Kakarot zkEVM: Ethereum Virtual Machine built with Cairo language

Kakarot zkEVM is an Ethereum Virtual Machine written in Cairo language (EVM). Cairo is a Turing-complete language associated with CairoVM. CairoVM utilizes polynomials and the ZK-STARK proof system to achieve provable computation.

The characteristics of zkEVM are that it can generate provable transactions and blocks. Since Kakarot is built on top of CairoVM, every transaction executed on it is provable.

Overall, Kakarot zkEVM utilizes the Cairo language and ZK-STARK proof system to provide verifiable computational capabilities. It enables developers to deploy EVM applications and allows users to interact with these applications using common tools.

In addition, Kakarot will also provide interoperability with the Starknet protocol, offering composability for protocols in different fields such as DeFi and GameFi.

Development Roadmap

The project was launched in October 2022, with the goal of creating a zkEVM with less than 10,000 lines of code. This goal was achieved in just six months. The testnet is scheduled to be released by the end of summer 2023.

The roadmap for Kakarot zkEVM is divided into three stages:

1. Kakarot zkEVM on Starknet: Bringing EVM to Starknet

Kakarot zkEVM will initially exist as a built-in EVM in Starknet's L2. Developers can deploy Solidity smart contracts directly on Starknet and use familiar tools. The user experience will be the same as on Polygon, Scroll, or Ethereum L1.

2. Kakarot x Madara:L3 zkEVMs

Kakarot and Madara will integrate to enable L3 zkEVMs, and even L4, L5, etc. Teams can deploy zkEVM application chains and settle transactions on Starknet using validity proofs. This approach can decouple security and decentralization while reducing costs and improving performance.

3. Kakarot x Madara:type 1 zkEVM

   If we can write Ethereum consensus rules using Cairo and switch from Pedersen MPT to Keccak MPT, Kakarot can become a type 1 zkEVM client capable of proving L1 blocks. This depends on the development roadmap of Ethereum, especially the Verge upgrade.

Team

The Kakarot core team was born out of a hackathon in Lisbon. There are currently over 40 contributors.

Main members include:

• Elias Tazartes: Co-founder and CEO, focusing on blockchain engineering and full-stack development
• Clément Walter: Co-founder and CTO, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur

Financing

Kakarot has completed its pre-seed funding round, with the specific amount not disclosed. Investors include Starkware, LambDa, as well as angel investors Vitalik Buterin, Ledger co-founder Nicolas Bacca, and ZAMA co-founder Rand Hindi.

Summary

Kakarot, as an EVM implementation on Starknet, can effectively connect the Starknet and Ethereum ecosystems. It lowers the development threshold, allowing Ethereum ecosystem projects to build on Starknet while maintaining the security and low cost of Ethereum.

The development of Kakarot is closely tied to the Starknet ecosystem. It has the support of Vitalik Buterin and StarkWare, which is an advantage. However, compared to other zkEVM projects, the Kakarot team is smaller, with a lower budget and brand recognition, which is also one of the reasons it has not yet been deployed as a general-purpose zkEVM L2.

Kakarot is still in the early stages, with the testnet set to be released soon. Future developments are worth paying attention to.