In the realm of IoT and blockchain, security and privacy are paramount. This paper explores the fusion of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (zk-SNARKs) and Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) to bolster the security of blockchain-enabled IoT networks. By harnessing zk-SNARKs’ ability to prove knowledge without revealing sensitive information and PUFs’ unique device-based identity verification, we establish a robust framework for data protection and device authentication. We investigate the practical integration of these technologies into IoT ecosystems, addressing challenges and assessing their impact on scalability, efficiency, and security. The research showcases a novel solution for enhancing data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity within IoT networks while empowering devices to prove their identity without disclosing sensitive data. The proposed novel method has a behemoth advantage over conventional data breaches as PUF values are not in transit. It could also help in reducing memory usage and easy scalability. However, it may introduce risks like integration complexity and therefore it is expected to stay updated with evolving cryptographic standards. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2024.