ZKsync Lite, the inaugural zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup network launched on Ethereum, is set to be deprecated next year, according to its team, having achieved its intended goals.
“In 2026, we plan to retire ZKsync Lite (also known as ZKsync 1.0), the original ZK-rollup we introduced on Ethereum,” ZKsync noted in a post on X this Sunday. “This is a planned, orderly phase-out for a system that has accomplished its purpose and does not impact other ZKsync systems.”
They emphasized that ZKsync Lite “was a pioneering proof-of-concept, validating vital concepts needed to develop operational ZK systems.”
“It fulfilled its role: demonstrating what’s achievable and laying the groundwork for future advancements.”
Matter Labs launched ZKsync Lite in 2020, aimed at enabling swift transfers and minting non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, its lack of support for smart contracts limited its applications.
The network was the first to implement validity proofs that provided instant confirmation of transaction validity before bundling transactions for submission to the Ethereum mainnet for final approval.
Development on ZKsync Lite ceased in early 2023 following the launch of its zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM), which supports smart contracts, known as ZKsync Era.
ZKsync reassured that no immediate action is necessary from users of ZKsync Lite, and the network continues to function normally. “Funds are secure, and withdrawals to L1 will persist throughout this transition,” they added.
Other products are likewise unaffected, with the team promising to provide “specific details, timelines, and migration guidance soon” regarding ZKsync Lite.
Related: Privacy tools are gaining traction amid institutional adoption, states ZKsync developer
Approximately $50 million is currently bridged to the network, according to DefiLlama, yet L2BEAT data indicates it has seen just over 330 user operations in the last day.
In contrast, DefiLlama reports that ZKsync Era holds a total value locked in decentralized finance of $36.4 million, with L2BEAT showing over 22,000 user operations within the same period.
The ZKsync blockchain may experience future modifications. Last month, co-creator Alex Gluchowski suggested revamping its ZKsync (ZK) governance token to enhance “economic utility,” linking the token to the network’s fees.
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