Proof Aggregation Is More Than Compression

Proof aggregation keeps coming up in protocol discussions. At first glance it's just a clever way to bundle zero knowledge proofs together and cut down on storage. But it's something deeper. When you can aggregate many proofs into one, the verification process gets streamlined for everyone. Validators do not have to check a pile of individual attestations. They just verify a single compact object. This saves a lot of effort, but it also changes the dynamic of trust in the system.

If agents are submitting claims or computations, aggregated proofs let the network check everything at once. That opens up room for more complex interactions. Agents might specialize in different parts of a workflow, then merge their results into one proof. Suddenly, composability in agent systems becomes more practical. The incentives shift too. If you can prove many things with one check, you can design new economics around joint work and shared rewards.

When rollups and L2s start relying on proof aggregation by default, things change. Maybe we end up with blockchains that verify almost everything in batches. That could change the way we structure applications. Instead of building for individual transactions, maybe developers start thinking about collective states and group outcomes.

This all feels like more than just an upgrade to efficiency. Aggregation nudges the whole ecosystem toward new coordination patterns. It might affect incentives, privacy, and even governance. The technical gains are clear, but the social effects might be just as important.