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What Is Succinct (PROVE)?
Key Takeaways
Succinct is building a protocol on Ethereum that coordinates a distributed network of provers to generate zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for any piece of software.
The network’s goal is to make ZK proofs faster, cheaper, and easier to use without having to run your own proof infrastructure.
The protocol functions as a two-sided marketplace, connecting requesters and provers to support a wide range of applications such as bridges, oracles, and AI agents.
The network uses an off-chain auction system for matching requests to provers, with results settled on-chain via smart contracts.
Introduction
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are a powerful way to prove something is true without revealing the details behind it. They’re used in everything from blockchains to privacy tools, but generating these proofs usually requires expensive hardware and deep knowledge of cryptography.
Succinct is building a protocol on Ethereum that makes this process easier. Instead of building custom infrastructure from scratch, developers can request proofs from a shared network of provers. This makes it easier to integrate ZKPs into applications like rollups, bridges, AI agents, and games without needing specialized hardware or advanced cryptographic knowledge.
What Is Succinct?
Succinct is building a decentralized prover network that anyone can use to request and generate ZKPs. The network serves as a marketplace where developers and applications can submit proof requests, and independent provers compete to generate those proofs in exchange for rewards.
The network runs as a verifiable application (vApp), which means it is designed to feel like a fast, responsive web app, but everything under the hood is cryptographically secure and verifiable on-chain.
Succinct Processor 1 (SP1)
SP1, short for Succinct Processor 1, is a general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) developed by Succinct Labs. Its goal is to make zero-knowledge proof generation more accessible and developer-friendly.
Instead of having to write complex cryptographic circuits, developers can use coding languages they already know, like Rust or C++. After writing their program, developers can compile and send it through SP1. Provers on the Succinct network would then run the program and generate verifiable proof that everything was executed correctly without exposing any of the data.
By removing the need for custom ZK stacks, SP1 helps bring ZKPs into more real-world applications like Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, games, and decentralized infrastructure.
How the Succinct Prover Network Works
A two-sided marketplace
The Succinct prover network is a decentralized protocol that connects two groups:
Requesters: Developers or applications that need ZK proofs.
Provers: Independent participants who generate ZK proofs.
When someone needs a ZK proof, they send a request into the network. Provers will compete and bid to take on the job, offering the best price or fastest turnaround.
Off-chain: The auctioneer
The matching between requesters and provers happen off-chain, through a system called the auctioneer. Everything happens through fast Remote Procedure Call (RPC) calls, so there is no waiting for blocks to confirm or dealing with slow on-chain interactions. That’s what makes the experience fast and responsive, as provers can see submitted proof requests immediately and start bidding right away.
On-chain: Ethereum settlement
Even though all the matching and bidding happens off-chain, everything is settled and verified on Ethereum. The auctioneer regularly submits ZKPs that show everything was handled correctly, from who won the bid to how the proof was generated. All funds remain securely locked in Ethereum smart contracts, so no one has custody of your money and you can withdraw it at any time.
This separation between execution (off-chain) and settlement (on-chain) is central to Succinct’s architecture. It allows users to enjoy the speed of a modern web app while still benefiting from the transparency and trust guarantees of Ethereum.
Backend architecture
The backend architecture is designed so that anyone can independently verify what’s happening in the network.
The auctioneer keeps a transparent record of user balances, proof requests, and completed jobs. To ensure everything can be verified, it creates Merkle proofs for every read and write, and regularly posts them to Ethereum so anyone can check that the data is accurate.
There is a dedicated prover service that reads from this database and uses SP1 to generate a ZKP of the network’s new state. This includes balance changes, job assignments, and proof deliveries. These proofs are regularly posted to Ethereum, allowing anyone to check that the network is functioning correctly even without trusting the auctioneer itself.
Succinct Use Cases
The Succinct Prover Network can support a wide range of blockchain and off-chain applications by making ZKP generation accessible and efficient. Some key areas include:
Cross‑chain bridges: Verifying data or messages from one blockchain on another without relying on a trusted intermediary.
ZK-rollups: Helping rollups scale more efficiently by offloading proof generation to a decentralized network of provers.
Verifiable computation: Proving that off-chain processes (like AI inference, simulations, or financial calculations) were run correctly and haven’t been tampered with.
Light clients: Enabling lightweight blockchain nodes to verify on-chain data using compact ZK proofs instead of downloading the entire blockchain’s history.
The PROVE Token
The PROVE token is an ERC-20 token issued on Ethereum and the native utility token of the Succinct protocol. The token can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Payment: PROVE is used to pay for proof generation. When rollups, bridges, or DApps submit proof requests to the network, they pay provers in PROVE.
Staking: Provers can stake PROVE to join auctions and earn jobs. The more they stake, the more requests they can handle. But if they fail to deliver or submit a faulty proof, part of their stake can be slashed as a penalty.
Delegation: Token holders can delegate their PROVE to provers and can earn a share of the prover's earnings. The Succinct foundation offers extra staking rewards to encourage early participation.
Governance: At launch, a security council manages upgrades. Over time, governance will move fully on-chain, and PROVE holders will vote on protocol changes, funding decisions, and network parameters.
Succinct (PROVE) on Binance HODLer Airdrops
On August 5, 2025, Binance announced PROVE as the 31st project on the Binance HODLer Airdrops. Users who subscribed their BNB to Simple Earn and/or On-Chain Yields products from July 9 to 12 were eligible to receive PROVE airdrops. A total of 15 million PROVE tokens were allocated to the program, accounting for 1.50% of the total token supply.
PROVE was listed with the Seed Tag applied, allowing for trading against the USDT, USDC, BNB, FDUSD, and TRY pairs.
Closing Thoughts
Zero-knowledge proofs are becoming an important part of blockchain infrastructure, helping to scale networks, enable privacy, and verify off-chain computation. By combining an open marketplace, a performant zkVM, and a secure staking model, Succinct is helping make ZK proofs more practical and accessible for real-world use.
Further Reading
What Are ZKThreads and How Do They Work?
What Are Appchains (Application-Specific Blockchains)?
What Is Chain Abstraction?
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
Succinct is building a protocol on Ethereum that coordinates a distributed network of provers to generate zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for any piece of software.
The network’s goal is to make ZK proofs faster, cheaper, and easier to use without having to run your own proof infrastructure.
The protocol functions as a two-sided marketplace, connecting requesters and provers to support a wide range of applications such as bridges, oracles, and AI agents.
The network uses an off-chain auction system for matching requests to provers, with results settled on-chain via smart contracts.
Introduction
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are a powerful way to prove something is true without revealing the details behind it. They’re used in everything from blockchains to privacy tools, but generating these proofs usually requires expensive hardware and deep knowledge of cryptography.
Succinct is building a protocol on Ethereum that makes this process easier. Instead of building custom infrastructure from scratch, developers can request proofs from a shared network of provers. This makes it easier to integrate ZKPs into applications like rollups, bridges, AI agents, and games without needing specialized hardware or advanced cryptographic knowledge.
What Is Succinct?
Succinct is building a decentralized prover network that anyone can use to request and generate ZKPs. The network serves as a marketplace where developers and applications can submit proof requests, and independent provers compete to generate those proofs in exchange for rewards.
The network runs as a verifiable application (vApp), which means it is designed to feel like a fast, responsive web app, but everything under the hood is cryptographically secure and verifiable on-chain.
Succinct Processor 1 (SP1)
SP1, short for Succinct Processor 1, is a general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) developed by Succinct Labs. Its goal is to make zero-knowledge proof generation more accessible and developer-friendly.
Instead of having to write complex cryptographic circuits, developers can use coding languages they already know, like Rust or C++. After writing their program, developers can compile and send it through SP1. Provers on the Succinct network would then run the program and generate verifiable proof that everything was executed correctly without exposing any of the data.
By removing the need for custom ZK stacks, SP1 helps bring ZKPs into more real-world applications like Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, games, and decentralized infrastructure.
How the Succinct Prover Network Works
A two-sided marketplace
The Succinct prover network is a decentralized protocol that connects two groups:
Requesters: Developers or applications that need ZK proofs.
Provers: Independent participants who generate ZK proofs.
When someone needs a ZK proof, they send a request into the network. Provers will compete and bid to take on the job, offering the best price or fastest turnaround.
Off-chain: The auctioneer
The matching between requesters and provers happen off-chain, through a system called the auctioneer. Everything happens through fast Remote Procedure Call (RPC) calls, so there is no waiting for blocks to confirm or dealing with slow on-chain interactions. That’s what makes the experience fast and responsive, as provers can see submitted proof requests immediately and start bidding right away.
On-chain: Ethereum settlement
Even though all the matching and bidding happens off-chain, everything is settled and verified on Ethereum. The auctioneer regularly submits ZKPs that show everything was handled correctly, from who won the bid to how the proof was generated. All funds remain securely locked in Ethereum smart contracts, so no one has custody of your money and you can withdraw it at any time.
This separation between execution (off-chain) and settlement (on-chain) is central to Succinct’s architecture. It allows users to enjoy the speed of a modern web app while still benefiting from the transparency and trust guarantees of Ethereum.
Backend architecture
The backend architecture is designed so that anyone can independently verify what’s happening in the network.
The auctioneer keeps a transparent record of user balances, proof requests, and completed jobs. To ensure everything can be verified, it creates Merkle proofs for every read and write, and regularly posts them to Ethereum so anyone can check that the data is accurate.
There is a dedicated prover service that reads from this database and uses SP1 to generate a ZKP of the network’s new state. This includes balance changes, job assignments, and proof deliveries. These proofs are regularly posted to Ethereum, allowing anyone to check that the network is functioning correctly even without trusting the auctioneer itself.
Succinct Use Cases
The Succinct Prover Network can support a wide range of blockchain and off-chain applications by making ZKP generation accessible and efficient. Some key areas include:
Cross‑chain bridges: Verifying data or messages from one blockchain on another without relying on a trusted intermediary.
ZK-rollups: Helping rollups scale more efficiently by offloading proof generation to a decentralized network of provers.
Verifiable computation: Proving that off-chain processes (like AI inference, simulations, or financial calculations) were run correctly and haven’t been tampered with.
Light clients: Enabling lightweight blockchain nodes to verify on-chain data using compact ZK proofs instead of downloading the entire blockchain’s history.
The PROVE Token
The PROVE token is an ERC-20 token issued on Ethereum and the native utility token of the Succinct protocol. The token can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Payment: PROVE is used to pay for proof generation. When rollups, bridges, or DApps submit proof requests to the network, they pay provers in PROVE.
Staking: Provers can stake PROVE to join auctions and earn jobs. The more they stake, the more requests they can handle. But if they fail to deliver or submit a faulty proof, part of their stake can be slashed as a penalty.
Delegation: Token holders can delegate their PROVE to provers and can earn a share of the prover's earnings. The Succinct foundation offers extra staking rewards to encourage early participation.
Governance: At launch, a security council manages upgrades. Over time, governance will move fully on-chain, and PROVE holders will vote on protocol changes, funding decisions, and network parameters.
Succinct (PROVE) on Binance HODLer Airdrops
On August 5, 2025, Binance announced PROVE as the 31st project on the Binance HODLer Airdrops. Users who subscribed their BNB to Simple Earn and/or On-Chain Yields products from July 9 to 12 were eligible to receive PROVE airdrops. A total of 15 million PROVE tokens were allocated to the program, accounting for 1.50% of the total token supply.
PROVE was listed with the Seed Tag applied, allowing for trading against the USDT, USDC, BNB, FDUSD, and TRY pairs.
Closing Thoughts
Zero-knowledge proofs are becoming an important part of blockchain infrastructure, helping to scale networks, enable privacy, and verify off-chain computation. By combining an open marketplace, a performant zkVM, and a secure staking model, Succinct is helping make ZK proofs more practical and accessible for real-world use.
Further Reading
What Are ZKThreads and How Do They Work?
What Are Appchains (Application-Specific Blockchains)?
What Is Chain Abstraction?
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
Disclaimer: Includes third-party opinions. No financial advice. May include sponsored content. See T&Cs.