Catenaa, Wednesday, January 28, 2026-Boundless, a zero-knowledge proof (ZK) network and marketplace developed by RISC Zero, has launched a cross-chain verification system allowing Bitcoin to serve as a settlement and verification layer for computationally intensive ZK proofs from Ethereum and Base Layer 2.
The system leverages Bitcoin as the ultimate verifier without modifying its core protocol, enabling Ethereum-style computations to be anchored and validated on the largest blockchain.
Boundless CEO Shiv Shankar described the approach as Ethereum execution secured by Bitcoin, rather than running directly on it.
Boundless uses the Bitcoin Virtual Machine (BitVM) and Citrea, a Bitcoin-native ZK rollup, to extend verification capabilities to Bitcoin. BitVM, introduced in 2023 and operational since mid-2025, enables offchain computations to be validated on Bitcoin without altering its consensus rules.
Shankar said the setup allows developers to anchor complex computations while relying on Bitcoin’s security as a neutral settlement layer.
ZK proofs, which provide compact verification of computations without revealing details, have become key tools for scaling networks and enhancing privacy.
Boundless’ system also integrates the Wormhole bridge to connect Ethereum-compatible chains, including Avalanche and Base, to Solana.
Shankar noted the technical challenges of working with Bitcoin, which lacks native verification primitives.
“Everything has to be expressed through Bitcoin’s scripting model. Verification is more constrained because it’s more honest. You’re paying for dispute resolution, not continuous execution,” he said.
Boundless intends to expand support to additional blockchains, positioning Bitcoin as a shared security and settlement layer for broader ZK and blockchain applications, addressing growing demand from rollups seeking neutral, high-assurance settlement infrastructure.
