Aligned Layer

Aligned is a decentralized network designed to verify Zero-Knowledge (ZK) and validity proofs, posting the results to Ethereum. Its goal is to provide high-throughput, low-cost proof verification with minimal latency, enabling verifiable computations that don't require each node to re-execute all transactions. This is particularly valuable for blockchain applications where computations need to be trusted but are expensive and time-consuming to verify directly on-chain.

Aligned addresses the inefficiencies of current blockchain models, which require nodes to redundantly execute operations, and proposes ZK proofs as a way to delegate execution off-chain while maintaining trust. These proofs can be quickly verified, allowing for increased scalability and reduced operational costs without compromising security. Aligned uses two operational modes: fast mode, which prioritizes speed and low latency, and aggregation mode, which leverages slower proof recursion but compresses proofs to reduce costs.

By leveraging EigenLayer's decentralized infrastructure and improvements in proof technology, Aligned offers substantial cost savings—up to 99% for some proof systems—and allows developers more flexibility in choosing proof systems for their applications. Aligned's verification process is also designed to handle high throughput, verifying over 1,000 proofs per second, which is significantly faster than Ethereum's current capacity.

In addition to serving Ethereum, Aligned aims to expand by propagating results to other Layer 2 networks. It provides a scalable, efficient solution for proof verification that aligns with Ethereum's rollup-centric roadmap while supporting more complex, verifiable applications in areas like AI, IoT, and DeFi.