zkAccount

zkAccount Abstraction, abbreviated as zkAA, bridges traditional web2 identities with the decentralized web3 blockchain.

At its heart, zkAccount harnesses the capabilities of zero-knowledge proofs.

Two-Step Process

1. Registration: Initially, users anchor their conventional web2 identity to a blockchain contract. This identity undergoes encryption, transforming it into a hashed version. The genuineness and integrity of this hashed identity are subsequently validated through a zero-knowledge proof.

2. Publication: Upon successful registration, users are empowered to publish transactions using their registered identity. For every blockchain action, they craft a distinct zero-knowledge proof. This proof vouches for the legitimacy of their hashed identity.

Implementation

zkAA utilizes the Zokrates toolkit for crafting its zero-knowledge proofs. This toolkit streamlines the validation of cryptographic operations, such as EdDSA signatures and sha-256 hash computations.

What's more, Zokrates offers a plug-and-play contract for proof verification, making the integration of zkAA with existing blockchain infrastructures a breeze.

Applications

zkAA's practicality is one of its hallmark features. For example, only those users who've verified their identity via traditional avenues (like signing into a Google account) can engage with specific decentralized finance (de-fi) contracts within the blockchain.

Building zkAA was a meticulous process that combined cutting-edge cryptographic techniques to bridge the web2 and web3 worlds.

Core Technology - Zero-Knowledge Proofs

At the heart of zkAA is the concept of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). ZKPs allow for the verification of information without revealing the actual data. This ensures that while a user's identity is authenticated, the specifics remain confidential.

Integration with Account Abstraction

zkAA integrates ZKPs with account abstraction, a concept that detaches user identifiers from traditional blockchain addresses. This abstraction ensures that users can interact with the blockchain using their web2 identities without being tied to a specific blockchain address.

Zokrates Toolkit

For the generation of zero-knowledge proofs, zkAA employs the Zokrates toolkit. Zokrates is designed for creating, compiling, and executing ZKP-based smart contracts on platforms like Ethereum.

Zokrates offers a contract for proof verification, which facilitated the deployment of zkAA's verification mechanisms onto the blockchain.

Two-Phase System

The system operates in two main phases: Registration and Publication.

One of the standout features of zkAA is the omission of signature verification (EdDSA) within the zero-knowledge proof circuit during the publication phase. This is based on the assumption that the registered identity has already been verified during the registration phase. This approach streamlines the execution process, making it more efficient.