Overview of Brevis

Introduction

Brevis is a Zero-Knowledge (ZK) full-chain data proof platform designed to allow smart contracts to access and process the complete historical on-chain data of multiple blockchains in a trustless manner. By providing customized computation functions, Brevis supports innovative applications such as decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-chain authentication, and liquidity management, helping developers build smarter, trust-minimized blockchain applications.

The founder of Brevis, Dong Mo, has a strong background in computer science. During her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), she focused on research in distributed systems and cybersecurity. Dong Mo is also a venture partner at IOSG Ventures and a co-founder of Celer Network.

Funding

Brevis announced the completion of a $7.5 million seed round on November 12, 2024, led by Polychain Capital and Binance Labs, with participation from IOSG Ventures, Nomad Capital, Bankless Ventures, HashKey Capital, and others.

Brevis’ Funding (Source: Brevis)

Vision

Currently, Web 3.0 decentralized applications (dApps) cannot access the majority of data stored on blockchains in a fully trustless manner. This is because smart contracts can only access data from the current state and cannot retrieve complete historical data, limiting the potential and functionality of dApps.

Brevis’s vision and goal are to become a ZK full-chain data computation and validation platform, aiming to enable dApps to access, compute, and utilize arbitrary data across multiple blockchains completely trustless. This includes raw data such as asset transfers, contract function calls, contract events, and blockchain state roots, allowing the extraction of valuable information such as asset ownership, user activity profiles, social graphs, and financial relationships.

Features and Architecture of Brevis

Features

• High Performance at Scale

Brevis leverages advanced Zero-Knowledge (ZK) cryptographic algorithms and large-scale parallel computing to process complex computations of a high volume of transactions in a short period. This indicates that Brevis delivers efficient performance when handling large-scale data, which is critical for decentralized applications (dApps) that require fast response times.

• Versatility
  Brevis offers a Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows developers to easily access historical states, transactions, smart contract events, and customize their own computation logic using programming languages they are familiar with. This versatility enables Brevis to meet a wide range of development needs and application scenarios.

• Omni-Chain
  Brevis provides a unified user experience that supports fast, trustless access to full-chain data and computations across multiple blockchains. This means that developers can build applications spanning multiple blockchains, while users enjoy a seamless interaction experience.

Architecture

Brevis, as a new Zero-Knowledge (ZK) multi-chain data proof platform, aims to provide trustless data access, computation, and utilization features for decentralized applications (dApps). Its core architecture comprises three main components: zkFabric, zkQueryNet, and zkAggregatorRollup.

Brevis’ Architecture (Source: Brevis)

1. zkFabric: Zero-Knowledge Proof-Based Multi-Chain Interoperability

zkFabric is the interoperability layer of Brevis, responsible for collecting block headers from all connected blockchains and generating Zero-Knowledge Consensus Proofs (ZK Consensus Proofs) to verify the validity of these block headers. This allows any blockchain to access the state of other blockchains trustlessly. Through zkFabric, dApps can securely access multi-chain block headers and state roots, addressing the trust issues in current multi-chain interoperability.

The workflow of zkFabric can be compared to that of a delivery service. It collects “packages” (block headers) from various blockchains, then passes them through a series of “checkpoints” (generating zero-knowledge proofs) to verify the authenticity of the packages. Finally, the verified block headers are “delivered” to a central warehouse (zkAggregatorRollup). The specific workflow is as follows:

• Block Header Synchronization: The block header relay network regularly synchronizes block headers from various blockchains and selects block headers after a secure block confirmation delay to avoid fork selection issues.
• Submitting Block Headers: The block header relay network submits the block headers to the zkFabric prover network.
• Generating Validity Proofs: The prover network generates validity proofs for the block headers using chain-specific ZKP circuits (implementing light client protocols).
• Returning Proofs: The prover network returns the validity proofs to the relay network.
• Submitting to Rollup: After receiving the proofs, the relay network submits the proofs and corresponding block headers to the zkAggregatorRollup.

The technological core of zkFabric lies in its ability to generate and verify zero-knowledge proofs, which act like encrypted “receipts” to prove the authenticity of block headers without exposing any sensitive information. It works by implementing circuits based on polynomial arithmetic, enabling efficient and secure proof generation. Furthermore, zkFabric’s proofs can be recursively verified in zkAggregatorRollup, meaning once a proof is verified, its authenticity can be repeatedly confirmed across multiple blockchains without needing to re-verify each time, significantly enhancing cross-chain interoperability efficiency.

For example, with Ethereum PoS, zkFabric first calculates the commitment of the Ethereum sync committee, which involves a complex process of SHA-256 hashing and public key aggregation. It then verifies the block’s BLS signatures to ensure the block is signed by an authorized committee. After completing these steps, zkFabric generates a zero-knowledge proof to confirm that all validation steps have been executed correctly. This proof is then submitted to zkAggregatorRollup along with the block header for use by other system components. In this way, zkFabric not only ensures interoperability between blockchains but also maintains the security and integrity of the data, providing a solid foundation for building cross-chain applications.

zkFabric Architecture (Source: Brevis)

2. zkQueryNet: Open ZK Query Engine Network

zkQueryNet is an open marketplace designed to support a variety of data query needs, transforming query results into ZK proofs. It aims to provide a high-efficiency, flexible, and trustless data querying and computation framework for decentralized applications (dApps).

zkQueryNet is implemented through a series of Zero-Knowledge Query Engines, enabling developers to query data across multiple blockchains without relying on centralized intermediaries or trusted third parties. The specific workflow includes receiving query requests from dApps, parsing the query, and generating the corresponding computation results. Each query engine can provide different query interfaces based on specific needs, supporting use cases ranging from simple asset transfer data to complex market analysis. The generated query results are accompanied by zero-knowledge proofs to ensure their authenticity and validity while preserving user privacy.

Through zkQueryNet, developers can easily access cross-chain data, build more flexible and efficient decentralized applications, and drive the growth of the Web3 ecosystem.

For example, a decentralized exchange (DEX) may wish to dynamically adjust its liquidity mining rewards based on users’ trading volumes across different blockchains. It can initiate a query request via zkQueryNet, and the query engines in the network will gather and compute the data, generating zero-knowledge proofs to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the results. The verified data is then returned to the DEX smart contract for adjusting the reward mechanism, with the entire process being trustless, ensuring data security and transparency.

3. zkAggregatorRollup: Cross-Chain Proof Aggregation Layer

zkAggregatorRollup serves as the aggregation and storage layer for zkFabric and zkQueryNet. It is responsible for validating the proofs submitted by both modules and submitting the zero-knowledge (ZK)-verified state roots to all connected blockchains. This process enables decentralized applications (dApps) to directly utilize these ZK-verified query results within smart contracts. By aggregating multiple proofs and submitting them to each blockchain at once, zkAggregatorRollup significantly reduces the cost of cross-chain communication and verification while ensuring data security and integrity.

Design-wise, zkAggregatorRollup is intended to be a trustless “data aggregation point.” It aggregates zero-knowledge proofs from different sources and submits them to all connected blockchains, enabling cross-chain data sharing and utilization.

Technically, it employs efficient data storage solutions, such as Verkle trees, to support fast data retrieval and proof generation. Additionally, zkAggregatorRollup has powerful validation logic that ensures each proof undergoes strict zero-knowledge proof verification before data is stored and submitted. This guarantees the accuracy and reliability of the data. This design makes zkAggregatorRollup a robust trust foundation, providing decentralized applications with a reliable cross-chain data access and utilization platform.

Use Cases of Brevis

• Data-Driven DeFi (Decentralized Finance)

Brevis introduces a new development paradigm for DeFi applications through the use of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). For example, DeFi applications can leverage Brevis to access and verify past transaction data to manage rewards, such as loyalty programs. This enables applications to tailor rewards and incentives based on users’ historical transaction behavior, thus enhancing user engagement and platform retention. Additionally, Brevis allows protocols to verify and retrieve historical blockchain data, which is crucial for applications that rely on past blockchain states.

• zkBridges (Zero-Knowledge Bridges)

Brevis supports the creation of cross-chain bridges that use Zero-Knowledge Proofs to ensure the secure transfer of assets and information across different blockchain networks. For example, Brevis can implement an end-to-end prototype bridge from Cosmos to Ethereum, which involves proving the correctness of large proof circuits. This design ensures the security of the bridge while improving the efficiency and scalability of cross-chain communication.

• zkDID (Zero-Knowledge Identity)

Brevis can be used to build Zero-Knowledge Identity systems, allowing users to prove their identity and behaviors while protecting their privacy. For instance, through a DID system, users can introduce more detailed social data for interactions without revealing sensitive information. This identity verification method can be applied to various use cases, including social networks, financial services, and more, while ensuring the privacy and security of user data.

Brevis Use Case Demonstrations (Source: Brevis)

Conclusion

Brevis, as an innovative Zero-Knowledge (ZK) full-chain data proof platform, not only provides unprecedented cross-chain interoperability for decentralized applications (dApps) but also solves the trust issue through its powerful ZK proof technology, driving the development of the Web3 ecosystem. With its three core components—zkFabric, zkQueryNet, and zkAggregatorRollup—Brevis enables efficient, secure, and trustless data access and computation, supporting innovative applications in decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-chain identity verification, liquidity management, and more.

Regarding future plans, Brevis is committed to expanding its cross-chain support and optimizing its ZK computation architecture to further enhance platform performance and scalability. In the coming months, Brevis will launch its new ZK Coprocessor architecture and progressively improve compatibility with multiple blockchains and Layer 2 networks to cater to a broader range of use cases. Additionally, Brevis will strengthen its software development kit (SDK), making it easier for developers to implement complex data computations and business logic. They will work on reducing the cost and latency of ZK computations through new technological innovations.