Polygon Unveils 'Type-1' Prover Upgrade, Promising to Transform EVM Chains With Zero-Knowledge Proof

Polygon Labs has rolled out its latest innovation, the “Type-1 prover.” This upgrade could introduce a new era for Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible chains, enabling the generation of zero-knowledge proofs while ensuring transaction costs plummet.

Polygon Unveils ‘Type-1’ Prover to Enhance Ethereum’s Ecosystem

Polygon Labs has launched the Type-1 zkevm prover upgrade. Developed in collaboration with Toposware, this next-generation prover is designed to generate zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs for any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible chain, including sidechains, optimistic rollups, and Ethereum itself. The upgrade promises to dramatically lower transaction costs to an average of $0.002-$0.003.

The Type-1 prover, now open-source and accessible as of Thursday, aligns closely with Ethereum’s execution logic. This alignment ensures that EVM chains can transition to ZK Layer two networks without any need for forks or modifications, thus preserving the original Ethereum experience.
According to Polygon Labs, this advancement is a part of their broader vision under the Polygon 2.0 roadmap, focusing on interconnectivity and the integration of ZK cryptography into their ecosystem. The release is expected to bolster the Polygon ecosystem by enabling EVM chains to upgrade seamlessly to ZK and tap into shared state, liquidity, and user-base.
The Type-1 prover is paired with Polygon’s Aggregation layer, facilitating access to Ethereum’s extensive liquidity and value. This development offers an alternative to the previously used Type-2 prover, which lacked full Ethereum equivalence.

Notable blockchain projects such as Immutable Zkevm, Manta Network, and Canto Public have already indicated plans to incorporate the Type-1 prover into their systems.
Polygon’s initiative has caught the attention of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who has emphasized the importance of such technologies in achieving parity with Layer one blockchains.
The release is open-sourced under MIT and Apache 2.0 licenses and is available for immediate use. This initiative is expected to drive further adoption of ZK proofs within the blockchain community, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution for Ethereum compatibility and beyond.
Do you think this Type-1 prover will be adopted by many EVM compatible chains? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.