Definition ∞ Prover cost refers to the computational resources and time required for a “prover” to generate a cryptographic proof, particularly in zero-knowledge proof systems used in blockchain technology. This cost is a critical factor in the scalability and efficiency of privacy-preserving or layer-2 solutions. Minimizing prover cost is a significant area of research and development.
Context ∞ Discussions about prover cost are prominent in news concerning advancements in zero-knowledge technologies and blockchain scaling solutions. High prover costs can limit the practical application of certain privacy features or slow down transaction processing. Ongoing efforts to reduce this cost aim to make these advanced cryptographic techniques more accessible and efficient for broader use.