NightStream

Short Description

NightStream is an open-source initiative developing a post-quantum zero-knowledge proof system that balances performance, security, and practical deployment constraints. The lab focuses on creating a transparent, lattice-based architecture that provides realistic performance improvements while maintaining post-quantum security guarantees.

Scope of Lab

NightStream aims to advance the state of zero-knowledge proof technology by developing a system that addresses the fundamental trade-offs between prover time, proof size, and verifier cost. The lab’s scope encompasses:

Core Research and Development:

  • Development of a lattice-based folding protocol (NEO, LatticeFold+ or similar) for post-quantum security
  • Incorporation of lookup-centric arithmetization for computational efficiency
  • Creation of a unified compilation target supporting R1CS, PLONKish, and AIR circuits
  • Research into practical aggregation techniques for multiple proofs

Performance Optimization:

  • Hardware-software co-design for CPU and GPU acceleration
  • Small-field arithmetic optimization using the 64-bit Goldilocks field
  • Memory-efficient proving strategies for large-scale computations
  • Incrementally Verifiable Computation (IVC) support for long-running processes

Developer Experience:

  • Rust-native SDK with comprehensive tooling
  • Migration paths from existing proof systems (including Halo 2, PLONK, STARKs)
  • Debugging and development tools for circuit construction
  • Documentation and learning resources for the ZK community

Practical Deployment:

  • Multi-platform verification support (EVM, Move, WASM, Plutus, Compact (AKA Project Mitra))
  • On-chain integration strategies with realistic gas cost targets
  • Proof aggregation for blockchain scalability applications
  • Data availability proof generation for rollup systems

Security and Standards:

  • Post-quantum cryptographic parameter selection and validation
  • Formal security analysis of critical components and protocols
  • Community-driven security audits and peer review
  • Compliance with emerging post-quantum standards

The lab operates within LF Decentralized Trust’s mission by advancing open-source cryptographic infrastructure that enables privacy, scalability, and trust in decentralized systems. NightStream focuses on practical, deployable solutions that can be adopted by the broader blockchain and Web3 ecosystem.

Initial Committers

  • https://github.com/bobblessinghartley (Shielded Techonlogies)
  • https://github.com/SebastienGllmt (Midnight Foundation)
  • https://github.com/iquerejeta (Shielded Technologies)
  • https://github.com/djetchev (Input Output/CyAIber Sarl)
  • https://github.com/solegga (Input Output, University of Edinburgh)
  • https://gitbuh.com/berewt (Input Output)
  • https://github.com/dabo (Stanford University)
  • https://github.com/nicarq (Shinkai)

Sponsor

  • https://github.com/bobblessinghartley - Role: LFDT Board Member and TSC member for Mitra

Pre-existing repository

Not applicable

Technical Approach and Realistic Goals

Core Architecture

NightStream will employ a hybrid approach that combines the best aspects of existing proof systems while acknowledging practical constraints:

LatticeFold, Neo, or Similar Protocol (Lattice-Based Folding):

  • Use Custom Constraint System (CCS) arithmetization compatible with R1CS, PLONKish and AIR
  • Employs the lattice-based Ajtai commitments for efficient folding
  • Based on the Module-SIS assumption for post-quantum security
  • Uses sum-check folding for efficient proof aggregation
  • Implements pay-per-bit commitments for granular efficiency
  • Supports incremental verification for long computations

Lookup-Centric Arithmetization:

  • Arithmetization should take advantage of repeated structure in the target computation, beyond what is supported by the CCS format (for example, repeated structure inside the SHA256 circuit)
  • Unifies diverse computational models into a single lookup-based format
  • Enables efficient compilation from R1CS, PLONKish, and AIR
  • Optimizes for GPU acceleration and parallel processing
  • Reduces circuit complexity for common operations

Performance Targets (Indicative):

  • Proof generation: a few seconds for relevant use cases on consumer hardware
  • Proof size: order of tens of KBs depending on security level and complexity
  • Verification cost: scalable and competitive for utilization within main smart contract platforms
  • Aggregation: unbounded number of folding operations with logarithmic growth

Security Considerations

NightStream acknowledges the fundamental trade-offs in zero-knowledge proof systems:

Post-Quantum Security:

  • Lattice-based cryptography with configurable security levels (L1, L3, L5)
  • Conservative parameter selection based on NIST standards
  • Regular security audits and community review processes

Practical Constraints:

  • Accepts larger proof sizes for enhanced security
  • Balances performance with cryptographic soundness
  • Provides migration paths from existing systems

Development Timeline

The lab intends, as an early work item, to define a realistic, phased development approach:

Phase 1 (n months):

  • Core cryptographic research and protocol specification
  • Formal security framework and modelling
  • Basic Rust SDK framework and development tools
  • Community engagement and initial documentation

Phase 2 (n months):

  • Reference implementation of the LatticeFold/NEO protocol
  • Circuit compilation adapters for major arithmetizations
  • Performance benchmarking and optimization

Phase 3 (n months):

  • Production-ready SDK with comprehensive tooling
  • Multi-platform verification support
  • Security audits

Phase 4 (n months):

  • Advanced features (proof aggregation, IVC)
  • Hardware acceleration and optimization
  • Production deployment and ecosystem integration

Community and Governance

NightStream operates as an open, community-driven project following the these key principals:

Open Development:

  • All code and specifications are open source
  • Regular community calls and technical discussions
  • Transparent decision-making processes
  • Active engagement with the broader ZK community

Quality Assurance:

  • Comprehensive testing and benchmarking
  • Security-focused development practices
  • Regular code reviews and audits
  • Community-driven validation and feedback

Ecosystem Integration:

  • Collaboration with existing LFDT projects
  • Integration with major blockchain platforms
  • Support for developer tools and frameworks
  • Educational resources and training materials

This approach ensures that NightStream delivers practical value to the decentralized trust ecosystem while maintaining realistic expectations about performance, security, and deployment complexity.

Future Growth As the lab matures and its community grows, we will follow the guidelines to transition from Labs to a full, incubating LFDT project, or given the scope of the lab, potentially multiple, related projects. Our goal is to build a foundation that can scale and become a long-term, self-sustaining part of the LFDT ecosystem.