What is Web3?

Web3 is the decentralized internet. It makes no sense to discuss Web3 without mentioning decentralization.

The Impossible Triangle Premise

When we talk about decentralization, blockchain is indispensable. However, there is the blockchain trilemma: decentralization, scalability and security cannot be achieved simultaneously. Under certain technical conditions, improving one or two aspects inevitably sacrifices the others. For example, many current projects claim to achieve thousands of TPS (transactions per second), but sacrifice security and decentralization, resulting in weak security foundations.

What if there is technological progress?

Achieving all three aspects (decentralization, scalability, and security) is not impossible and requires technological advancements. When advancements occur, overall improvements become possible. For example, if computing power and network speed increase, TPS can be improved without sacrificing security and decentralization.

Technological Progress

The development of proof-of-storage has enabled the PoC (Proof of Capacity) consensus to achieve similar security to the PoW (Proof of Work) consensus. Developments in cryptography increase the security of transactions, balancing security and usability. Zero-knowledge proofs can offer far-reaching advancements, potentially supporting decentralization, security, and scalability.

What is Zero Knowledge Proof?

Zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method that allows one party (prover) to prove to another party (verifier) ​​that a statement is true without providing any additional information. In simple terms:

Proof: Uses a proof string (a fixed-length pseudo-random number) to prove something, such as a stored piece of data or a performed computation. Zero-Knowledge: Proves that a computation was performed without revealing the details of the computation or the input data.

For example, when storing data in the cloud, you don’t know if the platform has lost or tampered with your data. Zero-knowledge proofs could provide rigorous mathematical proof that the data is intact without the need to download and compare the data, allowing verification rather than trust.

Why Will Zero-Knowledge Proofs Be Ubiquitous?

Currently, the cost of using zero-knowledge proofs is very high, making them impractical in some situations. However, in decentralized networks, where the costs are inherently high, zero-knowledge proofs can enable off-chain computation with proofs submitted on-chain, ensuring security and scalability.

Zero-knowledge proofs can be used to expand layer-1 security (like Ethereum) and directly innovate layer-1 with zkVMs like Aleo that perform off-chain computation and on-chain verification.

Future of Web3 with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

A possible Web3 architecture might include:

Sufficiently decentralized blockchain networks that establish network trust. Zero-knowledge proof service layers that connect applications to secure blockchain networks. Decentralized storage networks that ensure data privacy and security. Applications that use centralized computation, constructing proofs through the zero-knowledge proof service layer and using blockchain networks for verification.

How Long Will It Take?

Currently, Web3 is still in its infancy, with applications mainly focused on finance (DeFi). The efficiency and economic viability of zero-knowledge proofs still need significant improvements. Once substantial advances are made, the era of the decentralized internet, or Web3, will arrive, transforming the current landscape.

The trend is clear: gradual and powerful technological advances in the long term. The singularity may be in the next cycle.