Boundless functions as a universal protocol intended to supply ZK capabilities to all blockchains. It allows independent prover nodes to create ZK proofs for layer 1s, applications, rollups, and infrastructure on every chain. By moving computation to the Boundless network and checking proofs onchain, it offers a uniform layer for scalability and interoperability without needing modifications to current networks.

RISC Zero, the group responsible for the first RISC-V general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM), established Boundless in 2022. The project aims to solve a primary constraint of existing blockchains: the requirement for every node to re-run every transaction, which caps throughput at the speed of the slowest node. By validating proofs rather than re-executing transactions, Boundless transitions blockchains from repeated execution to proof-based verification, significantly boosting capacity.

Through the separation of execution from consensus, Boundless adds a new architectural tier to the blockchain space that expands capacity, enhances interoperability, and serves as the foundational ZK proving infrastructure for every chain.

Boundless distinguishes itself by functioning as a shared proving layer that integrates directly with current blockchain infrastructure, rather than operating as an independent blockchain. By deploying smart contracts on major networks, it sidesteps the security compromises and fragmentation issues associated with launching new chains, instead inheriting the liveness and security assurances of the networks it supports.

This architecture enables any chain to delegate intensive computational tasks to the Boundless network. Offchain prover nodes handle these workloads, produce verifiable proofs, and submit them for onchain verification at a low gas cost.

Potential use cases include:

• Rollups transitioning from optimistic fraud proofs to ZK validity proofs to achieve quicker finality.
• DeFi protocols performing intricate risk assessments or crosschain balance validations offchain while maintaining trustless settlement.
• Crosschain messaging platforms verifying state updates without relying on trusted relayers.

By providing universal proving infrastructure across all chains, Boundless aims to enhance both the interoperability and scalability of every ecosystem.

Boundless derives its security and liveness from the blockchains that verify its proofs. Additionally, prover nodes stake ZKC as collateral to back these proofs, establishing an economic assurance that they will be delivered.

At Genesis, the Boundless protocol began with a supply of 1B tokens. The inflation rate begins at 7% during Year 1 and drops until it reaches a steady 3% by Year 8. Of these emissions, 75% are allocated to provers while 25% go to stakers.