Risc Zero’s 'Boundless' Incentivized Testnet Goes Live

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Boundless, the decentralized zero-knowledge (ZK) compute marketplace powered by RISC Zero, has launched its incentivized testnet (which it is calling “Mainnet Beta”) on Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network.

With Boundless’ incentivized testnet, developers can build and test applications in an environment as if the protocol is in fully live format. The network has already landed early support from industry heavyweights like the Ethereum Foundation, Wormhole and EigenLayer.

A decentralized marketplace for zero-knowledge compute connects those who need zero-knowledge proofs — such as developers building rollups, bridges, or privacy-preserving applications — with a distributed network of independent “ZK provers or miners” who generate and verify those proofs. Instead of relying on centralized parties, this model allows anyone with the right hardware to contribute computing power and be rewarded for doing that cryptographic work.

Zero-knowledge (ZK) technology allows parties to prove that a transaction is valid without revealing sensitive details like identities or amounts. ZK proofs are widely seen as crucial to the next generation of privacy and scaling focused blockchain projects.

The network relies on a Proof of Verifiable Work (PoVW) consensus mechanism. “PoVW is an open proving market where ZK miners, like institutions and individuals with high-performance GPUs, are rewarded for successfully verifying proofs," the team wrote in a press release shared with CoinDesk. “Unlike traditional Proof of Work, miners get rewarded for verification within a ZK Virtual Machine, ensuring efficiency, fairness, and security.”

In addition, those who will participate in the incentivized testnet will be able to earn early allocations of the network’s forthcoming token, $ZKC, with an airdrop event planned for later this year. Rewards are distributed based on the volume, speed, and complexity of proofs generated.

The team also shared that the network’s real mainnet is planned for the third quarter of 2025, with the token going live then too.

“Boundless makes blockchains more scalable by allowing secure, cross-chain computing without repeating the same tasks. This boosts efficiency, strengthens security, and lets developers and miners join in across different ecosystems,” said Shiv Shankar, the CEO of Boundless, in the press release.

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