# Mina: A constant-size blockchain Content type: Research Paper Summary: This whitepaper introduces Mina Protocol (formerly Coda Protocol), a "succinct blockchain" designed to maintain a constant blockchain size regardless of the number of transactions or the history it contains. The core innovation lies in its continuous and recursive application of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (ZK-SNARKs). Instead of requiring nodes to download and verify the entire transaction history, Mina compresses the entire blockchain state into a small, fixe Key concepts: Izaak Meckler, Evan Shapiro, zero-knowledge proof, snarks, blockchain size, decentralization, scalability, full node, succinct blockchain, recursive snarks
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Mina: A constant-size blockchain

Izaak Meckler, Evan Shapiro

Project WhitepaperJanuary 2020

Abstract

This whitepaper introduces Mina Protocol (formerly Coda Protocol), a "succinct blockchain" designed to maintain a constant blockchain size regardless of the number of transactions or the history it contains. The core innovation lies in its continuous and recursive application of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (ZK-SNARKs). Instead of requiring nodes to download and verify the entire transaction history, Mina compresses the entire blockchain state into a small, fixed-size cryptographic proof (approximately 22KB). This proof can be quickly verified, attesting to the validity of the entire chain from its genesis block. This methodology drastically reduces the resource requirements for running a full node, thereby increasing network decentralization and accessibility, as even devices with limited computational power can participate fully. The paper details the recursive SNARK construction and the consensus mechanism (Ouroboros Samasika), which is a Proof-of-Stake variant. Mina represents a significant advancement in addressing the 'state bloat' problem faced by growing blockchains.

Key Findings

  • 1Mina Protocol implements a "succinct blockchain" with a constant size, regardless of transaction history.
  • 2It achieves this through the continuous and recursive application of Zero-Knowledge SNARKs.
  • 3The entire blockchain state is compressed into a small cryptographic proof (approx. 22KB).
  • 4This design significantly lowers the resource requirements for running a full node, enhancing decentralization.
  • 5Mina utilizes a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism called Ouroboros Samasika.

Topics

zero-knowledge proofsnarksblockchain sizedecentralizationscalabilityfull nodesuccinct blockchainrecursive snarks
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Citation

Izaak Meckler, Evan Shapiro (2020). Mina: A constant-size blockchain. Project Whitepaper. https://minaprotocol.com/wp-content/uploads/mina-whitepaper-1.1.pdf

BibTeX

@misc{minaa2020,
  title = {Mina: A constant-size blockchain},
  author = {Izaak Meckler and Evan Shapiro},
  year = {2020},
  howpublished = {\url{https://minaprotocol.com/wp-content/uploads/mina-whitepaper-1.1.pdf}},
}

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