Espresso Systems
Espresso Systems is a technology company that develops cryptographic and consensus solutions, including the HotShot finality gadget and VERI-ZEXE, and operates a sequencing marketplace for rollups.
Services
Espresso Systems offers a sequencing marketplace where rollups can sell slots to participating sequencers. This marketplace is supported by the company's consensus protocol, which functions as a finality layer. The consensus mechanism is driven by their HotShot finality gadget, an optimistically responsive Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus protocol designed to ensure fast transaction finality. Additionally, Espresso Systems provides CAPE, a product aimed at offering custom data privacy for digital assets.
Developed Technologies
Espresso Systems has developed several key technologies. These include the HotShot consensus protocol, a high throughput and fast finality BFT protocol. Additionally, they created VERI-ZEXE, a decentralized private computation system with a universal setup. The company has also developed Hyperplonk, a zero-knowledge proof (zk-proof) system tailored for Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zkEVMs). Lastly, they offer Jellyfish, a toolkit of cryptographic primitives fully implemented in Rust.
Funding and Investments
Espresso Systems successfully raised $28 million in a Series B funding round led by a16z crypto. This capital injection is expected to accelerate development and expansion efforts within their service and technology offerings.
Partnerships
Espresso Systems has established partnerships with several prominent entities in the blockchain and cryptographic sectors. Their partners include Polygon, Taiko, o1Labs, StarkWare, and Offchain Labs. These collaborations likely enhance the company's technological capabilities and market reach.