MIR PROTOCOL ZK ROLLUP

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 20:36 | Written by: Michael Saylor

Imagine a world where Ethereum transactions are lightning-fast and incredibly cheap, without sacrificing security. As part of the deal, Mir is rebranding to Polygon Zero, and the project will build a ZK-rollup based on its ZK-proof technology. Zero-knowledge proofs are a cryptography technology that verifies the information, such as a transaction on the blockchain, without revealing the specific details or contents of that information, thus keeping theThis is the promise of ZK rollups, and the Mir Protocol, now known as Polygon Zero, is at the forefront of this innovation.The acquisition of Mir Protocol by Polygon in a deal valued at around $400 million, involving 190 Million MATIC tokens and $100 million worth of The Mir Protocol (MIR), signals a major commitment to zero-knowledge (ZK) technology and its potential to revolutionize the Ethereum ecosystem. 什么是Mir Protocol. Mir是一家零知识证明技术（ZK-proof）的以太坊扩容初创公司。ZK-proof是一种加密工具，可以用于创建ZK-rollups。ZK-rollups又可以处理交易，而且不需要将所有交易数据都发布到以太坊上，以此来减少以太坊上的使用区块，进而提高扩展性和降低gasBut what exactly is a Mir Protocol ZK rollup, and why is it so important? Mir Protocol is a distributed ledger for decentralized applications. Use the CB Insights Platform to explore Mir Protocol's full profile. (ZK rollup) space afterThis article will delve into the intricacies of this groundbreaking technology, exploring its origins, functionalities, benefits, and its role in shaping the future of decentralized applications (dApps) on Ethereum. Off-chain virtual machine (VM): While the zK roll-up protocol lives on Ethereum, transaction execution and state storage happen on a separate virtual machine independent of the EVM. This off-chain VM is the execution environment for transactions on the zK roll-up and serves as the secondary layer or layer 2 for the zK roll-up protocol.We will also cover the transition from Mir Protocol to Polygon Zero, and its integration into the broader Polygon ecosystem.Get ready to explore the world of efficient and secure Ethereum scaling solutions.

Understanding ZK Rollups and the Scaling Problem

Ethereum, the world's leading platform for decentralized applications, faces a significant challenge: scalability.As the network grows, transaction fees (gas) increase, and transaction speeds slow down, hindering widespread adoption. ZK rollups offer a compelling solution by processing transactions off-chain and then verifying them on-chain using zero-knowledge proofs. On December 9, Polygon co-founder Mihailo Bjelic announced that the project has acquired the Ethereum scaling startup Mir in a $400 million deal. The Mir team of cryptographers and engineers are joining Polygon in order to create a highly-scalable, Ethereum-compatible ZK rollup called Polygon Zero. Mihailo Bjelic: Polygon Is Focused on Zero-Knowledge Cryptography as the End Game forThis approach drastically reduces the load on the Ethereum mainnet, resulting in faster and cheaper transactions.

What are Zero-Knowledge Proofs?

Zero-knowledge proofs are a cryptographic technique that allows one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. What are the most popular ZK-rollup blockchains? The top ZK-rollup blockchains include StarkNet, zkSync, and Polygon Zero. 1. StarkNet. StarkNet, a is permissionless decentralized ZK-rollup that operates as a Layer 2 network over Ethereum enabling dApps to scale.Think of it like proving you know the solution to a puzzle without actually showing the solution. Mir gathered a team of talented cryptographers and engineers, and after almost two years of work developed the world s fastest ZK scaling technology. The Mir team is now joining Polygon in order to utilize this groundbreaking technology and build our new project - Polygon Zero, a highly-scalable, Ethereum-compatible ZK Rollup.This is incredibly powerful for maintaining privacy and security while verifying transactions on a blockchain.

How ZK Rollups Work

ZK rollups work by bundling multiple transactions into a single batch and executing them off-chain on a separate virtual machine (VM). The Mir team is joining Polygon in order to create a highly-scalable, Ethereum-compatible ZK rollup called Polygon Zero.This off-chain VM handles the transaction processing and state storage independently of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).Once the transactions are processed, a cryptographic proof, based on zero-knowledge technology, is generated to verify the validity of the entire batch.This proof is then submitted to the Ethereum mainnet, allowing the network to confirm the transactions without needing to re-execute them.This significantly reduces the computational burden on Ethereum and leads to faster and cheaper transactions.

The Genesis of Mir Protocol and its Core Technology

Mir Protocol was a dedicated team of cryptographers and engineers focused on developing cutting-edge ZK scaling technology for Ethereum. Polygon claims that Mir Protocol has the most efficient and fastest ZK-proofs algorithms which allow it to scale the production of proofs and validate more transactions from a single record. The Mir team has invested a lot of time developing and fine-tuning their ZK-proof technology called Plonky2, Polygon cofounder Mihailo Bjelic says.They recognized the potential of ZK proofs to solve the scalability challenges facing Ethereum and set out to create the world's fastest ZK scaling solution. ZK roll-up, or Zero Knowledge roll-up, is an off-chain protocol designed to reduce the load on a blockchain. ZK-operators bundle transactions into batches that are then executed off-chain and submit a summary of the changes to represent all the transactions in a batch rather than sending each transaction individually.After almost two years of development, they achieved a significant breakthrough with their Plonky2 proving mechanism.

The Significance of Plonky2

Plonky2 is a recursive proving system developed by the Mir Protocol team.Recursive proofs allow for the aggregation of multiple proofs into a single, smaller proof. Of course we know by now about the $1 billion pledge Polygon made towards zk scaling. Initially, Mir was building a zk enabled chain (so their own separate L1 chain), but now they ll be building a decentralized zk-rollup on top of Polygon. This acquisition also came with a name change, from the Mir protocol, to Polygon Zero.This is crucial for scaling ZK rollups because it reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored on-chain and the computational cost of verifying transactions.Plonky2 is particularly noteworthy for its speed and efficiency, making it one of the fastest ZK-proof algorithms available.Polygon claims that this allows it to scale the production of proofs and validate more transactions from a single record.

Before its acquisition, Mir was initially building a zk enabled chain (so their own separate L1 chain).Now they will be building a decentralized zk-rollup on top of Polygon.

Polygon Zero: Mir Protocol's Transformation

The acquisition of Mir Protocol by Polygon marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of ZK scaling technology.As part of the deal, Mir Protocol rebranded to Polygon Zero, signifying its role as a key component of Polygon's ambitious scaling strategy. The whole team of Mir protocol will be joining Polygon zero, whose aim is to build the worlds fastest ZK scaling technology. The deal involves 190 Million MATIC tokens and $100 million worth ofThe entire Mir team joined Polygon to focus on building a highly-scalable, Ethereum-compatible ZK rollup leveraging their Plonky2 technology.

Polygon's Commitment to ZK Technology

Polygon has made a significant commitment to ZK technology, investing $1 billion in ZK-rollup-related efforts. Polygon committed to investing $1 billion in ZK-rollup-related efforts in August and since then has announced two acquisitions worth $650 million: Hermez and Mir. It also recently announced Polygon Miden, a STARK-based Ethereum-compatible rollup, and Polygon Nightfall, a privacy-focused rollup built in collaboration with EY.This investment includes the acquisitions of Hermez and Mir, as well as the development of Polygon Miden (a STARK-based rollup) and Polygon Nightfall (a privacy-focused rollup built in collaboration with EY). The Mir Protocol (MIR) The Mir Protocol (MIR) is a scaling solution for Ethereum designed to use ZK-roll ups. In fact, the project is in the process of developing additional ZK roll up solutions. Just last month, MIR was acquired by Polygon (MATIC) in a deal valued at around $400 million. Polygon is already one of the cheapest chains in the market.These initiatives demonstrate Polygon's vision of a multi-faceted scaling solution that leverages the strengths of different ZK technologies.

Polygon co-founder Mihailo Bjelic stated that Polygon is focused on zero-knowledge cryptography as the end game for scaling Ethereum.

Key Features and Benefits of Polygon Zero

Polygon Zero aims to provide a superior ZK rollup solution with several key features and benefits:

High Scalability: Leveraging Plonky2, Polygon Zero offers exceptional transaction throughput, enabling Ethereum to handle a significantly higher volume of transactions.
Ethereum Compatibility: Polygon Zero is designed to be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing developers to easily migrate their existing dApps and smart contracts without significant modifications.
Low Transaction Fees: By processing transactions off-chain, Polygon Zero significantly reduces gas fees, making Ethereum more accessible to a wider range of users.
Security: ZK rollups provide a high level of security by verifying transactions on-chain using cryptographic proofs. مجموع سرمایه های مسدود شده ZK-rollups. نایلوال در پاسخ به این سوال که آیا تمام پروژه های مبتنی بر پالیگان به فناوری های ZK-rollup منتقل می شوند یا خیر، گفت پس از آنکه این فناوری ها آزمایش شدند، ما با تمام قوا به افزایش پذیرشThis ensures that transactions are valid and cannot be tampered with.
Fast Transaction Confirmation: Polygon Zero aims to provide fast transaction confirmation times, improving the user experience for dApp users.

Addressing the Need for Ethereum Scaling

Polygon Zero directly addresses the pressing need for Ethereum scaling solutions. 什么是Mir Protocol Mir是一家零知识证明技术（ZK-proof）的以太坊扩容初创公司。ZK-proof是一种加密工具，可以用于创建ZK-rollups。ZK-rollups又可以处理交易，而且不需要将所有交易数据都发布到以太坊上，以此来减少以太坊上的使用区块，进而提高扩展性和降低gas费用By providing a scalable, secure, and Ethereum-compatible ZK rollup, it enables the development of more complex and demanding dApps without compromising performance or affordability.This will unlock new possibilities for DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and other applications on Ethereum.

Comparing Polygon Zero with Other ZK Rollup Solutions

While Polygon Zero is a promising ZK rollup solution, it's important to consider other projects in the space, such as StarkNet and zkSync. These recursive proofs come from Plonky2, a proving mechanism developed by the team behind Mir Protocol. Mir Protocol was a project exploring recursive ZK proofs to scale decentralized applications (dApps) until the team's acquisition by Polygon. Mir Protocol s core team continued to work on scalable proofs, leading to the launch of Plonky2Each solution has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the optimal choice may depend on the specific requirements of a particular application.

StarkNet: StarkNet is a permissionless decentralized ZK-rollup that operates as a Layer 2 network over Ethereum.It uses STARK proofs, another type of zero-knowledge proof, which are known for their scalability and security.
zkSync: zkSync is another popular ZK rollup solution that aims to provide fast and low-cost transactions on Ethereum.It uses a different type of ZK proof called SNARKs.

Choosing the Right ZK Rollup

The choice between Polygon Zero, StarkNet, zkSync, and other ZK rollup solutions will depend on factors such as:

EVM Compatibility: How easily can existing Ethereum dApps be migrated?
Transaction Throughput: How many transactions can the rollup process per second?
Security Model: What are the security assumptions of the rollup?
Development Ecosystem: How mature and well-supported is the development ecosystem?

Practical Applications of Polygon Zero

The potential applications of Polygon Zero are vast and far-reaching.Its high scalability, low transaction fees, and Ethereum compatibility make it suitable for a wide range of use cases:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Polygon Zero can enable more efficient and affordable DeFi applications, such as lending, borrowing, and trading.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): Polygon Zero can reduce the cost of minting, trading, and transferring NFTs, making them more accessible to creators and collectors.
Gaming: Polygon Zero can enable the development of more complex and engaging blockchain games with faster transaction speeds and lower fees.
Supply Chain Management: Polygon Zero can improve the efficiency and transparency of supply chain management by providing a secure and scalable platform for tracking goods and verifying transactions.
Identity Management: Polygon Zero can facilitate secure and private identity management solutions on the blockchain.

Example: DeFi on Polygon Zero

Imagine a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on Polygon Zero.Traders can execute trades with significantly lower fees and faster confirmation times compared to trading on the Ethereum mainnet.This would attract more users and liquidity to the DEX, leading to a more vibrant and efficient trading ecosystem.

The Future of Ethereum Scaling with Polygon Zero

Polygon Zero represents a significant step forward in the quest for Ethereum scaling.Its innovative ZK rollup technology, combined with Polygon's commitment to ZK research and development, positions it as a key player in the future of the Ethereum ecosystem.As Polygon Zero matures and gains wider adoption, it has the potential to unlock new possibilities for decentralized applications and drive the mass adoption of blockchain technology.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Polygon Zero holds immense promise, it also faces certain challenges:

Complexity: ZK rollup technology is complex and requires specialized expertise to develop and maintain.
Adoption: Convincing developers and users to adopt new scaling solutions can be challenging.
Security Audits: Rigorous security audits are essential to ensure the safety and reliability of ZK rollups.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities for Polygon Zero are enormous.By overcoming these hurdles and continuing to innovate, Polygon Zero can play a vital role in shaping the future of Ethereum and the broader blockchain landscape.

FAQ: Answering Your Questions about Mir Protocol ZK Rollup (Polygon Zero)

What happened to Mir Protocol?

Mir Protocol was acquired by Polygon and rebranded as Polygon Zero.The Mir team is now focused on building a ZK rollup within the Polygon ecosystem.

Is Polygon Zero live?

While details on the exact launch date of Polygon Zero's mainnet are subject to change, the project is actively under development and nearing release.Keep an eye on Polygon's official announcements for the latest updates.

What are the benefits of using Polygon Zero?

The primary benefits include significantly lower transaction fees, faster transaction speeds, and enhanced scalability for Ethereum applications, all while maintaining a strong level of security.

How does Polygon Zero compare to Polygon PoS?

Polygon PoS is a sidechain that uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, while Polygon Zero is a ZK rollup that relies on zero-knowledge proofs for verification.They offer different scaling approaches and cater to different use cases.The Polygon ecosystem aims to incorporate both types of scaling solutions.

Where can I learn more about Polygon Zero?

Visit the official Polygon website and follow their announcements for the latest updates on Polygon Zero.You can also find information on their blog, social media channels, and developer documentation.

Conclusion: The Dawn of Scalable Ethereum with Polygon Zero

The journey of Mir Protocol to Polygon Zero represents a significant leap towards achieving scalable and efficient Ethereum transactions.The innovative use of Plonky2, a groundbreaking ZK-proof technology, promises to revolutionize the way dApps are built and used on Ethereum.By understanding the core concepts of ZK rollups, the benefits of Polygon Zero, and its role within the larger Polygon ecosystem, developers and users alike can prepare for a future where Ethereum is accessible, affordable, and capable of handling the demands of a global user base.The potential of Polygon Zero to unlock new possibilities for DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and other applications is immense.As the project matures and gains wider adoption, it has the power to transform the blockchain landscape and usher in a new era of decentralized innovation.Keep an eye on Polygon Zero as it continues to develop and shape the future of Ethereum scaling.Are you ready to be a part of the future of Ethereum?

To learn more about Polygon Zero and other Polygon projects, visit the official Polygon website today!