Problem
Zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-Rollups) have emerged as a primary Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, promising to increase throughput by executing transactions off-chain and verifying them with succinct cryptographic proofs. However, the landscape of ZK-Rollup implementations is fragmented, with each project employing different proving systems, data availability schemes, and security assumptions.
Approach
This fragmentation makes it difficult to objectively compare performance and security properties across rollups. We present a comprehensive framework for analyzing and benchmarking ZK-Rollups, conducting an in-depth examination of major deployed systems including zkSync Era, Polygon zkEVM, Scroll, Linea, and Taiko.
Results
Our analysis covers proving system efficiency, circuit sizes, proof generation times, and on-chain verification costs. We identify significant performance disparities and security trade-offs that are not apparent from individual project documentation, providing the first systematic comparative benchmark of the ZK-Rollup ecosystem.