ZKM, in collaboration with GOAT Network, officially releases zkMIPS 1.0: a production-grade high-performance zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) for scalable verifiable computation

ZKM and GOAT Network officially launched zkMIPS 1.0, the first production-grade zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) based on the MIPS architecture. This version marks the arrival of a truly high-performance, stable, and scalable zkVM for the industry, now ready for practical applications in mainstream blockchain ecosystems such as Ethereum and Bitcoin.

zkMIPS 1.0 adopts the proven MIPS32r2 instruction set architecture, which, unlike mainstream RISC-V-based zkVMs, introduces a more mature, simpler, and efficient architecture design better suited for verifiable computing needs. This upgrade achieves a performance improvement of 6 to 19 times over zkMIPS 0.3.0 through a comprehensive restructuring of the prover architecture, circuit layout, memory consistency model, and precompiled integration.

" Many zkVM projects focus on increasing exposure, while we have always focused on engineering development, committed to refining the best product. Choosing MIPS32r2 is a more challenging path compared to RISC-V, but we believe it is the necessary route to build the optimal verifiable computing zkVM. With the release of zkMIPS 1.0, we are confident that this architectural foundation will prove to be the strongest solution in the industry." " ------ Ming Guo, Co-founder and Chief Scientist of ZKM

Key Features of zkMIPS 1.0:

• Support for MIPS32r2 Architecture: MIPS32r2 is simpler, more efficient, and has stronger consistency, resulting in shorter instruction sequences and execution traces after program compilation, leading to higher proof efficiency.
• Built on Plonky3 and Koala Prime Field: Achieves efficient STARK proof generation and circuit optimization based on a 31-bit field.
• Multi-set Hash Memory Model: Simplifies the memory verification process and improves proof generation efficiency.
• Area-optimized ZK Chip Design: Reduces proof costs while maintaining circuit integrity.
• Hardware Acceleration Support: Supports GPU acceleration.
• Precompiled Module Supports Complex Computation Operations: Provides optimized circuit support for high-overhead operations such as field arithmetic and Keccak.

Measured Performance

Using the zkVM-benchmarks suite, zkMIPS 1.0 demonstrated significant efficiency improvements across multiple tests, with some results as follows:

• SHA3-chain (460 iterations): Reduced from 1358 seconds to 68 seconds (18.8 times improvement)
• Fibonacci (n=58,218): Reduced from 223 seconds to 14 seconds (13.9 times improvement)
• SHA2 (2048 bytes): Reduced from 22 seconds to 2.9 seconds (6.6 times improvement)

Click here to view a comprehensive performance comparison of zkMIPS 1.0 with other mainstream zkVMs.

Production-grade Applications for Ethereum and Bitcoin

zkMIPS 1.0 has been applied to block generation on the Ethereum mainnet, serving the Ethereum Foundation-led EthProofs initiative, and also supports GOAT Network - the first Bitcoin Layer 2 network built on BitVM2 with a sustainable native yield mechanism. The ZKM Proving Network fully supports mainstream proof systems such as Groth16, PLONK, and compressed STARKs, and is currently expanding to more scenarios such as AI and Optimistic Rollup upgrades.

"zkMIPS 1.0 lays a solid foundation for our most important application case to date - enabling native Bitcoin applications through GOAT Network. GOAT employs a unique decentralized sorter design, introducing the industry's first sustainable BTC yield mechanism, and with zkMIPS 1.0, GOAT has the most powerful zkVM support in the industry."

------ Kevin Liu, Co-founder and CEO of ZKM

Thoughtful Architectural Decision

Choosing MIPS32r2 over RISC-V was a well-considered engineering decision. Although the implementation of MIPS is more complex, it supports shorter programs, fewer circuit constraints, and aligns better with zero-knowledge circuit design. zkMIPS 1.0 combines a mature instruction set with compiler optimizations, enabling proof generation for existing general applications while significantly improving proof efficiency.

Developer Tools Fully Ready zkMIPS 1.0 provides a complete development toolchain support, including:

• zkm_sdk Rust crate
• mipsel-zkm-zkvm-elf compilation toolchain
• Network proof support and local prover integration

Developers can quickly get started through the ZKM documentation, allowing them to begin development in just a few minutes.

Future Outlook

zkMIPS 1.0 lays the groundwork for real-time proofs, zero-knowledge-based Bitcoin scaling solutions, and cross-chain unified liquidity. With performance validation and integrated applications being implemented, ZKM will further enhance precompiled support, optimize cost models, and expand into more Rollup ecosystems.

Original English text

https://www.zkm.io/blog/zkmips-1-0-production-ready-performance-optimized-and-open-for-developers

About ZKM

ZKM aims to build a general zero-knowledge proof infrastructure, including zkMIPS (a zkVM based on the MIPS architecture), Proof Network, etc., to achieve universal settlement and trustless interoperability, promoting liquidity unification in the blockchain ecosystem.

zkMIPS is the industry's first zero-knowledge proof virtual machine supporting the MIPS instruction set, enabling zero-knowledge proof generation for general computation. zkMIPS is fully open-source and has a complete developer toolset and an efficient proof network. The Entangled Rollup protocol built on zkMIPS is a cross-chain circulation protocol for native assets, with typical application cases including Metis Hybrid Rollup and GOAT Network.