ZKsync
ZK rollup on Ethereum that proves every operation with zero-knowledge proofs, with its own EraVM.
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ZKsync key facts
| Category | Layer 2 network |
|---|---|
| Chains | Ethereum L2 |
| Platforms | Web, API |
| Fees | L2 fee that includes L1 pubdata cost, varies with L1 gas prices |
| Open source | Yes, Apache-2.0 (github.com/matter-labs/zksync-era) |
| Security audits | OpenZeppelin, Spearbit, Trust Security, Hexens, Veridise; Code4rena and CodeHawks contests |
| Token | ZK (governance, on ZKsync Era) |
ZK token
- Price
- $0.009 -1.8% 24h
- Market cap
- $98.7M
- Fully diluted value
- $188M
- 30-day change
- -35.2%
Market data: CoinGecko, updated Nov 9, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
What is ZKsync?
ZKsync is a zkRollup on Ethereum that proves every operation with zero-knowledge proofs. Fees depend on L1 gas prices because pubdata is published to Ethereum. Batches wait an execution delay of at least 3 hours, cut from 21 hours by ZIP-4, so full finality is about 3 hours.
How ZKsync works
ZKsync Era is a ZK rollup built with the ZK Stack.
A sequencer orders and executes transactions off chain, the Boojum prover produces a validity proof for each batch, and a verifier contract on Ethereum checks it. A batch forms in a few minutes, the proof takes about an hour, and a security delay of about 3 hours follows before the batch is executed on Ethereum. Contracts run on EraVM, and standard EVM bytecode runs through an interpreter.
The default bridges lock your tokens in an L1 contract and mint them on L2 at a deterministic address, which differs from the L1 address. They support only standard ERC-20 behavior, so rebasing tokens do not work. Withdrawals burn the L2 tokens and send a message to L1, where anyone can finalize them after the delay.
How to start with ZKsync
- Add ZKsync Era to MetaMask or another wallet: RPC mainnet.era.zksync.io, chain ID 324, currency ETH, explorer explorer.zksync.io.
- Era supports native account abstraction, so smart wallets can pay fees in ERC-20 tokens, and paymasters can cover gas for you.
- You get your transferred assets right away, even though full finality takes about 3 hours.
ZKsync fees and limits
Your fee includes the cost of publishing pubdata to Ethereum, so it moves with L1 gas prices. Storage writes are charged at the full cold cost first, and the operator refunds the difference for warm slots. You therefore need enough gas for the worst case even when a slot is warm. Right now only the operator enforces that refund, not the proof circuits.
Risks to know before using ZKsync
- Every batch waits at least 3 hours, cut from 21 hours by ZIP-4, and busy periods can add 1 to 2 hours.
- This delay runs through a Validator role the team controls, pointed at a time-lock contract, so exploits can be caught and the protocol frozen through governance.
- Audits come from OpenZeppelin, Spearbit, Trust Security, Hexens and Veridise, among others, plus Code4rena and CodeHawks contests.
- A bug bounty runs on Immunefi and pays in USDC.
ZKsync alternatives
Other projects people compare with ZKsync.
Optimistic rollup on Ethereum (Arbitrum One) built on the Offchain Labs Nitro stack, governed by ARB holders.
Ethereum layer 2 network built by Coinbase, with no native token and ETH used for gas.
zkEVM rollup on Ethereum incubated within Consensys, with ETH for gas and a LINEA burn token.
Optimistic rollup on Ethereum and reference chain of the open-source OP Stack.
Gaming-focused Ethereum layer 2 on the OP Stack, launched by Sky Mavis, with RON as its gas and staking token.
Validity rollup on Ethereum using STARK proofs and the Cairo language, with fees paid in STRK.
Where ZKsync ranks on DappAtlas
ZKsync pros and cons
- Full finality in about 3 hours, not 7 days
- Execution delay gives time to freeze the protocol if a bug is exploited
- Node code public under Apache-2.0
- Opcode pricing differs from Ethereum, e.g. keccak256 costs more
- L2 fees move with volatile L1 gas prices
- Validator role is controlled by the team behind a time lock
ZKsync FAQ
What is ZKsync?
ZKsync is a zkRollup on Ethereum that proves every operation with zero-knowledge proofs. Fees depend on L1 gas prices because pubdata is published to Ethereum. Batches wait an execution delay of at least 3 hours, cut from 21 hours by ZIP-4, so full finality is about 3 hours.
Which chains does ZKsync support?
Ethereum L2.
How much does ZKsync cost?
L2 fee that includes L1 pubdata cost, varies with L1 gas prices, according to ZKsync’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
Does ZKsync have a token?
Yes, ZK. Its market cap was $98.7M on CoinGecko on Nov 9, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: ZKsync: official site, ZKsync: Fee model, ZKsync: GitHub repository. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.