BulletProofs are a shortened versions of Zero-Knowledge Proofs that do not require a trusted setup. They are used to validate/verify data without having to reveal it.
In regards to the blockchain, cryptocurrency/digital asset industry, BulletProofs are implemented as a protocol for the purposes of privacy preservation, speed of execution, and storage/space efficiencies. First and foremost, Bulletproofs garners its name from its quick & compact operational standards. Second, because blockchain and crypto is at the highest level all about proving ownership/provenance, bulletproofs play and inseparable role from the industries operation (standardizing). Finally, Bulletproofs are an enhanced version of previously standardized software. The traditional software required trusted setup (a point of security breach and informational hierarchy).