Overview
Mina Protocol is a blockchain network and cryptocurrency that seeks to address scalability and decentralization issues common to traditional blockchain architectures. Unlike conventional blockchains that grow continuously in data size, Mina maintains a constant blockchain size of 22 kilobytes. This compact size is achieved through the use of zk-SNARKs (zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge), a cryptographic method that allows Mina’s blockchain to remain lightweight and accessible. This design significantly reduces resource requirements for participants, supporting broader decentralization and enabling nodes to operate even on low-power devices.
Core Technology
zk-SNARKs
Mina’s reliance on zk-SNARKs is fundamental to its architecture. Zk-SNARKs allow one party to prove the truth of a statement to another without revealing any additional information, compressing historical blockchain data into a 22KB proof. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional blockchains, which grow in size as transaction volume increases. By maintaining a fixed, succinct blockchain size, Mina enables nodes to verify the chain quickly, reducing hardware and storage requirements.
