How MidenVM is Building a Future of Unbounded Scalability

Today, we’re exploring Polygon Miden with Dominik Schmidt and Bobbin Threadbare.

While you’ve likely heard about ZK rollups and even Polygon’s popular zkEVM, Miden takes a very different approach: it enables client-side proving, where users generate transaction proofs directly on their own devices.

This is a rethink of how onchain systems handle privacy, state, and computation.

Unlike other ZK systems that depend on massive server infrastructure, MidenVM is optimized to run lightweight proofs on laptops, smartphones, or even in a browser. This unlocks what the team calls “unbounded scalability,” allowing users to compute and verify proofs for even the most complex transactions without overburdening the network. It also helps address a common pain point in DeFi: state bloat. Miden minimizes onchain data by letting users keep much of their state off-chain, storing only cryptographic commitments on the blockchain.

For developers, Miden offers a new programming model inspired by distributed systems. With smart contracts built around accounts and nodes, the possibilities extend beyond traditional Ethereum-based models. With Rust support and a compiler in the works, the team is lowering the barrier for developers to bring their ideas to life in this innovative environment.

If you’re curious about how Polygon Miden fits into the larger Polygon ecosystem, its integration with AggLayer, or how it compares to traditional rollups, stick around.

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