Behind Ethereum Foundation’s Grant to Orochi Network
Securing a grant from the Ethereum Foundation for our zkMemory project marks a significant milestone for Orochi Network. As a leading cryptography R&D company in Southeast Asia, we are committed to advancing blockchain and cryptographic innovation. This achievement not only validates the importance of our work but also highlights our shared vision with the Ethereum Foundation for the future of Web3.
Here’s what sets our work apart and why we became the first project in SEA to get the Ethereum Foundation’s support.
Leading the Way in Cryptography
We’re proud to be pioneers in cryptography, especially in Southeast Asia. Our research focuses on areas that are critical to the future of decentralized systems. Some of the key areas we’re tackling include:
Scaling Blockchain with ZKPs: Leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) to improve scalability and verifiability of blockchain networks.
Privacy-Preserving Data: Applying ZKPs to ensure data privacy while maintaining security.
Improving Distributed Ledgers: Developing a Succinct aBFT consensus that enhances blockchain finality.
Secure Self-Custody and Distributed Computations: Utilizing Multi-Party Computation (MPC) to safeguard assets and data.
Public Verifiable Randomness Beacon: Creating a Distributed VRF to provide verifiable random numbers for trustless operations.
These topics align with Ethereum’s Web3 vision, and we are proud to be advancing research that will benefit the broader ecosystem.
Our Collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation
Our journey began with an early partnership with PSE (Ethereum Foundation) to develop the first IVC-based zkVM. This project laid the foundation for the development of zkMemory, a modular approach to zkVM, which was accepted by the Ethereum Foundation. zkMemory is % completed and has been audited by the Ethereum Foundation. This project aims to create a more scalable and flexible zkVM framework that can simulate arbitrary Instruction Set Architectures (ISAs) and create custom zkVMs - expanding the possibilities for Web3 applications.
Research with Real-World Impact
Orochi combines academic research with practical development to create real-world solutions. We’ve completed and published many research and projects:
Research:
Orand - A Fast, Publicly Verifiable, Scalable Decentralized Random Number Generator Based on Distributed Verifiable Random Functions RAMenPaSTA: Parallelizable Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge for RAM Programs
Development:
Open source:
Contribute to Halo2 of PSE (EF)
Contribute to Nova of Microsoft
Contribute to Pickles, o1js of Mina Protocol
Contribute to libsecp256k1 of Parity Tech (Web3 Foundation)
Building a Research Ecosystem in Southeast Asia
Beyond technical achievements, Orochi is dedicated to building the cryptography research ecosystem in Southeast Asia. We are establishing strategic partnerships with top-tier universities in Vietnam, where we aim to cultivate the next generation of cryptographers and researchers who will drive innovation across industries, especially in Web3.
As the world approaches the post-quantum era, we believe it’s crucial to prepare for the challenges ahead. By investing in cryptography research and education, Orochi is laying the groundwork for a future-proof Web3 ecosystem that can adapt to the evolving landscape of cryptography.
Beyond our technical advancements, we're also focused on raising awareness of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) across Southeast Asia. To further this mission, we co-founded ZKP Labs, an initiative dedicated to promoting ZKP technologies and fostering their adoption in the region. Through ZKP Labs, we actively collaborate with other organizations to strengthen the ZKP community. We're excited to see the growing interest and progress as we work to bring ZKPs to an even wider audience.
Future Outlook
Receiving a grant from the Ethereum Foundation is an exciting milestone for us at Orochi Network. But for us, it’s just the beginning. 2025 promises to be a year of growth and innovation as we continue building on our successes and advancing our vision of shaping a provable future.
Stay updated on our latest milestones by following Orochi on Twitter! About Orochi Network
Orochi Network is the world's first zkDA Layer, recognized by the Ethereum Foundation. By leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), Orochi ensures data integrity, security, and interoperability, empowering developers with the tools to overcome the limitations of on-chain execution and scalability in Web3. At the core, Orochi offers the world's first verifiable database designed for enterprises, AI/ML, zkML, zkVMs, verifiable computation, Web3 applications, and more.
