Aleph Zero Unveils ZK-Privacy EVM Layer 2 and zkOS Privacy Framework

• Aleph Zero launches a testnet for its groundbreaking ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution, promising subsecond proving times and seamless compatibility with EVM.
• It also introduces zkOS, a universal Privacy-as-a-Service framework that supports private transactions and high-throughput applications across both WASM and EVM-compatible networks.

Privacy-first ecosystem of blockchain solutions, Aleph Zero has recently launched a testnet for its ZK-privacy EVM Layer 2 solution, which is the first of its kind to be compatible with EVM and capable of subsecond ZK proving times. The new solution, powered by Arbitrum Orbit on Gelato RaaS, significantly improves the end-user experience by offering nearly instant on-chain privacy.

“Aleph Zero EVM uses Arbitrum Orbits' advanced Web3 scaling stack–with the most performant developer tooling–to create the most advanced privacy-enhancing blockchain infrastructure on the market,” said Luis Schliesske, Founder of Gelato. “Privacy will become a major narrative in 2024 and beyond, as more mainstream use cases emerge.

Aleph Zero has also unveiled its strategic vision for developing zkOS, a universal, chain-independent zero-knowledge privacy framework. Designed as a Privacy-as-a-Service (PaaS) system, zkOS facilitates easy integration of applications on both WASM and EVM-compatible networks. 

This move expands the reach of Aleph Zero's ecosystem to a larger pool of EVM users and signals its initial steps toward potential growth across multiple blockchain networks. 

With zkOS, users can perform private transactions and engage with decentralized applications (dApps) while safeguarding their personal data. This technology supports high-throughput applications, including privacy-enhanced DeFi platforms, real-world assets, AI, and enterprise solutions, thereby extending the benefits of privacy technologies to a broader audience.

Initial benchmarks indicate that Aleph Zero’s zkOS zero-knowledge proofs can be processed within 600-800 milliseconds on MacBooks (M1-M3 processors) and Intel Core i7-i9 PCs using Safari and Chrome.

“Privacy is still mostly unsolved; it's costly, complex to use and build, and its use cases lack economic incentives. With zkOS by Aleph Zero and the zk-privacy EVM layer 2, we aim to change that not only in the Aleph Zero ecosystem, but also in the broader Ethereum ecosystem thanks to the flexibility of Arbitrum Orbit’s stack and our collaboration with the idOS network,” said Antoni Zolciak, Co-founder of Aleph Zero.

Aleph Zero EVM is a specialized ZK-privacy Layer 2 rollup leveraging the Aleph Zero WASM L1 for data availability. It incorporates Arbitrum Orbit via Gelato RaaS and Arbitrum Anytrust DAC technology, creating a fast, secure, and scalable environment. 

With block times as low as 250ms and capacity for thousands of transactions per second, it ranks among the quickest EVM chains. The Layer 2 Developer Testnet features a broad range of tools, including Gelato's web3 services, Relayers, Account Abstraction, Functions, VRF, and third-party infrastructure such as oracles and multi-sigs, positioning it as a versatile platform.

The testnet is open to builders and early adopters, with the Developer Mainnet launch scheduled for Q3 2024. Post-launch, developers can utilize optional privacy features. The zkOS MVP, which includes ZK identity functions and private ERC-20 operations, is anticipated by Q3 2024, with more advanced capabilities expected in Q1 2025.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah