Venture Firm A16z Releases Jolt, a ‘Zero-Knowledge Virtual Machine’

Alongside establishing a16z as a reputable research and development company, this new code may assist in expanding the capabilities of blockchains and several of a16z’s invested businesses.

Virtual machines, often called VMs, are software versions of computing environments which function as the base for blockchains and various applications. The “zero-knowledge” (ZK) aspect of Jolt signifies a cryptographic technique that is used in the background of a16z’s VM – enabling the virtual computer to process and authenticate data while maintaining strict privacy and security guidelines.

Jolt presently works with RISC-V ISA, an open-source standard for creating processors, and software developed using the Rust programming language. Developers can utilize Jolt to “validate the execution” of their applications as explained by Eddy Lazzarin, CTO at a16z crypto. The program generates a “proof,” demonstrating that the output results from the accurate running of the program itself. A16z’s key proposition with Jolt is its claimed 10x faster performance compared to its closest competitor, RISC Zero.

ZK cryptography offers uses beyond the realm of blockchain technology, yet research in this area has experienced significant growth alongside the industry’s expansion. The output of ZK programs, referred to as “zero-knowledge proofs,” have emerged as a popular solution for reducing transaction fees, enhancing processing speeds, and maintaining privacy within blockchain systems.

Read more: What Are Zero-Knowledge Proofs?

Many new Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) variants, specifically those focused on zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines or zkEVMs, have arisen in recent times. These zkEVMs, backed by investors like A16z and Matter Labs, aim to enhance Ethereum’s functionality by making it faster and more secure.

In simpler terms, ZK proofs allow for the heavy lifting of verifying transactions to be done outside of the blockchain, reducing the load on each node. The blockchain then only needs to check and confirm the validity of these proofs. This method ensures that every transaction is authentically processed without requiring all nodes to handle every single verification task.

Although Jolt hasn’t been customized for Ethereum or other blockchains yet, a16z believes its technology can be integrated into zkEVMs and other ZK applications on the blockchain. According to Lazzarin, fine-tuning specific circuits makes them fragile and challenging to get right. Instead, our methods are more straightforward and quicker.

In August of the previous year, Andreesen Horowitz began its exploration into deep tech by announcing two initiatives: Jolt, which is being launched now, and Lasso, a unique approach for energizing Zero-Knowledge systems that supports Jolt’s coding process.

Read more: Andreessen Horowitz Wades Into Crypto Tech Research with ZK Projects ‘Jolt’ and ‘Lasso’

In Lazzarin’s perspective, a16z initiated their deep-tech exploration to enhance their reputation as investors: “Why not obtain funding from someone who is merely wealthy, when you can secure it from someone actively involved and pushing boundaries in the crypto realm, tackling its most challenging issues?”

Another perspective from Lazzarin is that a16z’s research initiatives, including the open-sourced Jolt code, can significantly contribute to improving a16z’s financial performance in various ways beyond just this moment. As long-term investors, we don’t focus on short-term profits but instead aim for the fastest progress in the industry over the next five to ten years. To achieve this goal, our primary motivation is to support the advancement of everyone through publicly available resources that we do not monetize.