ZKM
ZKM builds Ziren, a MIPS-based general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine, and the Entangled Rollup Network for trust-minimized cross-chain interoperability and unified native liquidity. It serves L2 protocols, Bitcoin L2 builders, and Web3 developers through open-source tooling and a usage-based Proving Service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersSan Leandro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ZKM does
ZKM is a San Leandro, California-based infrastructure company founded in 2023 that builds zero-knowledge proof tooling for cross-chain interoperability and blockchain scaling. Its core product, Ziren, is a general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) based on the MIPS32r2 instruction set that enables any program written in Rust, Go, C/C++ and compiled to MIPS ELF to be proven with ZK proofs (STARK, PLONK, Groth16). Ziren is differentiated by hardware acceleration (CUDA/AVX achieving up to 30x faster proofs versus CPU), proof aggregation inside the zkVM, custom cryptographic primitives (KoalaBear prime field, Multiset Hashing), and built-in precompiles for common elliptic-curve and hashing operations.
ZKM packages Ziren into three primary use-case products: the Entangled Rollup Network, a trust-minimized cross-chain interoperability layer enabling unified native liquidity and VM-agnostic asset transfer without bridges; Hybrid Rollups, which combine Optimistic and ZK rollup mechanics with configurable challenge windows and ZK-validity-based withdrawals; and a Bitcoin L2 stack using BitVM2 for native BTC security and sustainable yield. Flagship implementations include Metis (first Hybrid Rollup) and GOAT Network (first Bitcoin L2 on the Entangled Network).
ZKM's business model is product-led and developer-centric, distributing the Ziren SDK open-source on GitHub and monetizing via the Ziren Proof Network — a usage-based Proving Service that lets developers and protocols generate Groth16 proofs over a RESTful API without local hardware. The Proving Service is in a limited-availability initial testing phase with application-based access and no publicly disclosed pricing. The company closed a $5 million Pre-Series A in May 2024 led by OKX Ventures with participation from Amber, Metis Foundation, and Crypto.com, and operates with 11-50 employees.
ZKM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZKM
- Legal name
- ZKM
- Website
- https://zkm.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ZKM builds Ziren, a MIPS-based general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine, and the Entangled Rollup Network for trust-minimized cross-chain interoperability and unified native liquidity. It serves L2 protocols, Bitcoin L2 builders, and Web3 developers through open-source tooling and a usage-based Proving Service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZKM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Zero-Knowledge Proof Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Layer 2 Scaling & Rollups (optimistic/ZK, sequencers, DA usage) (FSAPAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Layer-2 (L2) / Rollup Sequencer & Validator Operations (FSADAKAB), Cross-Chain Security & Verification (light clients, zk/optimistic proofs, validation networks) (FSAPAKAF)
Keywords
Where ZKM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Leandro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ZKM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Proving Service / Proof Generation: ZKM offers a Ziren Proof Network providing proof generation as a service. Users offload proof generation to ZKM's servers, paying for computational resources consumed. The service is currently in limited testing phase with application-based access. Revenue is derived from proving fees for ZK proof generation, with potential usage-based and subscription tiers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
ZKM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZKM develops Ziren, a general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) based on the MIPS32r2 instruction set that allows any program compiled to MIPS to generate a ZK proof. Alongside the zkVM, ZKM provides the Entangled Rollup Network for cross-chain interoperability and unified native liquidity, a Hybrid Rollup framework combining optimistic execution with ZK fraud proofs, Bitcoin L2 solutions, and a distributed Proving Service (Ziren Proof Network) for offloaded proof generation.
Product overview
ZKM offers a unified product portfolio centered around Ziren, its general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM). The ecosystem includes the Entangled Rollup Network for cross-chain interoperability and Universal Settlement, the Hybrid Rollup solution combining Optimistic and ZK Rollups, and the Bitcoin L2/BTC Economy for extending Bitcoin. The Ziren Proof Network provides network-based proof generation services. Together, these products enable scalable, secure, and interoperable blockchain solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ziren (zkVM)
Quantifiable outcome
- 30x faster core proof generation with GPU (CUDA) versus CPU-based proving
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ZKM
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ZKM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature13 records
ZKM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Metis (Hybrid Rollup Partnership)coreMetis is implementing Ziren to build the first Hybrid Rollup. Ziren provides the ZK rollup component enabling Metis L2s to generate validity proofs for their computations, integrating seamlessly with existing optimistic rollup architecture. This is a flagship use case demonstrating Ziren's hybrid rollup capabilities.
- GOAT NetworkcoreGOAT Network is a Bitcoin L2 and the first L2 implemented on ZKM's Entangled Network. It leverages Ziren for real-time ZK proof generation and BitVM2 for Bitcoin-native settlement. Ziren's proofs power cross-chain interoperability through the Entangled Rollup Network, with GOAT serving as a flagship implementation.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ZKM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RISC Zero: RISC Zero builds a RISC-V-based zkVM (Bonsai / R0VM) and a proving-as-a-service network for verifiable computation. It is the closest architectural competitor to ZKM's Ziren — both target general-purpose verifiable compute via mainstream instruction sets, competing head-to-head for developer mind-share and protocol integrations.
- Succinct Labs: Succinct develops SP1, a RISC-V zkVM, plus a decentralized prover network and the OP Succinct hybrid rollup stack. SP1 competes directly with Ziren for zkVM adoption, and Succinct's Hybrid Rollup offering overlaps with ZKM's Hybrid Rollup product on Metis.
- Polygon Miden: Polygon Miden is a STARK-based zkVM / L2 using the Miden VM. It is a direct competitor to Ziren in the race to establish a developer-friendly, general-purpose zkVM standard for L2 execution and verifiable computation.
- Scroll: Scroll is a zkEVM-based ZK rollup focused on EVM-equivalence with validity proofs. It is a direct peer to ZKM's Hybrid Rollup product, both targeting L2 protocols that want ZK-secured execution, and competes for the same L2 protocol customers.
Broad incumbents
- Starkware: Starkware operates StarkNet, a major ZK-rollup L2 with the Cairo VM and STARK proving infrastructure. As a well-capitalized incumbent, it competes with ZKM's zkVM and rollup offerings across a broader portfolio, including validity proofs and shared sequencing.
- zkSync (Matter Labs): zkSync is one of the largest ZK-rollup L2s, offering zkEVM and a proving stack. As an established incumbent with deep resources, it competes with ZKM's rollup products for protocol integrations, developer mind-share, and ecosystem liquidity.
- Aleo: Aleo is a ZK-based Layer-1 with its own zkVM (Leo/Aleo) focused on privacy-preserving applications. While its focus on privacy differs from ZKM's cross-chain liquidity angle, it competes in the broader zkVM ecosystem for developer adoption and protocol design mind-share.
Emerging players
- Nil Foundation: Nil Foundation builds zkLLVM, a compiler toolchain that turns Rust/C++ into ZK circuits, and contributes to zkVerse infrastructure. It overlaps with ZKM's value proposition of making ZK proving more accessible to non-circuit developers.
Regional players
- GOAT Network: GOAT Network is a Bitcoin L2 that uses Ziren's zkVM and BitVM2 for settlement. It is both a customer and strategic co-development partner; it is included here as a relevant ecosystem peer given its flagship role in ZKM's Bitcoin L2 narrative.
- Metis: Metis is an Ethereum L2 implementing Ziren's Hybrid Rollup architecture. As both a technology customer and an investor, Metis is a key ecosystem reference deployment for ZKM, validating the Hybrid Rollup product commercially.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ZKM social profiles
Digital presenceZKM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZKM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ZKM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZKM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZKM
What does ZKM do?
ZKM develops Ziren, a general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) based on the MIPS32r2 instruction set that allows any program compiled to MIPS to generate a ZK proof. Alongside the zkVM, ZKM provides the Entangled Rollup Network for cross-chain interoperability and unified native liquidity, a Hybrid Rollup framework combining optimistic execution with ZK fraud proofs, Bitcoin L2 solutions, and a distributed Proving Service (Ziren Proof Network) for offloaded proof generation.
Is ZKM a public or private company?
ZKM is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ZKM founded?
ZKM was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ZKM based?
ZKM is headquartered in San Leandro, United States, in the North America region.
How does ZKM make money?
One revenue line is on record: proving Service / Proof Generation.
Who are ZKM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RISC Zero, Succinct Labs, Polygon Miden and Scroll. Broad incumbents are Starkware, zkSync (Matter Labs) and Aleo. Nil Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are GOAT Network and Metis.
Does ZKM have an API?
Yes. Ziren Proof Network offers a RESTful API for network-based proof generation. The network prover supports the Groth16 proving mode and provides access to high-performance servers for proof generation. Users can register and obtain SSL certificates to access the proving service via API. Developer documentation is at docs.zkm.io/dev/prover.html.
What industry is ZKM in?
ZKM's product category is Zero-Knowledge Proof Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPAAAB, Layer 2 Scaling & Rollups (optimistic/ZK, sequencers, DA usage), with a secondary code of FSADAKAB, Layer-2 (L2) / Rollup Sequencer & Validator Operations. Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7371.