Decentralized data platform Space and Time has launched a new incentive scheme based on zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology. According to Foresight News, the ZK-Proven Incentives aim to shift protocol reward mechanisms from a focus on scale, such as total value locked (TVL) or transaction volume, to smart incentives based on protocol health and risk management.
The scheme employs a three-layer architecture consisting of an indexing layer, a query layer, and a contract layer. This setup allows protocols to conduct complex SQL analyses of user behavior off-chain, such as borrowers' long-term collateral ratios, repayment patterns, and traders' hedging quality and leverage risk. The results are then used to generate ZK proofs for on-chain contract verification.
Through this mechanism, lending protocols can identify and reward high-quality borrowers and long-term liquidity providers, while derivatives protocols can incentivize hedging behaviors that contribute to market stability. This approach aims to reduce bad debt and liquidation risks during extreme market conditions, thereby enhancing overall capital efficiency.