Nori - HackMD

## WHAT IS NORI? Nori is a trustless, zero-knowledge (ZK) bridging and state-verification project that brings Ethereum data and assets into Mina Protocol—and in the future, into any blockchain environment. Unlike many existing “trusted” or multisig-based bridges, Nori is fully verifiable by cryptography alone. We let developers and users prove Ethereum’s latest state inside Mina (or other chains) in a decentralized, permissionless way. We believe that true blockchain interoperability must preserve the core ethos of decentralization. --- ### WHY NORI? THE PROBLEM WE’RE SOLVING - Broken Interoperability: Today’s cross-chain solutions often rely on trusted third parties, insecure multisigs, or central operators. This undermines the fundamental principles of blockchains. - Lost Decentralization: Even if a blockchain is decentralized in its own domain, bridging typically brings in external trust assumptions. Nori solves this by using cutting-edge ZK proofs. - Limited Cross-Chain Data Usage: Most “bridges” only handle token transfers. Nori provides a general-purpose mechanism to verify any Ethereum state on Mina, opening up broader applications—from DeFi to identity and oracles, and beyond. --- ### HOW NORI WORKS: A SIMPLIFIED EXPLANATION Run an Ethereum Light Client in ZK: - Nori uses Helios, an Ethereum light client, which is executed inside a ZK virtual machine (zkVM). This zkVM continuously verifies Ethereum’s finalized consensus-layer epochs and maintains the updated execution state root. - The result is a cryptographic proof showing that Helios correctly processed Ethereum’s blocks and arrived at the correct state. Convert Proof to Mina: - The PLONK proof from Helios is then converted into a Mina-compatible proof (using Nori’s proof-conversion repos) so that Mina’s Kimchi proof system can verify it. - That final proof is posted on Mina as an on-chain record of the current Ethereum state root. Store & Link Proofs for Continuity: - To ensure each new proof starts from the same state where the last one ended, Nori stores a hash of the “ending state” from the previous proof. - This guarantees that every subsequent proof lines up perfectly, preserving a continuous and trustworthy record of Ethereum’s state on Mina, block after block. Extending Into State Proofs (NoriStateProving): - Nori’s infrastructure can also include one or more Merkle proofs showing specific Ethereum storage slots (like account balances or contract storage) are correct for a given finalized state root. - This “proof of a storage proof” is verified alongside the main state root update, enabling single-step validation of any on-chain data from Ethereum in Mina. --- ### FIRST APPLICATION: NORI TOKEN BRIDGE - Overview: NoriTokenBridge allows users to lock ETH on Ethereum and then claim a corresponding token on Mina (like wETH). - Lock on Ethereum: A user deposits ETH into a Nori smart contract. The contract records the user’s Ethereum address, plus how much ETH is locked so far. - Prove on Mina: As soon as the state root proof (and the relevant Merkle storage proof) is integrated by Nori, the user can present that proof to the Nori zkApp on Mina. - Mint on Mina: If the proof is valid and the user’s “lockedSoFar” state is higher than what they have minted so far on Mina, the zkApp mints the difference in new tokens for the user. - Always Backed 1:1: The total supply of bridged tokens on Mina will never exceed the ETH locked on Ethereum. --- ### WHY IS THIS TRUSTLESS? - No Single Operator: Anyone can replicate Nori’s proof generation if needed—it is open-source, permissionless code. - Cryptographic Guarantees: ZK proofs replace “trust me” with “verify mathematically.” If Nori’s infrastructure goes offline, a community of users or even a single individual can produce the proofs themselves. - Future-Proofing: As zero-knowledge technology advances, user experience (e.g., time to generate proofs, cost) will improve—without sacrificing decentralization. --- ### VISION FOR THE FUTURE - Beyond Mina: Nori’s modular design means we can replicate the system across other EVM chains (L1 or L2), Sui, Solana, or almost any chain that can verify or integrate ZK proofs. - Multiple Source Chains: While Ethereum is the flagship source, we plan to support OP Stack chains (such as Optimism or Arbitrum) — allowing their state to be proven to Mina (or any destination chain). - Bidirectional and Beyond: We’re already planning a two-way bridging solution under stealth. - Broader Applications: Nori isn’t just about tokens. It’s about bridging data of any kind—enabling cross-chain NFTs, decentralized identity, oracles, real-world assets, and more. --- ### WHY NORI MATTERS - True Blockchain Ethos: We preserve decentralization. Your blockchain doesn’t suddenly become “trusted” the moment it interacts with another chain. - ZK for the Win: Zero-knowledge proofs are the key to high-assurance, minimal trust bridging. - Open Infrastructure: Anyone can run it, modify it, or adapt it to their own use cases—no special permissions needed. - Infinite Potential: From cross-chain DeFi and NFT transfers to identity solutions, Nori’s approach enables a verifiable pipeline for data across ecosystems. --- ### FINAL THOUGHTS As the founder of Nori, I believe that if blockchains are truly to reshape finance and data, they must be able to interact trustlessly with each other. Nori’s model keeps sovereignty in the user’s hands: if you lose trust in any operator, you (or the community) can just generate the proofs yourself. That’s the power of zero-knowledge technology—we no longer need to compromise on decentralization for a better user experience. Over time, as technology evolves, the UX will catch up and match or surpass solutions that ask you to “just trust them.” Nori begins with Ethereum-to-Mina bridging, but we see a future where any chain can connect to any other with no trade-offs in trust. If you’re a developer, you might use Nori to verify specific Ethereum data inside a Mina smart contract. If you’re in marketing or communications, it’s a compelling story about forging a truly decentralized internet of blockchains. And if you’re an enthusiast, it’s a reminder that the core ideals of blockchain—open, permissionless, and trustless—can still guide us to solutions that let users stay in control. Thank you for reading, and welcome to the world of Nori—the future of cross-chain, zero-knowledge interoperability! --- ### RESOURCES & LINKS - Project GitHub: https://github.com/orgs/Nori-zk/repositories - Social: https://x.com/nori_zk