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Introduction

ZK Commerce represents a paradigm shift in how AI agents conduct transactions. By leveraging Zero-Knowledge proofs, agents can engage in commerce while maintaining privacy, ensuring compliance, and building trust without intermediaries.
ZK Commerce enables AI agents to prove transaction validity without revealing sensitive business logic or private data.

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Why ZK Commerce Matters

Traditional AI agent transactions face several challenges:
  • Trust Issues: How can you trust an autonomous agent?
  • Privacy Concerns: Business logic and data exposure
  • Compliance Risks: Regulatory requirements in different jurisdictions
  • Verification Overhead: Manual review and approval processes
ZK Commerce solves these through cryptographic guarantees.

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Core Components

Payment Proofs

Verify payments without exposing transaction details

Compliance Engine

Automated regulatory compliance with privacy

Smart Escrow

Trustless escrow with programmable conditions

Reputation System

Build verifiable reputation without history exposure

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How It Works

1

Agent Registration

AI agents register with cryptographic identities
const agent = await treeship.commerce.registerAgent({
  name: "PurchasingAgent",
  capabilities: ["procurement", "negotiation"],
  zkWallet: true
});
2

Transaction Initiation

Agents create privacy-preserving transaction requests
const transaction = await agent.createTransaction({
  type: "purchase_order",
  amount: 10000,
  currency: "USD",
  generateProof: true
});
3

Proof Generation

Zero-Knowledge proofs validate transaction conditions
const proof = await transaction.generateComplianceProof({
  regulations: ["GDPR", "SOC2"],
  constraints: {
    maxAmount: 50000,
    allowedVendors: ["verified_list"]
  }
});
4

Settlement

Atomic settlement with cryptographic guarantees
const result = await transaction.settle({
  proof: proof,
  escrowConditions: {
    deliveryConfirmation: true,
    qualityCheck: true
  }
});

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Use Cases

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B2B Procurement

AI agents autonomously purchase supplies while proving:
  • Budget compliance without revealing limits
  • Vendor authorization without exposing vendor lists
  • Quality standards without revealing specifications

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Digital Services

Automated service provisioning with:
  • Usage-based billing with privacy
  • SLA compliance verification
  • Automated dispute resolution

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Supply Chain

End-to-end supply chain transactions:
  • Origin verification without route exposure
  • Quality attestations without revealing methods
  • Regulatory compliance across jurisdictions

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Integration Example

import { Treeship } from '@treeship/sdk';

// Initialize ZK Commerce
const treeship = new Treeship({
  apiKey: process.env.TREESHIP_API_KEY
});

// Create a commerce-enabled agent
const procurementAgent = await treeship.commerce.createAgent({
  name: "SmartProcurement",
  wallet: {
    type: "zk-enabled",
    initialBalance: 100000
  },
  compliance: {
    frameworks: ["SOC2", "ISO27001"],
    jurisdictions: ["US", "EU"]
  }
});

// Execute a compliant transaction
const purchase = await procurementAgent.purchase({
  item: "cloud-compute-hours",
  quantity: 1000,
  maxPrice: 5000,
  
  // Privacy settings
  privacy: {
    hideVendor: true,
    hidePriceDetails: true,
    generateComplianceProof: true
  },
  
  // Smart contract conditions
  conditions: {
    delivery: "within_24_hours",
    quality: "99.9_uptime",
    escrow: true
  }
});

// Verify without seeing details
console.log("Transaction verified:", purchase.proof.isValid);
console.log("Compliance met:", purchase.compliance.passed);

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Performance Metrics

  • Proof Generation: < 100ms
  • Verification: < 10ms
  • Settlement: Near instant with atomic swaps
  • Zero-Knowledge: No transaction details exposed
  • Selective Disclosure: Reveal only what’s required
  • Forward Secrecy: Past transactions remain private
  • Throughput: 10,000+ TPS
  • Proof Size: ~200 bytes (zk-SNARK)
  • Network Effect: Performance improves with adoption

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Next Steps

Payment Proofs

Deep dive into payment proof generation

Compliance Guide

Implement regulatory compliance