What is Boundless (ZKC)

I. Project Introduction

1. What Is Boundless?

As a verifiable computing layer launched by RISC Zero, Boundless aims to provide decentralized computation infrastructure for Web3 scenarios by generating and verifying computational proofs on demand. Its core components include:

Boundless Protocol: A decentralized marketplace for computation proofs, a cross-chain verification mechanism, a prover incentive system, and a verifiable staking platform.

R0VM: RISC-V zkVM launched by RISC Zero. It supports mainstream languages like Rust and C++, simplifying development of ZK applications.

OP Kailua: A variant of OP Rollup built on R0VM, combined with a ZK dispute-proof system, already adopted by teams like BOB and Eclipse.

Steel: An EVM ZK co-processor used in projects such as Eigen, Lido, Aragon, Tokemak, etc.

2. How Does Boundless Work?

Boundless works through zkVM technology to generate and verify computation proofs, combined with cross-chain verification and a decentralized market mechanism:

Any program written in Rust can generate a zero-knowledge (ZK) proof via the zkVM.

Prover nodes submit proofs by executing useful computation, and are rewarded with tokens.

A verification mechanism ensures the correctness of proofs; provers who fail to submit them on time will be penalized.

The Boundless protocol enables different chains (e.g., Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Solana, etc.) to use these computation proofs, promoting ZK-driven DApp applications.

3. Who Founded Boundless?

Boundless is developed by RISC Zero, and its core members include:

Shiv Shankar: Chief Information Officer of RISC Zero, CEO of Boundless. He previously worked at Ava Labs, Coinbase, Lyft, and Amazon.

Joseph Restivo: COO, with a background in operations management and cybersecurity.

Jeremy Bruestle: RISC Zero’s CEO and one of the originators of the zkVM concept.

Frank Laub: RISC Zero’s CTO and a senior compiler engineering expert.

In addition, the board members of Boundless include Mar Piano, Fiona Brennan and Kelly Robinson.

4. Boundless Tokenomics

The native token of Boundless is $ZKC, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens (ERC-20). It uses a gradually decreasing inflation model:

Inflation rate: 7% in Year 1 and decreases each subsequent year; from Year 8 onward stabilizes at 3%.

Main uses:

Staking as collateral for provers (late submissions are punished);

Protocol staking to receive base rewards;

Mining rewards for prover nodes (75% of token emissions go to provers who must bind useful computing);

Governance.

Token Distribution & Vesting:

Team: 23.44% (12 months cliff, then linear vesting);

Investors: 21.56% (12 months cliff, then linear vesting);

Community Sale: 1.5% (50% unlocked at TGE, with the remaining vesting over 6 months);

Airdrop: 4.5% (100% unlocked at TGE);

Foundation Treasury: 49% (subject to lock-ups and milestone-based vesting).

5. Timeline of Key Milestones

On September 16, 2024, RISC Zero announced the launch of Boundless.

On July 15, 2025, Boundless's mainnet Beta went live.

On August 25, 2025, $ZKC community sale began on the Kaito Capital Launchpad.

In Q4 2025, Boundless plans to collaborate with Irreducible on a next-generation zkVM, expand its presence to Solana and Avalanche, and launch the first commercial application POC.

In Q1 2026, Boundless plans to develop a dedicated chip for ASIC with Bitmain and Fabric, further expand its presence to chains like Sui and Aptos, and formally launch its first commercial App.​ 

II. Token Information

III. Related Links