Polygon

Polygon zkEVM Security Model

Updated 2025
Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Inheriting Ethereum Security

Polygon zkEVM inherits the security of the Ethereum mainnet directly by publishing validity proofs on-chain. These cryptographic proofs ensure that all off-chain computations are correct and tamper-proof. Unlike Polygon PoS which relies on its own validator set, zkEVM provides mathematical guarantees — even if the Layer 2 network were compromised, the cryptographic proof system would prevent invalid state transitions from being accepted on Ethereum.

Zero-Knowledge Proof System

ZK-Rollups aggregate multiple transactions into compressed batches and generate a succinct cryptographic proof — a validity proof — that attests to the correctness of every transaction in the batch. This proof is then submitted to the Ethereum mainnet, where a smart contract verifies its validity. The elegance of this system is that it requires no trust in any operator: the mathematics guarantee correctness. This makes Polygon zkEVM ideal for high-value DeFi applications that require maximum security.

EVM Equivalence vs EVM Compatibility

Polygon zkEVM achieves EVM equivalence — a higher standard than the EVM compatibility offered by Polygon PoS. EVM equivalence means the execution environment is a near-perfect replica of Ethereum, allowing developers to deploy existing Ethereum smart contracts without any modifications, and without worrying about edge cases in complex dApp logic. Polygon PoS, while EVM compatible, may require occasional adaptations for complex low-level code, making zkEVM the preferred choice for teams wanting zero friction when migrating from Ethereum mainnet.

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