Trustless Verification of Client Chain State

There are two methods for Imua network to trustlessly verify changes in the client chain state:

1. Traditional Light Client:

   Imua validators operate light clients for the integrated client chains, using them to verify relevant state changes using the Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) approach. Most mainstream blockchains, such as Ethereum, have a traditional light client implementation [helios] that’s relatively low-cost to host.

2. ZK-based Light Client:

   Rather than verifying headers in the canonical chain by directly verifying the correctness of the consensus protocol, a ZK-based light client can authenticate headers using zero-knowledge proofs. ZK-based light client is generally more efficient and light-weight than a traditional light client.

Imua will adopt the ZK Light Client, developed by Polyhedra and hosted within the LayerZero cross-chain communication protocol for any supported blockchains. For blockchains not supported by ZK Light Client, we will resort to the traditional SPV light client approach to validate their state modifications.

In both scenarios, validators must achieve consensus after verifying the client chain state change, then carry out corresponding modifications to the Imua accounting state.