International Association for Cryptologic Research

International Association
for Cryptologic Research

CryptoDB

Relativized Succinct Arguments in the ROM Do Not Exist

Authors:
Annalisa Barbara , Bocconi University
Alessandro Chiesa , EPFL
Ziyi Guan , EPFL
Download:
Search ePrint
Search Google
Conference: TCC 2025
Abstract: A relativized succinct argument in the random oracle model (ROM) is a succinct argument in the ROM that can prove/verify the correctness of computations that involve queries to the random oracle. We prove that relativized succinct arguments in the ROM do not exist. The impossibility holds even if the succinct argument is interactive, and even if soundness is computational (rather than statistical). This impossibility puts on a formal footing the commonly-held belief that succinct arguments in the ROM require non-relativizing techniques. Moreover, our results stand in sharp contrast with other oracle models, for which a recent line of work has constructed relativized succinct non-interactive arguments (SNARGs). Indeed, relativized SNARGs are a powerful primitive that, e.g., can be used to obtain constructions of IVC (incrementally-verifiable computation) and PCD (proof-carrying data) based on falsifiable cryptographic assumptions. Our results rule out this approach for IVC and PCD in the ROM.
BibTeX
@inproceedings{tcc-2025-36209,
  title={Relativized Succinct Arguments in the ROM Do Not Exist},
  publisher={Springer-Verlag},
  author={Annalisa Barbara and Alessandro Chiesa and Ziyi Guan},
  year=2025
}