Startup Boundless, initially focused on zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) for Bitcoin, is radically changing its strategy. The company's management announced the expansion of its distributed GPU network to support inference tasks for artificial intelligence models. This decision marks a significant shift in the project's priorities.
According to Boundless CEO Shiva Shankar, the network comprises about 4,000 graphics processors that have been optimized for AI computing workloads. Initially, this infrastructure served as a coordinator and verifier, facilitating communication between Ethereum, the Base layer-2 network, and Bitcoin. Now, the company is repurposing its resources.
Initial benchmark tests show impressive results: inference costs on the Boundless network are nearly 50% lower than those of major cloud providers. This is especially noticeable in asynchronous tasks. Such low pricing is achieved by utilizing cheaper computing power, including consumer-grade graphics cards and equipment previously purchased for cryptocurrency mining and proof generation.
It is important to note that Boundless is not abandoning its work with ZKP, but specific details on the development of this direction have not yet been disclosed. Meanwhile, the company has already announced a new role for its native token, ZKC. It is planned that operators of the AI network will need to stake ZKC to join the network. The stake size will be "tied to potential revenue," creating a direct economic link between network participation and its tokenomics.
Although Boundless does not disclose details of its business strategy, the revision of its direction is a clear indicator of a general trend in the crypto industry—a shift in focus towards AI computing. This is not the first time a crypto-oriented company has switched to serving AI. Previously, for example, mining company TeraWulf raised $3.5 billion to build a data center for Anthropic.
Expert opinion: Boundless's decision is a pragmatic step reflecting market reality. Demand for cheap computing power for AI is growing exponentially, while the market for ZKP computing for cryptocurrencies is still in its infancy. By leveraging its existing GPU network, the company can quickly carve out a niche without spending funds on building infrastructure from scratch. However, success will depend on how sustainable the economic model tied to the ZKC token proves to be and whether Boundless can compete with cloud computing giants in terms of reliability and scale.