Kakarot: An Exciting ZK-EVM Project

Kakarot zkEVM is an Ethereum Virtual Machine implementation written in the Cairo language (EVM). Cairo is a Turing-complete language associated with CairoVM, which achieves verifiable computation using polynomials and the ZK-STARK proof system.

As zkEVM, Kakarot can generate provable transactions and blocks. Since it is built on CairoVM, every transaction executed on Kakarot is provable. This allows developers to deploy EVM applications on Kakarot while enabling users to interact with these applications using familiar tools.

Kakarot will also provide interoperability with the Starknet protocol, bringing composability to protocols in areas such as DeFi and GameFi.

Development Roadmap

The project started in October 2022, aiming to create a zkEVM with less than 10,000 lines of code as open source. This goal was achieved in just six months. The testnet is planned to be released by the end of summer 2023.

The roadmap for Kakarot zkEVM is divided into three phases:

1. Kakarot zkEVM on Starknet: Introducing EVM to Starknet

Kakarot zkEVM will initially exist as a built-in EVM in Starknet's L2. Developers can directly deploy Solidity( or any EVM-compatible language) smart contracts on Starknet and use familiar tools. The user experience will be the same as on Polygon, Scroll, or Ethereum L1.

2. Kakarot x Madara:L3 zkEVMs

Kakarot and Madara will integrate, supporting L3 zkEVMs and even higher levels. Teams can deploy their own zkEVM application chains, settling transactions on Starknet using validity proofs. This architecture decouples security and decentralization, allowing users to obtain Ethereum L1 security while enjoying lower gas costs and higher performance.

3. Kakarot x Madara:type 1 zkEVM

If the Ethereum consensus rules can be written in Cairo and switch from Pedersen MPT to Keccak MPT, Kakarot will become a type 1 zkEVM client capable of proving L1 blocks. This depends on the future development of Ethereum, especially the Verge upgrade.

Team

The Kakarot core team was born out of a hackathon in Lisbon, where about 10 people built a zkEVM prototype in a week. Currently, with the support of the Starknet Foundation and Onlydust, Kakarot has more than 40 contributors.

Core members include:

• Elias Tazartes: Co-founder and CEO, focusing on blockchain engineering and full-stack development
• Clément Walter: Co-founder and CTO, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur

Financing

Kakarot has completed its pre-seed funding round, with the specific amount not disclosed. Investors include Starkware, LambDa, and others. Angel investors include Vitalik Buterin, Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca, and ZAMA co-founder and CEO Rand Hindi.

Outlook

Kakarot, as an EVM implementation on Starknet, can effectively connect the Starknet and Ethereum ecosystems, lowering the development threshold. Its development is closely related to Starknet and can contribute to the prosperity of the Starknet ecosystem.

Kakarot has received support from Vitalik and StarkWare, which is a significant advantage. However, compared to other zkEVM projects, the Kakarot team is smaller, with a lower budget and brand recognition, which is also one of the reasons it has not been deployed as a general-purpose zkEVM L2.

Kakarot is currently in the early stages, with the testnet set to launch soon. As an important part of the Starknet ecosystem, the development of Kakarot is worth paying attention to.