Boundless is a universal protocol that brings zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to every blockchain. It provides verifiable compute infrastructure that allows developers to bypass traditional gas and block size limits while ensuring trust through proofs.

The protocol introduces Proof of Verifiable Work (PoVW), where provers compete to generate ZK proofs for submitted computation requests. This model decouples execution from consensus, enabling scalable compute across multiple chains without requiring global re-execution.

$ZKC is the native token of the Boundless protocol. It secures the proof marketplace by serving as collateral for provers, aligning incentives for reliable and timely proof generation. Each proof job requires provers to lock ZKC as collateral, while requestors pay for proofs in the native token of the chain where the computation originates (for example, ETH on Ethereum or SOL on Solana). As adoption grows, more ZKC is locked, reducing circulating supply and strengthening economic guarantees across the network.

$ZKC Roles in the Protocol

• Collateral for Provers: Provers must lock ZKC, typically 10x the maximum fee of a proof request, before accepting jobs. If a prover fails to deliver, 50% of the collateral is burned permanently and the other 50% is reassigned as a bounty to another prover. This ensures proof delivery and creates strong security guarantees.

• Staking: Token holders stake ZKC to participate in securing the protocol, receive a baseline 25% of epoch rewards, and take part in governance.

• Proof of Verifiable Work Rewards: Prover nodes, the backbone of the network, earn up to 75% of emissions each epoch for completing proofs, tying token issuance directly to useful computation.

• Governance: ZKC holders can influence protocol parameters, marketplace design, zkVM additions, grants, and tokenomics adjustments. Governance is expanding toward allowing both veto and proposal rights for stakeholders.

  By combining collateral requirements, staking rewards, and governance rights, ZKC incentivizes a decentralized and efficient prover market while ensuring the protocol scales securely with demand.

ZK Coin is built by the Boundless team, with backing from major Web3 founders, researchers, and investors.

Advisors and backers include:

• Mert (Helius), Patrick O’Grady (Commonware), Nick White (Celestia), Dan Boneh (Stanford)

• Investors such as Bain Capital Crypto, Blockchain Capital, Galaxy, Delphi Ventures, Fenbushi Capital, Figment Capital, Maven11, IOSG Ventures, Geometry Venture Development, and zkv