Introducing Pico

Welcome to Pico—the open-source zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) that transforms how developers build secure, scalable, and high-performance decentralized applications. Drawing on the innovative “glue-and-coprocessor” architecture, Pico fuses the efficiency of specialized circuits with the adaptability of a general-purpose zkVM. This unique design empowers you to craft tailored proof systems that meet the diverse needs of modern cryptographic applications.

Pico’s STARK proofs have 128 bits of provable soundness; the on-chain Groth16 proof has BN254’s security level.

Pico’s design is rooted in the need for adaptable, high-performance ZK systems that can keep pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptographic research. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution, Pico’s modular architecture lets you:

• Leverage Interchangeable Proving Backends: Select from multiple proving backends to achieve the best performance and efficiency.
• Integrate App-Specific Circuits: Seamlessly incorporate specialized circuits/coprocessors to accelerate domain-specific computations.
• Customize Proving Workflows: Assemble and fine-tune proof generation pipelines tailored to your application’s specific requirements.

Why Choose Pico?

Pico is built upon four fundamental strengths that set it apart:

• Modularity: Pico’s architecture is composed of independent, interchangeable components. This design allows you to configure and reassemble the system to align with your application’s requirements precisely.
• Flexibility: Pico supports various proving backends and custom proving pipelines, enabling you to fine-tune every aspect of the proof generation process. Adjust parameters effortlessly to meet specific performance demands.
• Extensibility: Designed for seamless integration, Pico allows you to incorporate app-specific circuits and custom acceleration modules. This extensibility ensures you can add bespoke coprocessors or precompiles, enhancing the system’s capabilities without disrupting its core functionality.
• Performance: Engineered for efficiency, Pico achieves industry-leading proof generation speeds on standard hardware. Its optimized workflows and specialized circuits deliver exceptional throughput and low latency, even in high-demand scenarios.

Pico provides a robust, future-ready foundation that meets today’s challenges and evolves with the advancing field of zero-knowledge technology. Whether you’re a developer eager to explore the potential of ZK proofs or a researcher pushing the boundaries of cryptographic innovation, Pico is the ideal platform to build upon.