RISC Zero Boundless: universal ZK verifiable compute layer
Thread954 words
Long thread explaining why ZK matters and how Boundless offers verifiable compute on any chain through a decentralized prover network, universal proof verification and RISC-V based components. Covers partners, funding and the likely token.
Key claims
RISC Zero raised $54M, including a $40M Series A in 2023
Verifier contracts are deployed on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Solana, Base, Polygon, Starknet and Avalanche
The prover network with ZK-mining will likely require a RISC token
They raised $54M from leading VCs including @bcap, @Maven11Capital or @IOSGVC.
Today, @RiscZero unveiled the ZK endgame.
Boundless is a verifiable compute layer that unleashes unlimited, ZK-powered execution on any chain.
Alpha-🧵 on a giant rising from the shadows. t.co/VVvBr3n7cR
1/ ZK matters.
Why?
Blockchains are distributed, programmable trust layers.
They allow us to bypass intermediaries and enable powerful applications that provide code-driven efficiency improvements over legacy systems.
2/ However, they don't scale well.
Why?
Most blockchains rely on the global re-execution of all transactions among the decentralized set of validators.
The re-execution of all data introduces a significant scalability bottleneck.
3/ Luckily, crypto-economically secured consensus (in the case of PoS networks) is not the only way to agree on the validity of data.
Leveraging succinct, cryptographic proofs (a.k.a. ZK proofs), we can mathematically prove the correctness of execution, allowing anyone to verify the proofs efficiently themselves.
4/ Sounds familiar?
It should.
This is how ZK rollups work, where transactions are processed in batches off-chain, while ZK proofs of execution are posted to the underlying (public) L1 alongside the rollup's data, and verified in corresponding contracts.
5/ Unfortunately though, designing performant ZK proof systems and writing the circuits to prove the computation of various VMs and apps is a complex and expensive endeavour.
6/ It took years to bring the first zkEVMs to market.
And while they can prove EVM computation (with varying degrees of equivalence on a DevEx level) builders still suffer EVM constraints and are limited to Solidity-based app development.
7/ @RiscZero fixes this. 🟡
Boundless is a full-stack ZK solution, enabling verifiable compute for every developer, across every blockchain.
It preserves the core tenet of blockchains (decentralization and censorship resistance), while eliminating the constraints that have held us back.
8/ Boundless comprises of a suite of powerful components including:
➤ Steel (ZK Co-Processor)
➤ Blobstream Zero (ZK-powered DA bridge)
➤ Zeth (ZK block prover for Ethereum).
Based on the RISC-V instruction set, these r0 zkVM based components allow developers to build in mature and familiar languages, including Rust among others.
9/ I have previously covered Zeth and Steel.
If you want to learn more, check my post below. ⤵️
x.com/zerokn0wledge_/status/1794735365107876237
10/ For more on Blobstream Zero, have a look here! ⤵️
x.com/zerokn0wledge_/status/1814612126448681290
11/ Boundless also provides a decentralized prover network* for on-demand proving services that scales dynamically and is backed by a novel ZK-mining incentive mechanism.
* ) including @Rockaway_X, @presto_labs, @zero_computing and @PiKNiK_US.
Supporting proof aggregation, the system allows for proofs from various systems to be batched, sharing onchain verification costs and improving system efficiency.
The universal proof verification layer is where the ZK proof verification happens. It allows for fast and cheap verification across any blockchain, allowing devs to inherit the security of their settlement layer of choice.
Verifier contracts are already deployed on Ethereum, @arbitrum, @optimism, @solana, @base, @0xpolygon, @starknet, @avax and more.
12/ Opening up an unlimited design space, Boundless lets devs build anything from ZK-powered L1s or L2s to dApps and beyond.
Already today, @RiscZero's technology is powering disruptive innovation in the space of verifiable computation.
This includes @citrea_xyz (EVM rollup on Bitcoin), @EclipseFND (SVM rollup on Ethereum/Celestia), @spicenetio (SVM rollup on Ethereum/Celestia) and many more.
Boundless is built upon the latest generation of ZK proofs, enabling computations orders of magnitude larger than previously possible, at costs orders of magnitude lower.
It will accelerate the trend towards verifable computation and bring even more powerful use cases on-chain.
For example, verifiable AI models can now post responses that settle onchain, opening the door for powerful interactions between smart contracts and AI models.
The possibilities are limitless. 🤯
13/ @RiscZero's R0 is currently the most performant general-purpose zkVM in the market.
If you are a data nerd, check my deep dive below. 📊 ⤵️
x.com/zerokn0wledge_/status/1808782962852241439
14/ What is the roadmap for Boundless? 👀
Boundless is already in early testing, demonstrating its capabilities in real-world scenarios.
To do so, @RiscZero has partnered with leading blockchain networks and applications, rigorously testing and refining Boundless.
Partners include:
➤ @eigencloud
➤ @alt_layer
➤ @CelestiaOrg
➤ @AvailProject
➤ @EclipseFND
➤ @FabricCrypto
➤ @taikoxyz
➤ @citrea_xyz
➤ @AutomataNetwork
➤ @sovereign_labs
➤ @hashflow
➤ @union_build
➤ @ElectronZK
➤ @nebrazkp
➤ @vlayer_xyz
➤ +++
These collaborations aim to validate the Boundless design and accelerate the path to public testnet.
15/ Will there be a token? 🪂
While there has been no confirmation from @RiscZero around this so far, the decentralized proving network with the "ZK-mining incentive mechanism" will likely require a $RISC token.
The only option for participation in the network so far, has been the trusted setup ceremony for the zkVM (see thread below).
x.com/zerokn0wledge_/status/1782846965375725728
16/ If you are a builder or node operator, make sure to check beboundless(.)xyz/join to fill the interest form if you want to be early.
For the less tech-savvy among us, drop @RiscZero a follow and stay tuned for updates with regards to the public testnet.
There will 100% be options to get involved. 🪂 🤫
17/ @RiscZero raised $54M in total, with a Series A in 2023 accounting for $40M alone.
The team is backed by @bcap, which led the Series A, @BainCapCrypto (seed round lead) and with participation from:
➤ @GalaxyDigital
➤ @IOSGVC
➤ @Rockaway_X
➤ @Maven11Capital
➤ @fenbushi
➤ @Delphi_Digital
➤ @iobc_capital
➤ +++
Once the token drops, this will be a multi-billion $$$ project anon.
DYOR. 🧠
18/ Check out the original announcement post by @RiscZero below for more information! ⤵️
x.com/RiscZero/status/1835665979201724639
That's a wrap! I hope you've found this thread helpful! 🫡
Make sure to follow me @zerokn0wledge_ to stay ahead of the curve on the ZK endgame and catch all the (zk)alpha! 👀
Like/Repost of the below post is also highly appreciated! 🙏👇
x.com/zerokn0wledge_/status/1835774030416425449
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