A Survey on the Implementation of zk-SNARK Hardware Accelerators

In recent years, Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) techniques have gained considerable traction in both academia and industry due to their ability to provide strong privacy guarantees while enabling trustless verification. Among various zero-knowledge proof schemes, the zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge (zk-SNARK) has attracted significant attention due to its fast verification and low communication overhead. However, the computational cost associated with proof generation remains high, creating a major obstacle to wider adoption. To address this challenge, zk-SNARK hardware accelerators have emerged as a promising solution to overcome these computational bottlenecks. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive study of the zk-SNARK hardware accelerators, covering both design and implementation. First, we present an overall design framework. Second, we detail the core computational processes involved in zk-SNARK protocols and explore key optimization strategies. In addition, we outline the main challenges currently hindering accelerator development and review recent research advancements in this domain. Finally, we discuss future directions for ZKP hardware accelerators, offering valuable insights and guidance for further research. We hope this work will serve as a useful starting point for new researchers entering the field of zk-SNARK hardware accelerators.