You can't trust a stranger's GPU the way you trust a datacenter. So the mesh doesn't ask you to — it asks the node to prove its work, and takes its stake if it lies.

The proof doesn't have to be exotic. For most jobs it's an optimistic checkpoint: the node commits a hash of its output, and anyone can challenge it within an hour by re-running a slice. Challenge a lie, slash the node, get a reward.

node commit --job 48211 --hash 0x9f2e…
checker verify --job 48211        # pass, escrow releases

where zk fits

For the jobs where an hour is too long to trust — payments, settlement — we wrap the work in a zero-knowledge proof that checks in milliseconds. It's the expensive tool, reserved for the moments that need it.