Definition ∞ Proof overhead refers to the additional computational cost associated with generating and verifying cryptographic proofs. This cost includes the time and resources required beyond the actual computation itself, such as the cryptographic operations needed to construct a zero-knowledge proof. It encompasses factors like proof size, prover computation time, and verifier computation time. Minimizing proof overhead is a primary objective in the design of efficient blockchain scaling solutions and privacy protocols.
Context ∞ Proof overhead is a critical metric discussed in crypto news related to layer-2 scaling solutions and zero-knowledge technologies like zk-rollups. Projects are constantly working to reduce this overhead to make transactions cheaper and faster on blockchain networks. Advances in cryptographic algorithms and hardware acceleration often lead to significant reductions in proof overhead, making these technologies more viable for widespread adoption in digital asset systems.
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