Definition ∞ A Plonk successor refers to a newer zero-knowledge proof system that builds upon or improves the foundational principles of the Plonk protocol. Plonk is a popular universal and updatable zero-knowledge proof system known for its efficiency and flexibility in proving arbitrary computations. A Plonk successor typically introduces enhancements in areas such as prover time, verifier time, proof size, or the ability to support more complex circuits. These subsequent protocols aim to overcome limitations or offer better performance characteristics than the original Plonk construction.
Context ∞ The development of Plonk successors is a dynamic and active area of research within the zero-knowledge cryptography community, driven by the demand for more scalable and private blockchain solutions. These advanced proof systems are crucial for improving the performance of zk-rollups and other layer-2 scaling technologies for Ethereum and other networks. Ongoing work concentrates on optimizing these protocols for real-world applications, seeking to achieve greater efficiency and broader applicability in decentralized finance and beyond.