The Nexus network is a globally distributed proving system that makes zero-knowledge proofs efficient and accessible at scale. It functions as a verifiable supercomputer—coordinating computation, verifying results, and rewarding contribution.

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Why Proofs Matter

In a world increasingly run by opaque algorithms and black-box AI systems, proofs are how we move from assumptions to guarantees.

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) let one party prove that a computation was done correctly—without revealing the inputs or doing the work again. This unlocks a powerful new primitive for the Verifiable Internet: cryptographic trust in computation itself.

With ZKPs, we can:

  • Audit AI without seeing the data
  • Prove that smart contracts executed as intended
  • Verify off-chain work on-chain
  • Build systems that are both private and provable

Nexus makes this practical at scale—turning proofs from theory into infrastructure.

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Network Components

The Nexus Layer 1 network operates through two core components:

Nexus Orchestrator

A coordinating service that:

• Routes proving tasks across the network
• Verifies submitted proofs
• Tracks contributions and distributes rewards
• Maintains system integrity during early development

Network Nodes

A decentralized fleet of contributors that:

• Run the Nexus zkVM to generate proofs
• Provide compute resources to the network
• Submit results for verification
• Earn rewards for verified work

The Nexus Orchestrator is currently operated by Nexus to ensure stability and progress. Anyone can join the network by running a node through the CLI or web interface.

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How Nodes Participate

Nexus nodes are the engines of the network. By contributing compute power and generating proofs, nodes help secure the system and make verifiable computation possible.

Anyone can participate—no specialized hardware or technical expertise required. Whether through the CLI or a simple browser interface, nodes connect to the Nexus Network, perform useful work, and earn rewards.

Here’s how it works:

1

Node Setup

A user joins the network by installing the CLI tool or accessing the web interface. This turns their device into a node capable of generating proofs.

2

Network Connection

The node connects to the Nexus Orchestrator and requests a proving task—this could be part of an AI workload, smart contract execution, or off-chain verification.

3

Proof Creation

The node runs the task using the Nexus zkVM, performing the computation and generating a cryptographic proof that it was done correctly.

4

Work Submission

The completed proof is sent back to the Orchestrator for validation.

5

Verification & Points

Once verified, the node earns points in real-time. These points reflect the value of the work completed.

6

Token Distribution

Points are converted into Nexus Chain tokens every hour, allowing nodes to earn directly for their contributions to the Verifiable Internet.

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Current Implementation

This is the current devnet implementation which is based on learnings from previous testnets, which saw over 1.5 million nodes and 100,000 concurrent contributors.

Future versions will continue to focus on:

  • Enhanced scalability

  • Increased security

  • Greater decentralization