ZKsync has announced plans to deprecate its original zero-knowledge rollup network in 2026, marking the end of Ethereum's first zk-rollup blockchain that launched in 2020.
The network, known as ZKsync Lite or ZKsync 1.0, will undergo an "orderly sunset" next year after fulfilling its original purpose as a proof-of-concept system. Matter Labs, the technology company behind ZK, confirmed the retirement would not affect any other ZKsync systems currently in operation.
ZKsync Lite was designed primarily for fast transfers and minting NFTs but lacked smart-contract support, which significantly limited its functionality. The network pioneered the use of validity proofs that could instantly verify transaction legitimacy before bundling them for final validation on the Ethereum mainnet.
Transition to ZKsync Era
Development on the original network ceased in early 2023 when Matter Labs launched ZKsync Era, its zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine that added smart contract capabilities. The newer zkEVM platform has since attracted substantially more activity and capital compared to its predecessor.
User Impact and Asset Security
Users currently holding funds on ZKsync Lite face no immediate action requirements, with the network continuing normal operations through the deprecation process. Withdrawals to Ethereum's layer-1 will remain functional throughout the transition period, according to the announcement.
The network currently holds just under $50 million in bridged assets and processed only 330 user operations in the past day, according to L2BEAT data. By comparison, ZKsync Era recorded over 22,000 user operations during the same timeframe with $36.4 million locked in decentralized-finance protocols.
Matter Labs plans to share detailed migration guidance, specific dates, and concrete timelines for affected users in the coming months. The team emphasized that funds remain secure during the entire deprecation process.
Future Strategic Direction
Co-creator Alex Gluchowski proposed overhauling the $ZK governance token last month to prioritize economic utility by tying the token directly to network fees. The proposal reflects broader strategic changes as the blockchain ecosystem continues to evolve beyond its proof-of-concept origins.