TIP-0025: The Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol (TZKP) - Privacy-Preserving Verification#142
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TIP-0125: The Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol (TZKP) - Privacy-Preserving VerificationAbstractThis proposal introduces The Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol (TZKP), a comprehensive zero-knowledge proof system that enables private, verifiable computations and confidential transactions within the Talos ecosystem. Inspired by the need for privacy in blockchain systems and the concept of zero-knowledge proofs, TZKP allows AI agents and users to prove the validity of computations and transactions without revealing underlying sensitive data, enabling unprecedented privacy while maintaining verifiability. MotivationWhile previous TIPs have established various protocols for consensus (TIP-0116), storage (TIP-0118), oracles (TIP-0119), and cross-chain communication (TIP-0124), the Talos ecosystem lacks robust privacy-preserving mechanisms. Users and AI agents need:
Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin provides pseudonymity but not true privacy【turn1search7】. Modern blockchain systems need stronger privacy guarantees. Specification (Clarified for Broader Audience)1. Core Architecture (Simple Explanation)Think of TZKP as a "magical proof system" that lets you prove something is true without revealing any details about how it's true. Here's how it works:
2. Privacy Features (What You Can Do Privately)
3. ZK Circuits (The Building Blocks)Think of ZK circuits as special mathematical recipes that can prove things:
4. Integration Points (How It Works with Other Systems)
Potential Use Cases for TZKP (Specific Examples)1. Financial Privacy Use CasesPrivate Salary Payments
Private Investment Management
Private Lending and Borrowing
2. AI Agent Privacy Use CasesPrivate AI Model Training
Private AI Inference
Private Multi-Agent Coordination
3. Healthcare Privacy Use CasesPrivate Medical Records
Private Clinical Trials
Private Health Insurance
4. Business and Enterprise Use CasesPrivate Supply Chain Management
Private HR Operations
Private M&A Due Diligence
5. Gaming and NFT Use CasesPrivate Gaming Strategies
Private NFT Ownership
RationaleThe need for privacy in blockchain systems is well-established:
Key benefits for Talos ecosystem:
Implementation (Simplified Explanation)Phase 1: Building the Privacy System (Months 1-3)
Phase 2: Privacy Features (Months 4-6)
Phase 3: Advanced Features (Months 7-9)
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flowchart TD
A[Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol] --> B[Financial Privacy]
A --> C[AI Privacy]
A --> D[Healthcare Privacy]
A --> E[Business Privacy]
A --> F[Gaming Privacy]
B --> B1[Private Payments]
B --> B2[Private Investments]
B --> B3[Private Lending]
C --> C1[Private AI Training]
C --> C2[Private AI Inference]
C --> C3[Private Coordination]
D --> D1[Private Medical Records]
D --> D2[Private Clinical Trials]
D --> D3[Private Insurance]
E --> E1[Private Supply Chain]
E --> E2[Private HR Operations]
E --> E3[Private M&A Due Diligence]
F --> F1[Private Gaming]
F --> F2[Private NFTs]
F --> F3[Private Achievements]
Security Considerations (In Simple Terms)
Economic ImpactBased on zero-knowledge implementations:
CompatibilityThis proposal is designed to be:
Test Plan
References
Summary of Key Features
Technical Implementation Details (Simplified)How Zero-Knowledge Proofs Work (Technical but Understandable)// This is like the proof generator's control panel
pub struct ZKSnark {
proving_key: ProvingKey, // Key to create proofs
verification_key: VerificationKey, // Key to verify proofs
circuit: Circuit, // The mathematical recipe
}
// Creating a proof is like sealing information in an envelope
impl ZKSnark {
pub fn prove(proving_key: &ProvingKey, witness: &[Fr]) -> Result<Proof, Error> {
// 1. Take secret information (witness)
// 2. Use the recipe (circuit) to create a proof
// 3. Return the proof without revealing the secret
}
// Verifying a proof is like checking if the envelope is properly sealed
pub fn verify(verification_key: &VerificationKey, proof: &Proof) -> Result<bool, Error> {
// 1. Check if the proof is valid
// 2. Return true if valid, false if not
// 3. Never learn the secret information
}
}How Private Transactions Work// This is like a private envelope for money
pub struct ConfidentialTransaction {
commitment: PedersenCommitment, // A commitment to the amount
proof: ZKProof, // Proof that the transaction is valid
nullifier: Fr, // Prevents double-spending
merkle_path: Vec<Fr>, // Proves the money exists
}
// Creating a private transaction
impl ConfidentialTransaction {
pub fn prove_transfer(
sk: &Fr, // Your secret key
amount: u64, // How much to send
recipient: &Fr, // Who to send to
tree: &MerkleTree, // Where the money is stored
) -> Result<ConfidentialTransaction, Error> {
// 1. Prove you own the money
// 2. Prove the amount is valid
// 3. Create a commitment to hide the amount
// 4. Return the private transaction
}
}How to Use TZKP (Examples)Private Transactions# Send money privately
talos zk transaction create \
--amount 1000 \
--from <your-private-key> \
--to <recipient-address> \
--token TALOS
# Verify a private transaction (if you're the recipient)
talos zk transaction verify \
--transaction-id <tx-id> \
--proof <proof-file>
# Create a withdrawal proof (to prove you received money)
talos zk withdrawal create \
--amount 500 \
--recipient <your-address> \
--token TALOSPrivate Smart Contracts# Deploy a private smart contract
talos zk contract deploy \
--circuit <circuit-file> \
--verification-key <vk-file> \
--args <contract-arguments>
# Execute a private smart contract
talos zk contract execute \
--contract <contract-address> \
--method <method-name> \
--proof <proof-file> \
--args <method-arguments>Identity Proofs# Prove you're over 18 without revealing your age
talos zk identity prove \
--attributes "age>=18" \
--issuer <government-address> \
--subject <your-address>
# Verify someone's proof (without learning their age)
talos zk identity verify \
--proof <proof-file> \
--attributes "age>=18"Integration with Existing TIPsHow TZKP Works with Other Talos Protocols
Privacy Pools (How Anonymity Works)How Privacy Pools Provide AnonymityThink of a privacy pool like a mixing service:
// This is like the privacy pool's management system
pub struct PrivacyPool {
merkle_tree: MerkleTree, // Tracks all deposits
nullifiers: HashSet<Fr>, // Prevents double-spending
commitments: Vec<PedersenCommitment>, // All the deposits
root: Fr, // The root of the merkle tree
}
// Using the privacy pool
impl PrivacyPool {
pub fn deposit(&mut self, amount: u64, sk: &Fr) -> Result<DepositProof, Error> {
// 1. Create a commitment to hide the amount
// 2. Add it to the pool
// 3. Return a deposit proof
}
pub fn withdraw(&mut self, proof: &WithdrawProof) -> Result<bool, Error> {
// 1. Verify the withdrawal proof
// 2. Make sure the money hasn't been spent before
// 3. Allow the withdrawal if valid
}
}Alignment with Satoshi's VisionWhile Satoshi designed Bitcoin with pseudonymity rather than full privacy【turn1search7】, modern blockchain systems need stronger privacy guarantees. This TIP extends Satoshi's vision by implementing advanced zero-knowledge proof systems that maintain the verifiability of blockchain while adding the privacy needed for sensitive applications. The implementation of TZKP would make Talos one of the most privacy-preserving blockchain ecosystems, enabling confidential transactions, private smart contracts, and privacy-preserving AI operations while maintaining complete verifiability. Summary of Revisions
These revisions make the TIP accessible to a broader audience while maintaining technical accuracy, providing clear use cases that demonstrate the value of TZKP for various industries and applications. |
TIP Submission
TIP Number: 25
Title: The Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol (TZKP) - Privacy-Preserving Verification
Author: Rafael Oliveira | AO | (@Corvo_Arkhen)
Type: Standards Track
Status: Draft
This TIP was submitted through the community website and is ready for review.
summary
Proposal for Talos Zero-Knowledge Protocol (TZKP) to enhance privacy in transactions.
key points
review checklist
coherence checklist
review suggestions