ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs · 1/2
SNARKs: succinct and fast to verify
ZK-SNARK stands for Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge. 'Succinct' means the proof is small and fast to verify, even for a statement about a huge amount of underlying computation. 'Non-interactive' means the prover and verifier don't need to go back and forth, one proof, generated once, can be verified by anyone at any time.
The catch: most SNARK systems require a 'trusted setup,' a one-time ceremony that generates special parameters. If that ceremony is compromised, the security of every proof built on it could be at risk, which is why serious projects run these ceremonies publicly, with many independent participants, so no single party could have retained the secret.