Sublinear Verification Cost

Definition ∞ Sublinear verification cost refers to a property of cryptographic proof systems where the computational effort required to verify a proof grows slower than the size of the computation being proven. Specifically, the verification time is less than linear with respect to the original computation’s complexity. This efficiency is critical for scaling blockchain networks, as it allows verifiers to confirm large computations quickly and with minimal resources. It is a key attribute of many zero-knowledge proofs.
Context ∞ Sublinear verification cost is a highly desirable characteristic in zero-knowledge proof systems, driving significant research and development in the blockchain space. Its attainment enables more scalable and efficient layer-2 solutions, allowing networks to process a higher volume of transactions with reduced verification overhead. News frequently highlights new cryptographic protocols that achieve or approach sublinear verification, signaling advancements in blockchain scalability.