RISC Zero Launches Boundless Network Beta on Base

RISC Zero has launched the incentivized testnet, also known as the mainnet beta, of its Boundless network on Base. This development marks a significant step in the evolution of zero-knowledge virtual-machine (zkVM) technology, as Boundless is not a new blockchain but a marketplace for zkVM proofs that can be deployed on any network and settle proofs anywhere.

Boundless is designed to cater to any chain or application that requires heavy computation on-chain but whose existing virtual environment is not well-suited to leverage zk technology. The network allows teams to perform complex computations off-chain without making radical changes to their architecture, similar to how Chainlink brought price feeds to various chains. Boundless brings verifiable compute to these chains, enabling them to handle intensive computations efficiently.

The Boundless network operates through a series of steps. Chains or applications request and submit computation tasks to the Boundless network, which then runs auctions on its contracts. Provers, or miners, on the Boundless network claim these jobs to perform the expensive computation off-chain using CPUs or GPUs. To accept tasks, provers stake ZKC tokens, which are slashable, ensuring an economic mechanism to keep work honest. Once the provers finish the job, a tiny, mathematically-verifiable zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) receipt is settled on the host chain. This process ensures that the base chain does not feel the computational load, even if the underlying computation is extensive.

Shiv Shankar, CEO of RISC Zero, highlighted the prohibitive costs of running zk computation on-chain, which can reach thousands of dollars. With Boundless, anyone can perform massive computations with a zkVM for less than $30, making elastic, unlimited computation available at any point in time. The Boundless explorer currently shows 363 active provers processing jobs, with the team anticipating at least a thousand GPUs proving soon.

One of the unique features of the Boundless network is its self-developed cryptographic primitive called "proof of verifiable work" (PoVW). Unlike traditional proof-of-work, which pays miners for hashes, PoVW pays for useful zkVM cycles. PoVW tags pieces of verifiable metadata, or "work receipts," to each proof, recording the amount of computation that went into it. This allows Boundless to pay provers proportionally to the actual compute delivered and detect fraudulent proofs. This approach contrasts with the off-chain auction bidding used by Succinct or the time-based quotes used by Kalypso.

Early adopters of Boundless include teams like EigenLayer, Celestia, Taiko, and Lido, among others. These teams are utilizing Boundless for various purposes, such as powering AVS slashing logic, proving data availability, and leveraging zk-based staking oracles. Although Boundless ships with its own RISC Zero zkVM, the network is proof system agnostic, with support for competing zkVMs like Succinct’s SP1, ZKsync’s Boojum, or Jolt on the roadmap. This allows developers to switch tooling without leaving the marketplace.

The full mainnet launch and Token Generation Event for Boundless are scheduled for late 2025. This development is expected to further enhance the capabilities of zkVM technology, making it more accessible and efficient for a wide range of applications and chains.