What is Precompiles (EVM)

EVM precompiles are special smart contract addresses (1 through 9 and beyond on some chains) that perform computationally expensive cryptographic operations at dramatically lower gas cost than implementing the same operations in Solidity. Precompiles are built directly into the EVM client software — executed in native C++/Rust rather than interpreted EVM bytecode, making them orders of magnitude faster. WHY PRECOMPILES EXIST The EVM is a stack-based virtual machine that executes bytecode — efficient for general logic but slow for cryptographic operations. Implementing SHA-256 in EVM bytecode would cost millions of gas. Running it as a precompile costs 60 gas. Without precompiles, operations essential for blockchain security and interoperability would be prohibitively expensive. CORE ETHEREUM PRECOMPILES Address 0x01 — ecRecover: Recovers the Ethereum address from a digital signature. Used in every transaction to verify the sender. Essential for signature verification in smart contracts. Address 0x02 — SHA2-256: Computes SHA-256 hash. Used for Bitcoin cross-chain verification (Bitcoin uses SHA-256 internally). Address 0x03 — RIPEMD-160: Hash function used in Bitcoin address generation. Enables cross-chain compatibility checks. Address 0x04 — Identity (datacopy): Copies data in memory — utility function. Address 0x05-0x07 — BigInt Modular Exponentiation, BN256 Add, BN256 Multiply: Mathematical operations on BN128 elliptic curve — essential building blocks for ZK-SNARK verification. Address 0x08 — BN256 Pairing: The most important precompile for ZK proofs. Elliptic curve pairing operations are the core cryptographic primitive in ZK-SNARK verification. Without this precompile, on-chain ZK proof verification would cost 100+ million gas — impossibly expensive. Address 0x09 — BLAKE2f: Hash function used for Zcash and other BLAKE2 systems. ZK PROOF DEPENDENCY ON PRECOMPILES Every ZK-Rollup (zkSync, Starknet, Scroll) that posts validity proofs to Ethereum depends on precompiles for proof verification. The BN256 pairing precompile (EIP-197) makes it economically feasible to verify ZK proofs on Ethereum mainnet. New precompiles proposed: BLS12-381 curve operations (EIP-2537) for more efficient BLS signature verification and next-generation ZK proofs. Point evaluation precompile (EIP-4844) for blob verification.

Terms in addition to the Precompiles (EVM)

Blockchain

A blockchain is a subset of a distributed database. The Bitcoin inventors originally prototyped the system in 2008. This modern database is made up of separate blocks that are connected together in a chronological chain. Blockchains may be used to store a wide range of data types. It has mostly been utilized as a public ledger for bitcoin transactions to date. A peer-to-peer network comprised of independent nodes uses a consensus process to ensure the blockchain's security and legitimacy. Each node in the network keeps a public and immutable copy of the data.

2 Factor Authentication (2FA)

2 Factor Authentication is a security measure with two layers. It is used by the majority of cryptocurrency exchanges. To log in, you must provide not only a password, but also a code obtained, for example, from the Google authenticator.

Airdrop

An airdrop is a method of distributing coins. End users can typically obtain coins for free or in exchange for doing a small task, such as subscribing to a newsletter, sending a tweet, or inviting others via a personal affiliate link. Cryptocurrency airdrops — the act of depositing cryptocurrency into public crypto wallets — are utilized as a marketing, liquidity creation, and network bootstrapping technique for many different types of blockchain initiatives.

Altcoin

Altcoin - "alternative coin" - is any kind of digital currency other than Bitcoin. Since the launch of Bitcoin, the world's first digital currency, many altcoins (as well as supporting blockchains) have been created. Altcoin digital currencies share many similarities to Bitcoin, but consistently and have significant differences. There are about 20,000 altcoins, and this number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Altcoins often develop Bitcoin features. Ethereum, currently the most widely used blockchain, supports digital contracts and separate applications where Bitcoin does not. Altcoins are also often created to cater to the needs of different users. The Litecoin blockchain, for example, can process payments quarterly for the duration of Bitcoin.

Cold Storage

Cold storage is the way to store cryptocurrency offline. The word refers to the use of offline wallets that are not connected to the internet. Cold storage is the most secure way to keep cryptocurrencies since an offline currency becomes less likely to be hacked and stolen. Paper wallets, printed renditions of private keys, and offline hardware and software wallets are all examples of cold storage.