Jordi Baylina, one of the leading minds behind Polygon’s zkEVM and a co-founder of the protocol, has officially launched ZisK, a high-performance, open-source zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) stack. The project spins off from Polygon with a dedicated team of eight developers and aims to become the benchmark implementation for verifiable computing in Web3.
With ZK tech gaining momentum across Ethereum scaling, identity, and DePIN applications, ZisK could mark a turning point in how developers interact with zero-knowledge systems.
What Is ZisK?
ZisK is a modular zkVM framework that allows developers to run programs written in high-level languages—like Rust, and soon Go and C#—inside a verifiable environment. Built on RISC-V 64 architecture, the stack is optimized from the ground up for speed, composability, and multi-platform integration.
What makes ZisK different:
- Real-time Ethereum proof generation
- 1.5GHz zkVM execution
- Highly parallelized proof generation via GPU
- Advanced recursive aggregation circuits
- No black boxes – ZisK is fully open source and MIT/Apache 2.0 licensed
Why It Matters for the zk Ecosystem
The timing of ZisK’s launch is strategic. While projects like Risc0, zkSync’s Boojum, and Polygon’s Type 1 zkEVM push various zkVM architectures, ZisK positions itself as developer-first and completely community-oriented.
“We need this tech to bring truly decentralized values to mainstream adoption,” said Baylina.
The initiative retains its core Polygon zkEVM prover team (Hermez), ensuring a strong technical foundation. Unlike other zkVMs that are sometimes tied to proprietary stack constraints, ZisK promotes modularity, letting devs integrate only the parts they need, or build entirely new proof systems on top.
A Platform for zk Identity and Verifiable Compute
Although ZisK is still early, the architecture naturally lends itself to next-gen applications such as:
- On-chain digital identity
- Regulatory-compliant private rollups
- ZKML (zero-knowledge machine learning) integrations
- Verifiable computation for enterprise and AI
The ability to build custom zk circuits or rollups without vendor lock-in will be key for protocols seeking to maintain independence in a rapidly centralizing space.
Final Thoughts: ZisK and the Future of ZK Infrastructure
ZisK arrives at a moment when the zero-knowledge landscape is fragmenting, and modularity is becoming the default. With its open philosophy, technical rigor, and seasoned team, ZisK could become the zkVM stack of choice for projects needing maximum performance and full sovereignty.
Its independence from Polygon signals a maturation of ZK development beyond individual chains—toward a multichain, open-source future. Whether you’re building rollups, zkIDs, or verifiable agents, ZisK just became one of the top contenders to watch.
