> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vayyl.gitbook.io/vayyl-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vayyl.gitbook.io/vayyl-docs/trust/research.md). # Research Foundations Vayyl builds on established shielded-pool ideas and Stellar's emerging native privacy stack. ## Stellar * [Privacy on Stellar](https://developers.stellar.org/docs/build/apps/privacy) documents privacy pools, confidential tokens, Groth16/UltraHonk verifiers, BN254, and Poseidon/Poseidon2 host functions. * [Stellar Private Payments](https://github.com/NethermindEth/stellar-private-payments) is Nethermind's research prototype for Circom/Groth16 privacy pools on Soroban. Stellar explicitly labels it unaudited. * [ZK proofs on Stellar](https://developers.stellar.org/docs/build/apps/zk) explains that native primitives are building blocks, not an end-to-end private-payment system. ## Shielded protocols * The [Privacy Pools paper](https://privacypools.com/whitepaper.pdf) describes association sets that let users prove policy membership without revealing the selected deposit. * The [Zcash protocol specification](https://zips.z.cash/protocol/protocol.pdf) is a primary reference for note commitments, nullifiers, commitment trees, diversified addresses, and viewing keys. * [Penumbra's shielded pool](https://protocol.penumbra.zone/main/shielded_pool.html) demonstrates how multiple assets and application activity can share shielded state. * [RAILGUN's privacy system](https://docs.railgun.org/wiki/learn/privacy-system) demonstrates private balances, encrypted UTXO discovery, broadcasters, and application integrations on public smart-contract networks. ## Stellar provider models [Moonlight](https://moonlight-10.gitbook.io/moonlight-docs/readme/whitepaper) proposes derived UTXO addresses and provider-managed channels that bundle user-signed activity. Its documentation labels the design a work in progress. Vayyl treats it as valuable design research, particularly for provider accountability and submission separation, not as proof that Stellar privacy is solved. ## What Vayyl contributes Vayyl's product thesis is to combine a Soroban-native shielded balance with proof-bound financial applications. The differentiating goal is not another isolated deposit/withdrawal pool; it is a reusable private state that payments, positions, orders, and programmable settlement can share. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://vayyl.gitbook.io/vayyl-docs/trust/research.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.