Deep Dive
1. Purpose & Value Proposition
Boundless addresses blockchain scalability by decoupling computation from consensus. Developers submit proof requests for tasks like cross-chain state verification or complex DeFi logic, while provers (nodes) generate ZK proofs competitively. This model reduces on-chain costs by up to 99.9% (Boundless Docs), enabling internet-scale applications without requiring chain upgrades.
2. Technology & Architecture
The protocol uses a zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) to process computations off-chain. Proofs are aggregated and verified on-chain via a lightweight client, ensuring security across ecosystems. Key innovations include:
- Steel: A ZK coprocessor for EVM chains, enabling multi-block state queries.
- OP Kailua: Converts optimistic rollups to hybrid ZK systems, slashing finality from days to hours.
Provers stake ZKC as collateral, aligning incentives via slashing risks for faulty work.
3. Tokenomics & Governance
ZKC serves as:
- Collateral: Provers lock ZKC to participate in proof generation.
- Rewards: Fees and inflation-based emissions (7% initial, tapering to 3%) reward provers and stakers.
- Governance: Token holders vote on protocol upgrades, fee structures, and resource allocation.
Conclusion
Boundless positions ZK proofs as a public good, creating a decentralized marketplace where computation scales with demand. By incentivizing a global prover network, it aims to make blockchains as efficient as traditional cloud systems. How might Boundless’s architecture evolve as ZK adoption intersects with AI and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN)?