LayerZero and a16z have launched Lattice Jolt, a quantum-resistant verification system, enhancing blockchain efficiency and security.
On September 9, the launch of Lattice Jolt marked a significant advancement in blockchain technology, introducing a computation verification system designed to withstand potential quantum attacks. Developers from a16z crypto reported that this new version has accelerated the creation and verification of cryptographic proofs by two to three times.
Introducing Lattice Jolt ⚡️
A new version of our open-source zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine): faster and post-quantum, with compact proofs built on lattice-based cryptography.
The key unlocking this innovation is Akita, a new polynomial commitment scheme developed in collaboration with LayerZero.
— a16z crypto (@a16zcrypto) September 9, 2026
Lattice Jolt facilitates program execution verification using compact cryptographic proofs, which allows the verifying party to avoid repeating computations. This capability is crucial for enhancing blockchain scalability.
Transitioning to Lattice-Based Security
A key feature of this update is Akita, a cryptographic element designed by the LayerZero team in partnership with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Southern California. Akita replaces the previous elliptic curve component, Dory, switching to a lattice-based approach.
The upgrade aims for a robust 128-bit security level, specifically tailored to resist quantum attacks. This aligns with newer post-quantum standards, such as ML-KEM and ML-DSA, which were endorsed by NIST for ensuring encryption key safety and digital signatures.
LayerZero highlighted that the introduction of Akita represents a foundational step towards achieving a Quantum-Proof Zero system, citing Jolt as a core application for Akita that is also available for other developers.
As the release of the mainnet approaches, LayerZero confirmed that securing the Zero infrastructure against quantum threats remains a priority.
Performance Enhancements
With the transition to lattice-based cryptography, the number size in central computations has decreased from 256 bits to 128 bits, significantly expediting operations. Prior iterations of Jolt produced proofs at roughly 1 million RISC-V cycles per second on a MacBook. In contrast, Lattice Jolt has surpassed 2 million cycles, reaching up to 10 million cycles when utilizing a GPU via Apple Metal, although the specific laptop model was not disclosed.
This marked tenfold performance improvement results from both the new cryptographic scheme and enhanced GPU utilization. The proof size for Lattice Jolt remains under 100 KB, and Akita enables proof size reductions of 2 to 8 times compared to existing post-quantum solutions, depending on use cases.
A future paper will elaborate on the zero-knowledge disclosure capability for Lattice Jolt, crucial for safeguarding sensitive computation data. It's important to note that the zkVM designation does not automatically ensure privacy, as previously mentioned by a16z.
Currently, the Jolt project is in its alpha phase, indicating it is not ready for commercial deployment. Recently, IonQ experts discussed the necessary quantum computing power that could potentially threaten Bitcoin's security.
