ZKsync Introduces Atlas Upgrade with Fast 1-Second ZK Finality

Sequencer Handles Heavy Traffic

The upgrade includes a new transaction sequencer designed for heavy traffic. In tests, high-frequency price updates reached around 23,000 transactions per second, stablecoin transfers averaged about 15,000, and ETH transfers went up to 43,000.

Transactions were completed in 250 to 500 milliseconds, showing the system can manage enterprise workloads smoothly.

Airbender for Quick Verification

A major feature of the upgrade is Airbender, a zero-knowledge virtual machine built on RISC-V. It produces proofs for blocks in around one second, while final settlement on Ethereum takes just a few minutes. This speed is especially useful for tokenized assets and cross-chain transactions, where timing matters.

The cost of verifying an ERC20 transfer is roughly $0.0001. Fast verification like this is particularly useful for tokenized assets and cross‑chain operations, where timing is crucial.

Expanded Virtual Machine Support

The upgrade also broadens support for multiple virtual machines while keeping full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. Atlas runs on x86 for sequencer operations and RISC‑V for proof generation.

This makes sure the code that runs on the network is exactly the same as what gets verified on‑chain, so enterprises can run private or hybrid blockchain networks reliably and consistently.

Enterprise Adoption

The upgrade comes as blockchain use grows among financial institutions. BlackRock’s tokenized U.S. Treasury fund recently surpassed $1 billion in assets under management. Deutsche Bank is working with fintech Memento on tokenized asset infrastructure. Cross‑border blockchain payments are projected to reach $2 trillion by the end of 2025, reflecting the need for systems that are both scalable and interoperable.

Deployment Timeline

Testnets using the Atlas upgrade are live now, and the mainnet is expected to go live in the next few weeks. Analysts say the upgrade could help enterprises try out private or hybrid blockchain networks, with faster settlement and almost real‑time verification of transactions.