.
What’s the Prover Network?
SP1 lets you create proofs. But what if you don’t want to run it yourself?
That’s where Succinct’s Prover Network comes in — it’s a decentralized marketplace where you can ask for a proof, and other people will compete to generate it for you.
It’s kind of like Uber, but for ZK computation.
You submit a request.
Provers (nodes running SP1) bid to do the job.
The fastest/best one wins, and you get your proof.
And it all settles on Ethereum — so it's secure, trustless, and open to anyone.
How it’s all powered: $PROVE
To make it work, the network runs on $PROVE — the token that fuels everything:
You pay provers in PROVE.
Provers stake it to earn trust and win jobs.
It also gets used for governance, pricing, and incentives.
This keeps the system balanced. You don’t get slow or lazy provers. And you don’t get overpriced services.
Who's using this?
Succinct isn’t just an idea — it’s already being used by some of the biggest names in the space:
Polygon, Mantle, Celestia, Lido, and more.
The Prover Network already supports over 1,700 ZK programs.
It’s securing more than $4 billion in value.
Big infra providers like Cysic, A41, ZAN, Snarkify are already live as provers.
So yeah, this isn’t just theory. It’s real, it’s working, and it’s growing fast.
Developer experience? Smooth.
One of the best things about SP1 is how easy it is to use.
You write code in Rust.
You don’t need to learn new DSLs.
You can test, debug, and deploy just like you're building a normal app.
It even has Ethereum-native features (like elliptic curve precompiles) built in.
It’s built by devs, for devs — no gatekeeping.
SP1 vs others?
There are other zkVMs out there (like RISC Zero), but SP1 hits a sweet spot:
Better for blockchain-type workloads (bridges, rollups, onchain apps).
Easier to use out of the box.
Plays nicely with Rust devs and Ethereum infra.
If you need general-purpose compute, maybe others win. But if you're building real onchain products and want proof, SP1 delivers.
More than just tech — it’s a movement
Succinct is not just building a faster zkVM or a better network. They’re creating a new way for developers to use zero-knowledge without friction.
No cryptography degrees. No overkill hardware. No waiting hours to generate proofs.
Just write code. Prove it. Done.
Final Thoughts
Succinct is changing the ZK game by focusing on simplicity, speed, and openness.
SP1 gives you a fast, flexible zkVM.
The Prover Network lets anyone scale trustless compute.
And the $PROVE token keeps it decentralized and fair.
ZK is finally reaching builders — not just researchers.
Succinct is showin
g the way.