ZKsync has announced plans to shut down its original ZKsync Lite network in 2026. The company will continue to support withdrawals from the network while actively steering users towards its newer ZKsync Era and Elastic Network platforms. This transition follows major pilot programs, security incidents, and a significant upgrade endorsed by Vitalik Buterin.
The ZKsync Lite network, launched in December 2020, served as an initial testbed for zero-knowledge rollups on the Ethereum blockchain. Its core functionality involved reducing transaction fees by processing transactions in batches and submitting cryptographic proofs to the main Ethereum chain.
Since its inception, ZKsync Lite has been superseded by ZKsync Era, introduced in 2023, and the Elastic Network, launched in 2024. These advanced networks are designed to facilitate cross-chain activity without the reliance on traditional bridge infrastructure, offering enhanced interoperability.
The year 2025 proved to be eventful for ZKsync, marked by two notable security incidents. In April, a vulnerability allowed an attacker to mint unclaimed tokens during a distribution event; the majority of these funds were later recovered through a bounty agreement. Later in the year, unauthorized individuals compromised official ZKsync social media accounts, publishing false information about government investigations and distributing malicious links intended to steal user funds. The compromised accounts were subsequently secured.
Despite these challenges, ZKsync infrastructure also garnered significant institutional interest. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin endorsed the platform in late 2025, following a substantial network upgrade. This public support coincided with increased interest from financial institutions and a rise in the price of the ZK token.
Several prominent financial services firms have utilized ZKsync's capabilities. Tradable leveraged the network for private credit tokenization, and both Deutsche Bank and UBS conducted pilot programs focused on asset tokenization on ZKsync systems under regulatory oversight.
The company has confirmed that withdrawal functions to the Ethereum mainnet will remain operational throughout the deprecation period of the Lite network. Users are advised to await official migration instructions, which will be published next year, detailing the steps required for transitioning their assets and activities.