Dark Null Protocol: Private Solana Settlement With Optimistic ZK

Privacy when it matters. Challengeable security when it counts.

Shield. Commit. Challenge if needed. Finalize.

Dark Null Protocol is Parad0x Labs' privacy-focused settlement and transfer protocol for Solana. It uses a lazy-verification model: the normal path posts a compact on-chain claim, while full proof verification remains permissionless through a challenge path.

This repository is a public interface and documentation shell. Circuits, proving keys, relayer internals, and proprietary optimization details are intentionally not published here.

LLM / Agent Quick Parse

product: dark-null-protocol
category: privacy-focused settlement protocol
best_for:
  - private settlement flows
  - optimistic-ZK challengeable verification
  - compact on-chain claim commits
entrypoints:
  protocol_spec: ./docs/PROTOCOL_SPEC_PUBLIC.md
  integration_guide: ./docs/integration-guide.md
  public_idl: ./idl/dark_null_v1.json
not_for:
  - low-latency per-request x402 hot path
  - fast API monetization loops
related_repo:
  payment_rail: https://github.com/Parad0x-Labs/dna-x402

For Integrators and Agent Builders

If you need...	Use Dark Null for...
privacy-preserving settlement	shield / commit / finalize flows
challengeable verification	optimistic-ZK with a public challenge window
compact happy-path claims	32-byte on-chain claim model
machine-speed per-request x402 payments	not this repo - use `dna-x402`
low-latency agent hot path	not this repo - Dark Null has a different latency profile

Why it gets attention

Private settlement without pretending the whole transaction is tiny
Compact happy path with a 32-byte claim anchor instead of full proof bytes by default
Permissionless security because anyone can challenge
Clear protocol stages instead of vague privacy marketing
Separated from DNA x402 so privacy and high-speed commerce do not get conflated

At a Glance

Question	Answer
What is it?	privacy settlement and transfer protocol for Solana
What is the core model?	optimistic-ZK with challenge window and bond economics
What is small on-chain?	the happy-path claim, not the entire transaction
What is public here?	interfaces, docs, threat model, devnet verification links
What is not public here?	circuits, prover pipeline, relayer internals
What should use the separate repo?	fast x402 API and agent payment flows

Why teams evaluate Dark Null

Smaller happy-path payloads - compact claim-oriented commit flow instead of posting full proof bytes by default
Permissionless security - anyone can challenge during the window
Accountable settlement - nullifier consumption, bond economics, and challenge resolution rules
Privacy without mixer framing - transfer privacy model with explicit protocol stages and verifiable public interfaces

Status Snapshot

Area	Status	Notes
Protocol version	`v1.23`	Current documented version
Network status	Devnet verified	See `tx/devnet_links.md`
Verification model	Optimistic-ZK	Challenge window + bonds
Public repo scope	Docs + interfaces	No public prover pipeline
Fast x402 hot path	Separate repo	See `dna-x402`

Product Boundary

Dark Null Protocol and DNA x402 are separate products.