Polylogarithmic Verification Cost

Definition ∞ Polylogarithmic verification cost describes a highly efficient computational property where the resources required to verify a cryptographic proof increase only polylogarithmically with the size of the computation being proven. This means that even for extremely large computations, the verification process remains remarkably fast and resource-light. Achieving polylogarithmic verification is a significant breakthrough in zero-knowledge proof systems. It allows for scalable and privacy-preserving computations on blockchains.
Context ∞ Advances in cryptographic research, particularly in zero-knowledge proofs like SNARKs and STARKs, frequently aim to achieve or improve polylogarithmic verification costs. News reports on these breakthroughs highlight their potential to unlock new levels of blockchain scalability and privacy. The practical application of such proofs is a key driver for developing more efficient and secure decentralized systems.