Taiko | Type-1 ZK-EVM Blockchain | Code Review

Introduction
Taiko is a new blockchain project that aims to provide a type-1 ZK-EVM blockchain, prioritizing perfect EVM/Ethereum equivalence over ZK-proof generation speed. Taiko’s design is built upon three core components, the ZK-EVM circuits, the L2 rollup node, and the protocol on L1. The ZK-EVM provides proof of correctness for EVM computations, the L2 rollup node manages the rollup chain, and the L1 protocol connects the two for rollup protocol verification.

Innovation
Taiko‘s innovation is centered around providing a ZK-EVM compatible blockchain, enabling Ethereum smart contract code to run as-is with zero changes necessary. This is a significant departure from the current ZK-Rollups in production that are mostly application-specific and cannot support the generalized computation of the EVM. This makes Taiko unique in its approach to scalability, while also preserving the compatibility with existing Ethereum L1 smart contracts and dApps. The project scores very high in Innovation, with a score of 10 out of 11.

Architecture
Taiko’s architecture is very detailed and well explained in the whitepaper. The blockchain is divided into three core components, each performing a specific function in the overall protocol. The design upholds the core principles of security, decentralization, and permissionlessness. The overall feeling about the architecture after deeper research is good, with a score of 11 out of 12.

Code Quality
Taiko’s code quality is good, with regular commits, extensive test coverage, and a high maintainability index. The project is open source, and the developers are active, experienced, and have a solid coding style. The quality of the code is good, well-commented, and has good test coverage. The project has a score of 13 out of 15 in Code Quality.

Product Roadmap
The Taiko mainnet is expected to launch in early 2024, and several testnets will be launched in between with each built over the top of the previous one, with more upgrades and features until all is completed for mainnet. Two bridges to move assets from Ethereum mainnet are already developed and launched.

Usability
Taiko can be integrated with existing EVM compatible infrastructure like wallets, making it easy to use for end customers. The project has a score of 5 out of 5 in Usability for Infrastructure Projects.

Team
The Taiko team has more than 5 active developers, with senior Git backgrounds and a solid coding style. The developers are experienced and active in the project’s development. The project has a score of 6 out of 7 in Team.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Taiko is a highly innovative project that aims to provide a type-1 ZK-EVM blockchain, preserving compatibility with existing Ethereum L1 smart contracts and dApps. The architecture is well designed, and the code quality is good. The project has a clear roadmap, and the team is experienced and active in the project’s development. With a score of 81.62%, Taiko is a promising project with potential in the blockchain space.