Verifier Computation

Definition ∞ Verifier computation refers to the amount of computational resources, such as processing power and time, required by a party to check the validity of a cryptographic proof. In systems like zero-knowledge proofs, a prover generates a proof for a statement, and a verifier then checks this proof. Minimizing verifier computation is a key design goal for scalable blockchain protocols. Lower verifier computation enables more participants to verify transactions efficiently.
Context ∞ In the context of blockchain scalability and zero-knowledge technologies, verifier computation is a frequently discussed metric. News reports often highlight advancements in proof systems that significantly reduce the computational burden on verifiers, making decentralized verification more accessible. The ongoing research focuses on achieving “succinct” proofs, where verification time is constant or logarithmic relative to the computation being proven, which is critical for widespread adoption of layer-2 solutions.