Catenaa, Tuesday, January 27, 2026-The Boundless team announced a system allowing Bitcoin to serve as a settlement and verification layer for Ethereum and Base ZK proofs.
The Boundless team are the creators of a zero-knowledge proof network and marketplace by RISC Zero.
The new cross-chain verification approach links computationally heavy zero-knowledge operations from Ethereum mainnet and Base Layer 2 to Bitcoin, unlocking the largest blockchain as a neutral settlement platform.
Boundless CEO Shiv Shankar said the system does not convert Bitcoin into Ethereum but secures Ethereum-style execution using Bitcoin as the ultimate verifier.
The approach leverages the Bitcoin Virtual Machine, or BitVM, a framework for validating off-chain computations without altering Bitcoin’s core protocol.
Boundless’ platform also integrates with Citrea, a Bitcoin-native, ZK-powered rollup, to anchor proofs on the network.
Zero-knowledge proofs, which allow complex computations to be verified without revealing sensitive data, have expanded network scalability and privacy on blockchains.
Boundless’ integration with the Wormhole bridge in August extended connectivity to other chains, including Avalanche and Solana, preparing Bitcoin to act as a shared security layer across ecosystems.
The development reflects a shift in the Bitcoin ecosystem from viewing the network as a store of value toward using it for verification and neutral settlement. Boundless said the system aims to accelerate adoption of production-grade ZK proofs on Bitcoin while reducing costs and improving reliability.
