TLDR
- ZKsync Lite, Ethereum’s first zero-knowledge payment rollup, will be retired in 2026.
- The retirement marks the transition to ZKsync Era as the main Ethereum scaling solution.
- ZKsync Lite was initially launched in 2020 as a proof-of-concept for Matter Labs’ zkEVM systems.
- Despite low daily usage, ZKsync Lite holds around $49 million in bridged assets.
- Matter Labs first rebranded ZKsync 1.0 to ZKsync Lite in February 2023 before shifting focus to ZKsync Era.
ZKsync, an Ethereum scaling solution developed by Matter Labs, announced plans to retire ZKsync Lite in 2026. Launched in June 2020, ZKsync Lite was Ethereum’s first zero-knowledge payment rollup. The decision to sunset the network marks the end of a key phase in the project’s evolution.
The ZKsync team clarified that this is a planned and orderly transition. They emphasized that the retirement will not affect other ZKsync systems. According to a statement on X, “ZKsync Lite was a proof-of-concept and validated critical ideas.” The team explained that its role was to test fundamental concepts for the more advanced systems now in operation.
ZKsync Lite was designed as a lightweight system focused on basic transfers, NFT minting, and swaps. However, it lacked support for smart contracts, limiting its long-term functionality. The introduction of ZKsync Era and the ZK Stack addressed these limitations with full EVM compatibility and broader functionality.
Matter Labs Shifts Focus to ZKsync Era
ZKsync Lite helped Matter Labs test early ideas and proved key concepts in Ethereum scaling. This allowed the team to build upon the system for the development of ZKsync Era. The team stated, “It did its job: prove what’s possible and pave the way for the next generation.”
Matter Labs initially rebranded ZKsync 1.0 to ZKsync Lite in February 2023. The change followed a decision to focus engineering efforts on the more advanced ZKsync Era. ZKsync Lite then ceased receiving active updates, with the team shifting focus toward building ZKsync Era and its underlying zkEVM ecosystem.
The launch of ZKsync Era in 2023 brought full compatibility with Ethereum’s EVM. This compatibility allowed developers to consolidate liquidity and tools around the newer system, phasing out ZKsync Lite. With fewer than 200 daily operations recorded in recent months, the transition to Era has been substantial.
Retirement and Transition Plans for ZKsync Lite
Despite the decreasing use of ZKsync Lite, it still holds around $49 million in bridged assets. These assets remain accessible for withdrawal to Ethereum through the network’s Layer 1 contract. ZKsync confirmed that withdrawals will continue to function throughout the deprecation process.
The ZKsync team reassured users that the planned retirement of ZKsync Lite will be gradual. They also committed to providing clear timelines and instructions for the transition in the coming year. This process will ensure that users can manage their assets without disruption.
Matter Labs first announced a shift in focus towards ZKsync Era in early 2023. The company confirmed it would continue to prioritize the development of ZKsync Era, the foundation for the zkEVM ecosystem. With the upcoming retirement of ZKsync Lite, the evolution of Matter Labs’ Ethereum scaling solution continues.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
