License & Legal
License
SnarkSide is released under a modified MIT License that includes a zero-knowledge (ZK) commercial clause.
This structure balances open access to cryptographic research and reference code, while preserving commercial integrity and preventing unauthorized monetization of core infrastructure. The primary implementation—including circuits, relayer logic, and interface libraries—is free to use, audit, and adapt for educational or non-commercial purposes.
License Summary
Base License: MIT Additional Clause: Commercial use of zero-knowledge circuits, relayer code, or compiled proving/verification artifacts requires express permission or license purchase from the SnarkSide foundation.
ZK Commercial Clause (Summary)
Any deployment of SnarkSide-derived codebases in a public-facing, revenue-generating, or token-incentivized environment—including but not limited to:
On-chain intent matching
Encrypted margin vaults
ZK-perp trading with SNARK-verifiable flows
Proof-generation-as-a-service
Commercial relayer networks or ZK rollup integrations
...requires:
Written attribution of the original SnarkSide repo or GitBook
Disclosure of derivative modifications
Explicit licensing from the protocol maintainers (unless granted under an open commercial whitelist)
Rationale
SnarkSide’s proving systems and encrypted trading logic took over two years of dedicated cryptographic engineering. While we support decentralization and verifiability, commercial use of this system in its current form—including clones or wrapper protocols—must align with sustainability and downstream contributor funding.
This clause protects:
Security assumptions of verified releases
Ongoing circuit maintenance + testnet audits
Developer bounty pools and upstream ZK research contributors
Attribution Requirements
If using SnarkSide logic in research, personal forks, or testing:
Include a link to https://snarkside.app and the GitHub org.
Clearly state: “This work is based on SnarkSide, an encrypted perpetual futures protocol using zero-knowledge proofs.”
Do not remove or obscure Poseidon parameter references, nullifier systems, or intent schemas without notation.
Example Acceptable Uses Without License
University research on MPC-based intent routing
Integration testing of Circom circuits in sandbox networks
UI experiments that call public relayers without custom proving
Wallet SDK extensions using public stealth address formats
Example Uses Requiring License
Launch of a forked ZK-perp protocol using SnarkSide circuits
Operating a relayer that matches real encrypted intents
Issuing a token (or governance DAO) based on SnarkSide architecture
Creating a commercial product that charges users to submit ZK-proofs or trades
Legal Reference
Full legal text is available in LICENSE-ZK.md within the root of the GitHub repository.
The license is enforced via contributor signatures on circuit updates, audit hashes, and core proving logic. SNARK constraints may include embedded hashes of versioned license data.
For inquiries, licensing, or academic exemptions, contact: [email protected]
SnarkSide is not just a protocol — it is a research surface, a ZK proving backbone, and a new cryptographic public good. Respect the work. Extend it meaningfully. Or reach out.
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