Ethereum Foundation unveils zkAPI for private AI model payments
The zero-knowledge system lets users fund an Ethereum vault and authorize spending without tying their identity to individual API requests.
The Ethereum Foundation has launched zkAPI, a system intended to let users pay for access to AI models without disclosing their identity to the API provider.
In the design outlined by the foundation, a user deposits funds into an Ethereum vault and then authorizes spending using zero-knowledge proofs. The provider can confirm that payment is backed by deposited funds, but cannot link a given request back to the payer.
How the payment flow is structured
- User funds are held in a vault on Ethereum.
- Spending is authorized with zero-knowledge proofs rather than a direct transfer tied to an account.
- The API provider verifies payment without being able to connect requests to a specific payer.
Zero-knowledge proofs have become a common tool for proving statements about funds or credentials on public blockchains without revealing the underlying data. Further details of the zkAPI rollout, including supported models, participating providers and availability, were not included in the initial announcement.