diff --git a/groth16/bn128/curves.nim b/groth16/bn128/curves.nim
index f162875..aeafe60 100644
--- a/groth16/bn128/curves.nim
+++ b/groth16/bn128/curves.nim
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 # equation: y^2 = x^3 + 3
 #
 
+import std/bitops
+import std/options
 
 #import constantine/platforms/abstractions
 #import constantine/math/isogenies/frobenius
@@ -25,6 +27,9 @@ import constantine/math/elliptic/ec_shortweierstrass_projective as prj
 import constantine/math/pairings/pairings_bn                    as ate 
 import constantine/math/elliptic/ec_scalar_mul_vartime          as scl 
 
+import constantine/math/arithmetic/finite_fields_square_root    as sqrt
+import constantine/math/extension_fields/square_root_fp2        as sqrt2
+
 import groth16/bn128/fields
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -35,6 +40,15 @@ type G2*   = aff.EC_ShortW_Aff[Fp2[BN254_Snarks], aff.G2]
 type ProjG1*  = prj.EC_ShortW_Prj[Fp[BN254_Snarks] , prj.G1]
 type ProjG2*  = prj.EC_ShortW_Prj[Fp2[BN254_Snarks], prj.G2]
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# compressed points (supposedly compatible with arkworks-0.5)
+
+type ComprG1* = distinct array[32, byte];
+type ComprG2* = distinct array[64, byte];
+
+proc `==` *(a, b: ComprG1): bool {.borrow.}
+proc `==` *(a, b: ComprG2): bool {.borrow.}
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 func isEqualG1* (x, y: G1 ): bool = bool(x == y)
@@ -64,6 +78,9 @@ func isInfProjG2*(pt : ProjG2): bool = bool(isNeutral(pt))
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+# y^2 = x^3 + B where B = 3
+const theCoeffB = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003")
+
 func checkCurveEqG1*( x, y: Fp[BN254_Snarks] ) : bool =
   if bool(isZero(x)) and bool(isZero(y)):
     # the point at infinity is on the curve by definition
@@ -74,7 +91,7 @@ func checkCurveEqG1*( x, y: Fp[BN254_Snarks] ) : bool =
     var x3 = x2 * x
     var eq : Fp[BN254_Snarks]
     eq =  x3
-    eq += intToFp(3)
+    eq += theCoeffB
     eq -= y2
     # echo("eq = ",toDecimalFp(eq))
     return (bool(isZero(eq)))
@@ -182,6 +199,113 @@ func isInSubgroupG1* ( p: G1 ) : bool =
 func isInSubgroupG2* ( p: G2 ) : bool =
   return checkSubgroupG2( p.x, p.y )
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+func unwrapComprG1*( c1: ComprG1 ): array[32,byte] = 
+  return array[32,byte](c1) 
+
+func unwrapComprG2*( c2: ComprG2 ): array[64,byte] = 
+  return array[64,byte](c2)
+
+func bigInt256_to_254(inp: BigInt[256]): BigInt[254] =
+  var res: BigInt[254]
+  res.copyTruncatedFrom(inp)
+  return res
+
+const halfPrime256 : BigInt[256] = fromHex( B, "0x183227397098d014dc2822db40c0ac2ecbc0b548b438e5469e10460b6c3e7ea3", bigEndian )
+const halfPrime254 : BigInt[254] = bigInt256_to_254( halfPrime256 )
+const thePrime254  : BigInt[254] = bigInt256_to_254( primeP       )
+
+# little-endian encoding of the X coord, with bit 255 set if `Y > P/2`
+func compressG1*( pt : G1 ) : ComprG1 = 
+  var xbig : BigInt[254] 
+  var ybig : BigInt[254]
+  xbig.fromField( pt.x )
+  ybig.fromField( pt.y )
+  let flag : bool = bool(ybig > halfPrime254)
+  var buf  : array[32,byte]
+  buf.marshal(xbig, littleEndian)
+  if (flag):
+    buf[31] = bitor( buf[31] , 0x80 );
+  return ComprG1(buf)
+
+func uncompressG1*( compr1 : ComprG1 ) : Option[G1] = 
+  var buf  : array[32,byte] = unwrapComprG1(compr1)
+  let flag : bool = (buf[31] >= 0x80)
+  buf[31] = bitand( buf[31] , 0x7f )
+  var xbig : BigInt[254]
+  xbig.unmarshal(buf, littleEndian)
+  if bool(xbig >= thePrime254):
+    return none(G1)
+  else:
+    var x : Fp[BN254_Snarks]
+    var y : Fp[BN254_Snarks]
+    x.fromBig(xbig)
+    y = x*x*x + theCoeffB
+    let ok = bool( sqrt.sqrt_if_square_vartime(y) )
+    if ok:
+      var ybig : BigInt[254]
+      ybig.fromField( y )
+      let switch = bool(ybig > halfPrime254) xor flag
+      if switch:
+        y.neg()
+      let g1 = unsafeMkG1(x,y)
+      return some(g1)
+    else:
+      return none(G1)
+
+#---------------------------------------
+
+# little-endian encoding of the X coord, with bit 255 set if `Y_imag > P/2`
+func compressG2*( pt : G2 ) : ComprG2 = 
+  var x_real_big : BigInt[254] 
+  var x_imag_big : BigInt[254] 
+  var y_imag_big : BigInt[254]
+  x_real_big.fromField( pt.x.coords[0] )
+  x_imag_big.fromField( pt.x.coords[1] )
+  y_imag_big.fromField( pt.y.coords[1] )
+  let flag : bool = bool(y_imag_big > halfPrime254)
+  var buf_real : array[32,byte]
+  var buf_imag : array[32,byte]
+  marshal(buf_real , x_real_big , littleEndian)
+  marshal(buf_imag , x_imag_big , littleEndian)
+  var buf: array[64,byte]
+  buf[ 0..31] = buf_real
+  buf[32..63] = buf_imag
+  if (flag):
+    buf[63] = bitor( buf[63] , 0x80 );
+  return ComprG2(buf)
+
+func uncompressG2*( compr2 : ComprG2 ) : Option[G2] = 
+  var buf  : array[64,byte] = unwrapComprG2(compr2)
+  let flag : bool = (buf[63] >= 0x80)
+  buf[63] = bitand( buf[63] , 0x7f )
+  var x_big_real : BigInt[254]
+  var x_big_imag : BigInt[254]
+  unmarshal(x_big_real , buf         , littleEndian)
+  unmarshal(x_big_imag , buf[32..63] , littleEndian)
+  if bool(x_big_real >= thePrime254) or bool(x_big_imag >= thePrime254):
+    return none(G2)
+  else:
+    var x_real : Fp[BN254_Snarks]
+    var x_imag : Fp[BN254_Snarks]
+    var y      : Fp2[BN254_Snarks]
+    x_real.fromBig(x_big_real)
+    x_imag.fromBig(x_big_imag)
+    let x: Fp2[BN254_Snarks] = mkFp2( x_real, x_imag )
+    y = x*x*x + twistCoeffB
+    let ok = bool( sqrt2.sqrt_if_square(y) )
+    if ok:
+      var y_big_imag : BigInt[254]
+      y_big_imag.fromField( y.coords[1] )
+      let switch = bool(y_big_imag > halfPrime254) xor flag
+      if switch:
+        y.neg()
+      let g2 = unsafeMkG2(x,y)
+      return some(g2)
+    else:
+      return none(G2)
+
 #===============================================================================
 
 func addG1*(p,q: G1): G1 =
diff --git a/groth16/bn128/fields.nim b/groth16/bn128/fields.nim
index 97f1c50..abd52be 100644
--- a/groth16/bn128/fields.nim
+++ b/groth16/bn128/fields.nim
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ func mkFp2* (i: Fp[BN254_Snarks], u: Fp[BN254_Snarks]) : Fp2[BN254_Snarks] =
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-const primeP* : B = fromHex( B, "0x30644e72e131a029b85045b68181585d97816a916871ca8d3c208c16d87cfd47", bigEndian )
-const primeR* : B = fromHex( B, "0x30644e72e131a029b85045b68181585d2833e84879b9709143e1f593f0000001", bigEndian )
+const primeR*     : B = fromHex( B, "0x30644e72e131a029b85045b68181585d2833e84879b9709143e1f593f0000001", bigEndian )
+const primeP*     : B = fromHex( B, "0x30644e72e131a029b85045b68181585d97816a916871ca8d3c208c16d87cfd47", bigEndian )
+const halfPrimeP* : B = fromHex( B, "0x183227397098d014dc2822db40c0ac2ecbc0b548b438e5469e10460b6c3e7ea3", bigEndian )
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/groth16/bn128/rnd.nim b/groth16/bn128/rnd.nim
index f2f3607..fec88c4 100644
--- a/groth16/bn128/rnd.nim
+++ b/groth16/bn128/rnd.nim
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import constantine/math/io/io_bigints
 import constantine/named/properties_fields
 
 import groth16/bn128/fields
+import groth16/bn128/curves
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # random values
@@ -66,6 +67,18 @@ proc randFr*(): Fr[BN254_Snarks] =
   y.fromBig( b )
   return y
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc randG1*(): G1 = 
+  let expo : BigInt[254] = randBig[254]()
+  return (expo ** gen1)
+
+proc randG2*(): G2 = 
+  let expo : BigInt[254] = randBig[254]()
+  return (expo ** gen2)
+
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 proc testRandom*() =
   for i in 1..20:
     let x = randFr()
diff --git a/tests/.gitignore b/tests/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30d74d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+test
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/groth16/testCurve.nim b/tests/groth16/testCurve.nim
index 9b2f489..9c1667d 100644
--- a/tests/groth16/testCurve.nim
+++ b/tests/groth16/testCurve.nim
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ const pt2_yu  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x04f21f9d99cc25f694cf22ff70dc0ac4692
 const pt2_x   = mkFp2( pt2_x1, pt2_xu )
 const pt2_y   = mkFp2( pt2_y1, pt2_yu )
 
-suite "curves":
+suite "curve and subgroup checks":
 
   test "gen1 is on the curve":
     check checkCurveEqG1(gen1.x,gen1.y) 
diff --git a/tests/groth16/testPtCompression.nim b/tests/groth16/testPtCompression.nim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fad92f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/groth16/testPtCompression.nim
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+
+{.used.} 
+
+import std/unittest
+import std/options
+import std/strutils
+
+import constantine/math/io/io_fields
+import constantine/named/properties_fields 
+
+import groth16/bn128/fields
+import groth16/bn128/curves
+import groth16/bn128/rnd
+
+import groth16/bn128/debug
+
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# compression test cases generated by arkworks
+
+# last bit is NOT SET
+const testA_compressed = "fbc1b30a5acf74d512a3db0ab849bf095c106e5f52cf289c05b58dbb949b2824a156d453ec510b7faad49260faa23781e0962dbb5bbd419753896d42672da717"
+const testA_g2_x_real  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x24289b94bb8db5059c28cf525f6e105c09bf49b80adba312d574cf5a0ab3c1fb")
+const testA_g2_x_imag  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x17a72d67426d89539741bd5bbb2d96e08137a2fa6092d4aa7f0b51ec53d456a1")
+const testA_g2_y_real  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x1c596fe08af669b99b08a7198a94b8abc59e711a5ba88f84b3670aa3da0775f1")
+const testA_g2_y_imag  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x1166e754640ae7db87c1ad56886af9270bed8afd813922628fdd700e36048f09")
+
+# last bit is SET
+const testB_compressed = "979a0fece9f1d92ac5889660f19370145ede8269fbd483714ec0517f76f3c51ced51ff0e98cfb98d94dbade55df493cd57f6af07c60b5e58ce8de13ceac68b9d"
+const testB_g2_x_real  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x1cc5f3767f51c04e7183d4fb6982de5e147093f1609688c52ad9f1e9ec0f9a97")
+const testB_g2_x_imag  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x1d8bc6ea3ce18dce585e0bc607aff657cd93f45de5addb948db9cf980eff51ed")
+const testB_g2_y_real  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x0d034c3de83b9cb8fb066a360afe5391c7e170efc6ebe6d4b93f252126ac204d")
+const testB_g2_y_imag  = fromHex(Fp[BN254_Snarks], "0x2a7090cf51be2141e049d0176e744fa0420099090b636984bfaa1142456f4b3a")
+
+func hexStringToByteSeq(hex: string): seq[byte] =
+  let s = parseHexStr(hex)
+  result = newSeq[byte](s.len)
+  for i, ch in s:
+    result[i] = byte(ch) 
+
+func hexStringToComprG2(hex: string): ComprG2 =
+  let bseq = hexStringToByteSeq(hex)
+  var arr: array[64,byte]
+  for i, b in bseq:
+    arr[i] = b
+  return ComprG2(arr)
+
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+func mbEqualsG1(mb: Option[G1] , refVal: G1): bool = 
+  var ok: bool = false
+  if isSome(mb): 
+    let re : G1 = mb.unsafeGet()
+    ok = (refVal === re)
+  return ok
+
+func mbEqualsG2(mb: Option[G2] , refVal: G2): bool = 
+  var ok: bool = false
+  if isSome(mb): 
+    let re : G2 = mb.unsafeGet()
+    ok = (refVal === re)
+  return ok
+
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+suite "point compression":
+
+  test "unit test for G2 point compression, test case `A` (flag is not set)":
+
+    let x  = mkFp2( testA_g2_x_real , testA_g2_x_imag )
+    let y  = mkFp2( testA_g2_y_real , testA_g2_y_imag )
+    let pt = mkG2( x , y )
+    let c  = hexStringToComprG2(testA_compressed)
+
+    let ok1 = (compressG2(pt) == c)
+    let ok2 = mbEqualsG2( uncompressG2(c) , pt )
+
+    check (ok1 and ok2)
+
+  #---------------------------
+
+  test "unit test for G2 point compression, test case `B` (flag is set)":
+
+    let x  = mkFp2( testB_g2_x_real , testB_g2_x_imag )
+    let y  = mkFp2( testB_g2_y_real , testB_g2_y_imag )
+    let pt = mkG2( x , y )
+    let c  = hexStringToComprG2(testB_compressed)
+
+    let ok1 = (compressG2(pt) == c)
+    let ok2 = mbEqualsG2( uncompressG2(c) , pt )
+
+    check (ok1 and ok2)
+
+  #---------------------------
+
+  test "test G1 point compression and decompression for 500 random points":
+
+    let N   = 500
+    var ok  = true
+    var cnt = 0
+
+    for i in 1..N:
+      let pt : G1         = randG1()
+      let c  : ComprG1    = compressG1(pt)
+      let mb : Option[G1] = uncompressG1(c)
+
+      var this_ok = mbEqualsG1(mb, pt)
+
+      ok = ok and this_ok
+      if this_ok:
+        cnt += 1
+
+    echo "out of " & $N & " random tests, " & $cnt & " passed"
+    check ok
+
+  #---------------------------
+
+  test "test G2 point compression and decompression for 500 random points":
+
+    let N   = 500
+    var ok  = true
+    var cnt = 0
+
+    for i in 1..N:
+      let pt : G2         = randG2()
+      let c  : ComprG2    = compressG2(pt)
+      let mb : Option[G2] = uncompressG2(c)
+
+      var this_ok = mbEqualsG2(mb, pt)
+
+      ok = ok and this_ok
+      if this_ok:
+        cnt += 1
+
+    echo "out of " & $N & " random tests, " & $cnt & " passed"
+    check ok
+
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tests/test.nim b/tests/test.nim
index a4e5e02..36aea78 100644
--- a/tests/test.nim
+++ b/tests/test.nim
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 
+import ./groth16/testPtCompression
 import ./groth16/testCurve
 import ./groth16/testProver