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Marlin

Marlin is a Rust library implementing a preprocessing zkSNARK for Rank-1 Constraint Systems (R1CS), with a universal, updatable structured reference string (SRS) and succinct verification.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Marlin — OpenViST project profile in ZK & Privacy.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Consider Marlin when an application needs a preprocessing zkSNARK for R1CS and its proof workflow calls for universal, updatable SRS parameters. Assess its stated prototype and review limitations before considering deployment.

Who it is for

  • Rust developers building proof-generation or verification components for applications expressed as R1CS.
  • Researchers and developers studying preprocessing zkSNARKs with universal, updatable SRS parameters.

Documented uses

  • Preprocess an R1CS computation to produce a short summary for subsequent proof checks.
  • Build a proof-system component that supports succinct verification for arguments about the preprocessed computation.
  • Use an SRS that supports computations up to a size bound and can be updated with fresh randomness.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The public GitHub repository provides the Rust library. It is dual-licensed under MIT and Apache 2.0.

  • The library implements the algebraic holographic proof component and imports its polynomial commitment scheme from arkworks-rs/poly-commit.
  • The universal SRS supports preprocessing computations up to a size bound; the SRS is also updatable.
  • The README calls the implementation an academic prototype, says it has not received careful code review, and states it is not ready for production use.
  • Published benchmark comparisons specify particular commitment configurations and a test machine, so their measurements are configuration-specific.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Build the Marlin library with Cargo

Compile the repository in release mode using the documented stable Rust toolchain.

Before you start

  • Rust and rustup
  • The stable Rust toolchain
  • Cargo

Steps

  1. Install rustup by following the instructions at rustup.rs or through your platform's package manager.

  2. Install the stable toolchain with rustup install stable.

  3. Clone the Marlin repository and change into its directory.

  4. Build the library with the command below.

    Documented command
    cargo build --release

Expected outcome

Cargo builds the Marlin library in release mode.

Guide limitations

  • The guide covers building, not integrating Marlin into an application or producing and verifying a proof.
  • The project README identifies the implementation as an academic prototype that is not ready for production use.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
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Sources checked
17 October 2026
Original website title
arkworks-rs/marlin · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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