Comparative efficiency analysis of hashing algorithms for applications in zk-SNARK circuits in distributed ledgers

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative efficiency analysis of hashing algorithms in terms of applicability in zk-SNARK based systems. We have considered the hash functions sha256, sha3, blake2, mimc and poseidon, which are most widely used in modern distributed ledgers. To conduct experiments with measuring parameters, an infrastructure based on the ZoKrates toolbox was developed. A series of measurements with different input data was carried out for each algorithm. The number of constraints in the R1CS representation of the algorithm, the length of the proof key and the verification key, the running time of the setup phase of the protocol, and the proof generation time were measured. Based on the obtained results, we determined the boundaries of the practical applicability of algorithms for the problem of proving the knowledge of the preimage of a hash function using zk-SNARK circuits in distributed ledgers, and also identified emerging efficiency problems.