ETHPrague 2024

The Future of zk-VM: Pioneering Optimization Techniques and Challenges
06-02, 16:00–16:25 (Europe/Prague), Flower Stage

Valida zk-VM is the fastest, fully open-source and LLVM-compatible zk-VM, achieving unmatched performance while maintaining developer productivity. Our talk will explore the key strategies, design decisions, and trade-offs we made that enabled this breakthrough.


  1. Understanding zk-VM Architecture: Deep dive into the architecture of Valida zk-VM, highlighting design principles and why certain decisions are pivotal for optimization.
  2. Identifying and Overcoming Bottlenecks: Analysis of common bottlenecks in zk-VMs, including computational challenges, memory constraints, and scalability issues. Share insights into how these bottlenecks were identified and strategies employed to mitigate them.
  3. Advanced Optimization Techniques: Presentation of specific techniques and methodologies used to optimize zk-VMs. This covers algorithmic improvements, efficient coding practices, parallel processing, and more.
  4. Case Studies or Examples: Real-world applications or theoretical models that illustrate the impact of optimization on zk-VM performance. These examples can help bridge theory with practice, offering tangible insights.
  5. Future Directions and Innovations: Exploration of emerging trends, potential advancements in zk-VM technology, and how these developments could shape the future of privacy-preserving computations and blockchain technologies.
  6. Practical Implications and Applications: Discussion on the broader impact of optimized zk-VMs on industries such as finance, healthcare, and beyond. Highlight how these advancements contribute to secure, efficient, and scalable solutions.
  7. Community and Collaboration: Encouragement for continued research, development, and collaboration within the community to address unresolved challenges and unlock new possibilities in zk-VM technology.

I co-founded Delendum (a cryptography focused research lab) and am working on new products that adapt to the needs of more distributed economic frameworks at Lita.