In the current Web3 space, many projects claim to utilize zero-knowledge proofs (ZK) technology, but in practice, they face numerous challenges. Most projects merely run proof generation programs (prover) on their own servers, rather than truly integrating and applying ZK technology.

This situation arises from the complexity of integrating ZK technology: the lack of unified interface standards, different proof systems require separate adaptation, and dynamic parameter passing and task combination are even more challenging. This results in ZK technology's application in Web3 being far from achieving its expected level of popularity and convenience.

However, the Proof Request model proposed by the Boundless network may change this situation. This innovative model aims to standardize, interface, and make proof requests composable, which is expected to become a key breakthrough for zk-SNARKs technology in the Web3 field.

Proof Request can be regarded as an "on-chain task container", the core components of which include:
1. Proof Spec: Specify the proof system to be called, such as Halo2 or Plonky2.
2. Input Spec: Defines the structure of task input parameters, supporting various data types.
3. Constraint Config: Set the constraints for circuit operation, including duration, memory usage, and output format, etc.
4. Callback Rule: Specifies the return path of the result, which can be on-chain or off-chain.

The importance of this model lies in the fact that it is not just another proof engine, but provides a standardized API layer for zk-SNARKs technology. Through Proof Request, developers can more easily integrate and use zk-SNARKs technology without having to delve into the specific details of each proof system.

This standardized and abstracted approach is expected to significantly lower the barrier to entry for ZK technology, making it truly a universal module within the Web3 ecosystem. With such innovations, we can expect to see more Web3 projects effectively leveraging ZK technology, driving the entire industry forward.