The introduction of Boojum boosts digital self-ownership

Boojum is zkSync Era’s latest proof method for radical decentralization and has been upgraded for transporting zkSync Era to STARK boosted proof method. This will offer high-level functions on consumer-grade hardware. 

Boojum is a Rust-oriented cryptographic library that is utilized for executing the scaled version of ZK circuits for the sake of ZK Stack, as well as zkSync Era. Boojam was created with the aim of carrying out cryptographic scaling sans the need for any form of restoration and disturbing the user in the bargain. 

From the word go, it has been zkSync’s intention to further the concept of individual freedom by bringing self-ownership to the masses. For this, it was necessary to create a blockchain network that has the features of being trustless as well as permissionless. It also needed to be safe and cost-effective, along with being user-friendly and coming with endless upgrading possibilities. This is where Boojum comes into the picture with its high-level capabilities. Further, it provides lessened hardware needs for decentralization. 

It has been a while now that the team members have been engaged in the building of the upgrade and are currently in the process of positioning it on Mainnet. The entire structure of the zkSync Era was built with the intention of being able to scale every segment individually, along with the proof method. 

For this, there was the utilization of Merkle tree data structures for storing information related to the status of the network. In order to make the Merkle tree adaptable, a non-algebraic hash function, especially Blake 2s, was used. In the case of the scaling of the proof method, all that is needed is to re-execute Blake 2s in-circuit.

While the process of the development of zkSync circuits and Boojum arithmetization library was in progress, a thorough external and internal auditing was carried out. The testing for the same was done with the utilization of automated as well as manual testing methods. 

Currently, the latest proof method, as well as the previous one, is going through a testing phase. There is the creation and authentication of shadow proofs required for Mainnet blocks. In the case of the mainnet version of zkSync Era, there is no need for shadow proofs. Once everything is above board, will come the question of migration. Boojum will be responsible for a furthered safe, as well as upgradable and effective zkEVM.