Semaphore Implementation in Noir – WakeUp Labs

[0xmdh]

Summary

WakeUp Labs proposes to develop Semaphore in Noir, a privacy-preserving identity management and anonymous signaling system for decentralized applications.

Our project will focus on:

• Adapting Semaphore circuits to Noir for scalable, privacy-preserving identity management.
• Developing and implementing Semaphore in Noir, covering identity generation, group management, zk-proofs, and smart contracts.
• Optimizing Noir primitives to improve ZK proof efficiency and reduce gas costs, including adapting the Barretenberg proving system & Solidity verifier.
• Benchmarking & optimizing primitives while open-sourcing the implementation for broader adoption.
• Deploying a production-ready Semaphore-Noir implementation with quality documentation and reusable Noir libraries/tools.

Our goal is to deliver a high-performance, privacy-enhancing solution to the Noir ecosystem within one month.

---

Team

WakeUp Labs is a software development studio specializing in advanced development services for EVM-Compatible Chains, DAOs, protocols, and startups. With over 6 years of experience in the blockchain industry, we have worked with leading organizations such as Optimism, Arbitrum, Starkware, BitcoinOS, Coinbase, and Rootstock, providing end-to-end solutions from concept and strategy to design and implementation. Our team has successfully launched over 45 projects across Latin America, the USA, and Europe, and we specialize in smart contract development, infrastructure, and protocol design.

This team has previously experience such us:

• Developed a Noir-based ZKP ERC20 implementation with Starkware Foundation. This is a PoC for a private token based on the ERC-20 standard, with ZK circuits, contracts, and a frontend interface implementing methods such as transfer, approve, and transfer_from, among others. Using a notes system and asymmetric encryption, a design was proposed and implemented to execute these methods privately, without revealing transaction amounts or the users involved. https://github.com/wakeuplabs-io/starkware-private-erc20
• zkBridge Research & Development: Currently working on a zkBridge between Bitcoin and EVM, focusing on testing consensus circuits in Circom and SP1 to enable secure and efficient cross-chain transactions.
• ZK Proof of Humanity: Implemented a privacy-preserving solution for the Proof of Humanity protocol using Semaphore. The project, funded by a PSE group grant for Semaphore-based applications, enabled users to verify their humanity without exposing their identities. Led a team to develop the solution using Solidity, Hardhat, React, and Next.js, delivering it successfully within the agreed timeline and receiving positive feedback. https://github.com/elmol/zk-proof-of-humanity https://github.com/elmol/zk-proof-of-humanity-vote
• ZK University (ZKU) Graduate: Completed an intensive six-week program on zero-knowledge proofs, gaining hands-on experience in zk technology. As a final project, developed zkGuessWho, an on-chain "Guess Who" game utilizing zk proofs for privacy. The project was implemented with Solidity, Hardhat, Circom, React, and Ether.js and deployed on the Harmony blockchain. https://github.com/elmol/zk-guess-who
• zkCity Bootcamp Participant: Engaged in an advanced bootcamp focused on cryptography and zero-knowledge applications, deepening expertise in zk cryptography through workshops and collaborative projects. https://www.zkcity.xyz/

Timeline and Deliverables

Week 1 (April 1–7): Research & Benchmarking

• Analyze Semaphore implementations and performance benchmarks from projects like Aztec & Semaphore on other platforms.
• Deliverables: Initial performance report + benchmark comparison.

Week 2 (April 8–14): Circuit Design & Implementation

• Design Semaphore-specific circuits using Noir’s ZK primitives, leveraging recursive proofs & batching for efficiency.
• Deliverables: Circuit designs for identity management & Merkle proof verification.

Week 3 (April 15–21): Optimization & Performance Testing

• Implement optimizations for proof generation & gas efficiency, test scalability under high transaction loads.
• Deliverables: Optimized circuits, performance benchmarks, gas analysis, & load testing results.

Week 4 (April 22–28): Deployment & Documentation

• Finalize testing, deploy on testnet, and create developer documentation.
• Deliverables: Production-ready Semaphore-Noir implementation, open-source code, & documentation.

Final Delivery (April 30):

• Fully functional Semaphore in Noir, ready for decentralized applications with comprehensive developer resources.

Start Date
April 1, 2025

Completion Date
April 30, 2025

[Savio-Sou]

Thank you for submitting the proposal!

The selected proposal is now announced: https://x.com/PrivacyScaling/status/1900014440910614653

Albeit falling short, the selection was no easy choice at all. I would love to personally thank your team for investing the time and effort in preparing the proposal.

As a gesture of appreciation, here is an exclusive early application form to the NoirHack building program that will go live publicly in a few weeks time: https://tally.so/r/3NRdaW

In the meantime, don't hesitate to jump on the Noir Discord to hang out with the bigger Noir community and the PSE Discord to follow Semaphore's development progress.

Hope to see you around. Let's make noir gud together 🫡