Towards a zk-SNARK compiler for Wolfram language
Armando Cruz
TL;DR
The paper investigates building a zk-SNARK compiler for Wolfram language by extending the Pinocchio protocol to the Wolfram subset, embedding the first four pipeline stages of a code-to-proof tool. It leverages the ZeroKnowledgeProofs paclet to translate programs into Quadratic Arithmetic Programs (QAPs) and outlines how arithmetic circuits support the encoding, with a concrete 3-coloring example illustrating the process. The work discusses applications to blockchain privacy (Zcash-style shielded proofs) and election integrity, and also proposes a privacy-preserving Wolfram code review workflow. The main contribution is a practical, initial implementation framework for a Wolfram-focused zk-SNARK compiler, plus a detailed roadmap for key generation and verification key production in future work, enabling scalable, non-interactive proofs for arbitrary Wolfram computations.
Abstract
Zero-knowledge proofs (zk-Proofs) are communication protocols by which a prover can demonstrate to a verifier that it possesses a solution to a given public problem without revealing the content of the solution. Arbitrary computations can be transformed into an interactive zk-Proof so anyone is convinced that it was executed correctly without knowing what was executed on, having huge implications for digital currency. Despite this, interactive proofs are not suited for blockchain applications but novel protocols such as zk-SNARKs have made zero-knowledge ledgers like Zcash possible. This project builds upon Wolfram's ZeroKnowledgeProofs paclet and implements a zk-SNARK compiler based on Pinocchio protocol.