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Terminology

Key terms and concepts used throughout ZKNetwork documentation.

Core Concepts​

Lunar Layer​

The encrypted, privacy-preserving substrate beneath visible applications.

Solar Layer​

The visible, public-facing layer containing user-facing applications, hardware, and community coordination tools.

Regenerative Tokenomics​

An economic model where value flows back into the network through locked staking, treasury accumulation, and ecosystem grants — creating a self-sustaining feedback loop.

ZK-Native​

Built from the ground up with zero-knowledge cryptography as a foundational element, not an add-on.

DePIN​

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network — community-owned physical infrastructure (mesh networks, edge compute, IoT devices).

Technology​

Aztec​

Privacy layer for Ethereum enabling confidential transactions through encryption and proof systems.

Noir​

The universal zero-knowledge programming language used to write ZK circuits and smart contracts in ZKNetwork.

Mix Network (Mixnet)​

A routing protocol that anonymizes communication by mixing messages from multiple senders, making traffic analysis ineffective.

ZK-PKI​

Zero-Knowledge Public Key Infrastructure — privacy-preserving registry for cryptographic identities and attestations.

ZK-Firewall​

Zero-knowledge access control using proofs instead of identity disclosure.

Governance​

Meta DAO​

The root governance body controlling treasury, protocol upgrades, and constitutional changes.

SudDAO​

Specialized sub-DAOs operating semi-autonomously under DAO-defined mandates with their own governance charters.

ZK Voting​

Privacy-preserving governance where vote weight and choices are verified via ZK proofs without revealing voter identity or stake.

Guardians​

Ethos-aligned actors with veto power ensuring proposals align with mission principles.

Tokenomics​

ZKN Token​

The network's coordination token powering access, verification, governance, incentives, and regeneration.

Yield Vault​

Stablecoin rewards pool for network operators and stakers.

Proof-of-Commitment​

Staking requirement where grant recipients must lock a portion of received tokens back into the network.

See also: Architecture