Proof Aggregation Layer

The LayerEdge Verification Layer is at the core of our mission to unlock Bitcoin's computational security for zk-proofs and verifiable off-chain computations. We achieve this by enabling seamless verification for multiple zk-proof systems while dramatically reducing costs through aggregation.

LayerEdge ensures that zk-proofs from various protocols, including Snark, Plonky3, and Groth16, are aggregated, verified, and ultimately settled on the Bitcoin network with native on-chain verification. This approach not only scales Bitcoin’s security but also provides efficient and cost-effective verification solutions for decentralized applications.

The verification layer has been designed to function in both pre-OP_CAT and post-OP_CAT scenarios. Whether or not OP_CAT is implemented, LayerEdge will provide native verification on Bitcoin, making zk-proof verification accessible to a wide range of protocols. However, with OP_CAT enabled, we can significantly lower verification costs—by up to 95%—through proof concatenation and streamlined execution.

Aggregation: The Core of Verification

At the heart of LayerEdge’s verification system is aggregation. By bundling multiple zk-proofs into one final aggregated proof, we cut down the verification cost to just 3-5% of what would normally be required if each proof was verified individually. This also helps amortize the costs across multiple protocols, ensuring that the system remains scalable and efficient, even as more protocols and proofs are added to the network.

The aggregation layer collects proofs from protocols using zk-proof systems such as Snark, Halo2, Plonky3, Groth16, and more, processes them through the LayerEdge system, and sends the final aggregated proof to be verified and settled on Bitcoin. This process reduces computational overhead while maintaining Bitcoin's unparalleled security guarantees.

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How it Works

The image below shows the overall architecture of LayerEdge’s verification system.

1. Proofs from various zk-proof systems are stored in DA.

2. LayerEdge’s Aggregation Layer fetches the stored proofs and aggregates them into a single proof.

3. This aggregated proof is then settled on Bitcoin for script-level verification, ensuring that all zk-proofs are securely processed without overburdening the network.

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Through our layered approach, we ensure that zk-proofs can be verified efficiently, cost-effectively, and with the highest security guarantees—both pre-OP_CAT and post-OP_CAT.

With LayerEdge, Bitcoin evolves beyond a store of value to become the foundation for a scalable, trustless economy, powering the next generation of verifiable, permissionless innovation.

For more details on how LayerEdge leverages OP_CAT and how Babylon enhances cryptoeconomic security, explore the next sections.