Proof Efficiency in Aleo. Optimizations for Finite Fields and Witness Construction
Aleo is a privacy-first blockchain that uses zk-SNARKs
Encryption Mechanisms in Aleo. From ElGamal to Viewing Keys.
Encryption Mechanisms in Aleo
Type System in Leo. Enforcing Privacy Through Language-Level Guarantees
Leo makes privacy a type: values are public/private (private by default), the compiler blocks leaks and enforces non-interference, and visibility propagates across rich types and UTXO records—privacy-by-construction, stronger than ZoKrates/Circom and similar to Noir.
Leo Compiler. From Source Code to Arithmetic Circuits
Leo is a Rust-like language for zero-knowledge applications. Its compiler not only produces efficient R1CS circuits but also formally verifies every step, making it unique among ZK DSLs. With built-in testing, package management, and Aleo’s universal SNARK support, Leo lets developers write high-level code that compiles into provably correct circuits.
AleoBFT. Formal Specification and Security Analysis of a Hybrid Consensus
AleoBFT - hybrid consensus protocol combining DAG-based Narwhal and Bullshark with dynamic Proof-of-Stake committees and a novel Proof-of-Succinct-Work (PoSW) incentive. This article explores its formal design, security guarantees, instant finality, and how it outperforms protocols like Tendermint, HotStuff, and Ouroboros while enabling decentralized zk-SNARK proving at scale
Designing State in Aleo. Merkle-Tree Model for Records and Transaction Storage
Aleo’s innovative state model, which blends a UTXO-like record system with Merkle trees and zero-knowledge proofs for scalable, private smart contract execution. Each transaction in Aleo consumes and creates encrypted records, with their validity proven via SNARKs and Merkle membership proofs. The blockchain maintains a global Merkle root to ensure state integrity, enabling efficient verification and minimal on-chain data. Compared to Ethereum, Zcash, and Solana, Aleo offers a unique architecture that combines privacy, scalability, and verifiability — ideal for next-gen ZK applications.
Microarchitecture of snarkVM. Analyzing the Virtual Machine for Zero-Knowledge Computations
snarkVM is Aleo’s zero-knowledge virtual machine that runs Leo programs off-chain and generates zk-SNARKs to prove correctness—without revealing private data. It compiles code into R1CS circuits, enforces privacy via encrypted records, and integrates directly with Aleo’s ledger. Built in Rust, snarkVM enables powerful private apps like confidential finance and secure voting.
P3 - Precompiles in SP1. The Secret to Lightning-Fast Performance
SP1 supercharges zero-knowledge proofs using precompiles — optimized syscalls for heavy operations like hashing and elliptic curve math, making them up to 1000× faster. This article explains how SP1 uses ecall to tap into specialized circuits and why its modular design makes it one of the most efficient zkVMs today.
Elliptic Curves in Aleo. From BLS12-377 to Record Encoding
Aleo is a privacy-first layer-1 blockchain where general-purpose programs execute off-chain with zero-knowledge proofs, and only concise proofs and encrypted records are published on-chain. At its core is a dual-curve SNARK system: BLS12-377 for efficient pairing-based proofs and BW6-761 for recursive verification. Records use elliptic curve encryption over an Edwards form of BLS12-377, ensuring that data like addresses and balances remain private unless marked public. Transactions operate over a UTXO-like model with commitments and serial numbers to prevent double spends. Aleo programs are written in Leo, with privacy built into the type system and cryptography handled under the hood.