ZKM - A zkvm based on MIPS @ProjectZKM recently updated to a new version codenamed Ziren. ZKM is one of the few zkvm products based on the MIPS instruction set. They have chosen a relatively less crowded competitive path (compared to the zk-RISC-V instruction set). MIPS is a long-established reduced instruction set, where the advantage lies not in the number of instructions and scalability, but in the fixed and stable nature of the instructions. The biggest challenge for zk-EVM has been the constant changes in EVM instructions, which lead to new circuit constraint upgrades. For finance and crypto, stability and security are more important, so the inherent stability of zk-MIPS is its core value point. The project's CTO, @sd_eigen, previously worked on another zkvm project, Eigen_Network, which initially focused on privacy but later shifted direction and was acquired, the details of which are unknown. Here’s a comparison between the MIPS32 and RISC-V instruction sets: RV32I is minimal, with flexible extensions (such as M, A, F, D, C) to choose from, and has a simple instruction encoding that supports 16/32 bits. Core instruction set: RISC-V's RV32I (47 instructions) is far fewer than MIPS32's core integer instructions (~150), reflecting RISC-V's minimalist design philosophy. With extensions: Common configurations for RISC-V (like RV32IMAFC or RV32G) have around 100-150 instructions, still usually fewer than MIPS32's 200+ (including floating point and extensions). Instruction complexity: The MIPS32 instruction set is more complex, containing some specialized instructions (like branch delay slots and coprocessor instructions), while RISC-V pursues simplicity, modularity in extensions, and reduces redundancy. Design philosophy differences: MIPS32: Designed in the 1980s, aimed at high-performance RISC processors, with a relatively fixed instruction set. Includes branch delay slots (a hardware feature requiring additional instruction management), increasing implementation complexity. The instruction set is rich, but some instructions are targeted at specific hardware scenarios, which may not suit modern lightweight designs. The ecosystem is mature but closed-source, with limited extensibility. RISC-V: A modern open-source ISA, designed in the 2010s, emphasizing modularity and flexibility. No branch delay slots, simple instruction encoding, easy for hardware implementation and software optimization. Customizable instruction sets through extensions, suitable for everything from low-power embedded systems to high-performance computing. An open-source ecosystem with an active community, supporting rapid iteration and customization. Some information about the Ziren upgrade: Ziren = zkMIPS v1.1.0 with GPU + network verifier - 30x GPU acceleration - Network prover supports parallel proofs - Major constraint optimizations - Toolchain and precompiled upgrades - Key bug fixes and audit improvements The core proof generation process has now been accelerated by GPU, resulting in significant speed improvements: - Core proof generation speed increased by 30 times - Aggregated proof speed increased by 15 times - bn254 wrapped proof speed also increased by 30 times More update details: The first project running Ziren is called @GOATRollup, which is a Layer 2 network based on Bitcoin. GOAT Network is the first Bitcoin Layer 2 network based on zkMIPS (Zero-Knowledge MIPS instruction set), BitVM3, and decentralized sequencers. It achieves a trust-minimized design through an optimistic challenge protocol (GOAT-OCP). The project's goal is to address Bitcoin's limitations in scalability, transaction speed, and cost while maintaining the security of Bitcoin Layer 1. Core features: Decentralization: GOAT Network operates through decentralized sequencer node operators, allowing external node participants to jointly manage block production and transaction ordering, sharing profits. Security: The project uses the BitVM3 bridging solution and zkRollup technology, ensuring transaction security and privacy through zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP). zkMIPS supports programs written in high-level languages like Rust and Golang, allowing developers to verify business logic without auditing zero-knowledge proof circuits, lowering the development threshold and enhancing security. Scalability: By moving some transactions off-chain, GOAT Network significantly improves Bitcoin's transaction speed and reduces transaction costs while inheriting the security of the Bitcoin main chain. It supports 100% EVM compatibility, allowing developers to efficiently build Web3 decentralized applications (DApps). Sustainable returns: GOAT Network is committed to providing sustainable return opportunities for Bitcoin holders, expanding the use of Bitcoin beyond just a store of value.