Zero-knowledge (ZK) technology continues to shape the future of blockchain scalability and security, and Polygon is once again at the forefront with the release of Plonky3, its latest zero-knowledge proving system. Designed as a flexible, open-source toolkit, Plonky3 marks a significant evolution from its predecessor, Plonky2, and underscores Polygon’s long-term commitment to advancing ZK infrastructure across the decentralized ecosystem.
What Is a Zero-Knowledge Proving System?
At the heart of every zero-knowledge rollup (ZK rollup) lies a proving system—a cryptographic engine responsible for generating succinct proofs that validate batches of off-chain transactions. These proofs are then submitted to a base layer blockchain like Ethereum, enabling fast, secure, and scalable transaction finality without compromising decentralization.
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In simple terms, a proving system ensures that a transaction was executed correctly or that a blockchain’s state has been updated accurately—without revealing any underlying data. This efficiency and privacy make ZK rollups one of the most promising paths forward for Ethereum scaling.
Introducing Plonky3: A Modular Toolkit for Developers
Polygon Labs, the core development team behind the Polygon ecosystem, unveiled Plonky3 as a major upgrade to its ZK stack. Unlike Plonky2, which focused heavily on speed through hardware optimization, Plonky3 is built as a modular, open-source toolkit that empowers developers to build custom virtual machines and proving systems using zero-knowledge cryptography.
According to Daniel Lubarov, co-founder at Polygon, Plonky2 had limitations:
“Plonky2 partly had some performance issues, and partly didn't quite have the generality that we needed.”
With Plonky3, Polygon aims to solve those constraints by offering greater flexibility, modularity, and developer control—making it easier to design application-specific rollups and tailor ZK proofs to unique use cases.
The new system is released under two widely adopted open-source licenses: MIT and Apache, ensuring broad accessibility and compatibility with enterprise and community-driven projects alike.
From Plonky2 to Plonky3: An Evolution in Speed and Design
When Polygon launched Plonky2 in 2022, it made headlines by claiming to be 100 times faster than existing alternatives at the time. The system was optimized for rapid recursive proof composition—a critical capability for layer-2 networks aiming to compress large volumes of transactions into compact verifiable summaries.
However, speed came at the cost of flexibility. Plonky2 was designed as a single-purpose proving system focused on performance, limiting its adaptability across diverse ZK applications.
Enter Plonky3: not just a faster prover, but an entire development framework. It integrates lessons learned from multiple internal teams—including Miden and Hermez—and unifies them under one cohesive codebase.
As Brendan Farmer, another Polygon co-founder, explained:
“The proving system is the underlying thing that allows us to do that efficiently and within a practical level of performance.”
This consolidation reflects Polygon’s strategic vision: moving from isolated ZK solutions to a unified, extensible architecture that supports innovation across the entire stack.
Polygon’s Strategic Push Into Zero-Knowledge Technology
Polygon hasn’t just evolved its tech—it’s systematically built one of the strongest ZK talent pools in the industry. Since 2021, the company has acquired several leading ZK research teams:
- Hermez Network: A ZK rollup focused on payments.
- Mir Protocol: A general-purpose ZKVM co-founded by Farmer and Lubarov.
- Toposware: A cryptography firm specializing in advanced ZK protocols.
These acquisitions brought top-tier researchers in-house and accelerated Polygon’s ability to innovate in areas like recursive proving, proof aggregation, and virtual machine design.
In 2023, Polygon became one of the first major projects to launch a production-ready ZK rollup with the mainnet beta of Polygon zkEVM, further cementing its role as a leader in Ethereum scaling.
Now, with Plonky3, Polygon is shifting focus from building standalone products to enabling others to build on top of its infrastructure—turning its ZK expertise into a foundational layer for the broader ecosystem.
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Why Open Source Matters for Web3 Innovation
By open-sourcing Plonky3 under permissive licenses, Polygon fosters collaboration, transparency, and trust—core tenets of Web3 development. Open-source toolkits allow:
- Independent security audits
- Community-driven improvements
- Faster iteration and bug fixes
- Interoperability across projects
This move aligns with a growing trend in blockchain: infrastructure providers offering modular tools rather than closed platforms. The goal is not just to dominate a niche but to become the default foundation for future ZK applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Plonky3?
Plonky3 is Polygon’s newest zero-knowledge proving system, designed as an open-source toolkit that enables developers to build customizable ZK-based virtual machines and rollups.
How does Plonky3 differ from Plonky2?
While Plonky2 was optimized for speed and recursion on specific hardware, Plonky3 is more flexible and modular. It serves as a full development framework rather than a single-purpose prover.
Is Plonky3 available for public use?
Yes. Plonky3 is publicly available under the MIT and Apache open-source licenses, allowing free use, modification, and distribution for both commercial and non-commercial projects.
What are zero-knowledge rollups (ZK rollups)?
ZK rollups are layer-2 scaling solutions that process transactions off-chain and submit cryptographic proofs to Ethereum. They offer high throughput, low fees, and strong security guarantees.
Who can benefit from using Plonky3?
Developers building ZK applications, rollups, or custom virtual machines will find Plonky3 especially valuable. Its modular design supports everything from gaming chains to enterprise dApps.
Does Plonky3 work with Ethereum?
Yes. Plonky3 is designed primarily for Ethereum-compatible networks and supports integration with Ethereum’s consensus layer for proof verification.
The Road Ahead: Building the Future of ZK Infrastructure
Polygon’s release of Plonky3 signals more than just a technical upgrade—it represents a shift toward ecosystem enablement. Rather than keeping its advancements proprietary, Polygon is betting on openness to drive wider adoption of ZK technology.
As demand grows for scalable, private, and interoperable blockchains, tools like Plonky3 will play a pivotal role in lowering barriers to entry and accelerating innovation.
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With continued investment in research, talent acquisition, and open-source contributions, Polygon is positioning itself not just as a layer-2 provider—but as a foundational pillar of the next generation of blockchain infrastructure.
Whether you're a developer exploring ZKVMs or an investor tracking the evolution of Ethereum scaling, Plonky3 is a milestone worth watching.