Boundless Network Launches Mainnet Beta on Coinbase’s Base Blockchain

Boundless Network has launched its Mainnet Beta on Coinbase’s Base blockchain, introducing what it calls the first “universal” zero-knowledge protocol. This launch marks a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency world, as it is the first real stress test for production-ready zero-knowledge infrastructure. The incentivized testnet has already attracted major players including the Ethereum Foundation, Wormhole, and EigenLayer, demonstrating an unusual level of early confidence for a project still in its beta phase.

The rollout of the Mainnet Beta also introduces Proof of Verifiable Work, a novel mechanism that rewards participants for generating and validating zero-knowledge proofs. This mechanism effectively creates a decentralized marketplace for computational integrity, where high-performance GPU owners can earn fees by validating computational integrity rather than through traditional mining methods.

Boundless positions itself as a decentralized marketplace where blockchains, developers, and miners converge to trade verifiable computation. Powered by RISC Zero’s zkVM, the protocol acts as a universal proof layer, allowing any chain to offload complex computations while maintaining cryptographic certainty. This approach enables blockchains to share proofs across networks, reducing costs and latency by avoiding redundant verification of the same data.

The Boundless beta launch is significant because it is the first time a zero-knowledge system is being tested under real economic conditions. Previous implementations, such as zkEVMs, co-processors, or privacy chains, have operated in isolation. Boundless flips the script by incentivizing a decentralized network of proof generators and validators, creating a live marketplace for zero-knowledge computation.

“Mainnet Beta enables any protocol, on any blockchain, to gain access to best-in-class decentralized ZK infrastructure for proof generation, aggregation, data availability, and settlement, powered by Boundless,” stated Shiv Shankar, CEO of Boundless Network. This statement underscores the potential of Boundless to revolutionize the way zero-knowledge proofs are utilized across different blockchains.

At the heart of Boundless’ beta is Proof of Verifiable Work, a radical departure from traditional mining. PoVW rewards participants for verifying zero-knowledge proofs within a zkVM. This mechanism could reshape the labor economy in the cryptocurrency world by aligning incentives and creating a meritocratic system where the most efficient miners earn the most. Early participants will also receive allocations of $ZKC, Boundless’ native token, ahead of its official launch later this year. The exact distribution will depend on the complexity, volume, and speed of completed proofs. The token generation event for $ZKC is scheduled for later in 2025.