ZK Rollup's reshaping of the Ethereum ecosystem by 2025: An in-depth analysis of 11 must-see projects

Ethereum, as the dominant platform for decentralized applications, is transforming the global financial landscape but also exposing its own critical weaknesses—network congestion, high transaction fees, and slow processing speeds. Although Ethereum 2.0 is gradually being rolled out, this upgrade has yet to fully resolve the scalability challenges. In this context, Layer 2 solutions have emerged, among which ZK Rollup stands out for its unique security and efficiency advantages, becoming the most anticipated scalability direction in 2025.

Why Can ZK Rollup Become Ethereum’s “Savior”?

Imagine busy city streets clogged with traffic, leading to low commuting efficiency. ZK Rollup is like a bypass highway, shifting transaction processing off the main chain and then using cryptographic proofs (zero-knowledge proofs) to ensure each transaction is legitimate—without revealing any personal details.

The brilliance of this technology lies in:

Core Operational Mechanism

ZK Rollup achieves scalability through the following process: first, smart contracts define transaction rules on the Ethereum mainnet; second, transactions are processed in batches in an off-chain virtual machine, greatly optimizing cost and speed; third, cryptographic proofs are generated to verify the validity of the entire batch; finally, this proof is sent back to the mainnet for validation by verifiers.

This process leverages the three main features of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP)—completeness, soundness, and zero-knowledge—to ensure transactions are both secure and efficient. Meanwhile, the proof size is highly compact, significantly reducing storage pressure on the mainnet and enabling ultra-fast transaction speeds.

Comparison with Traditional Layer 2 Solutions

Optimistic Rollup assumes transactions are valid by default and only verifies them during disputes; in contrast, ZK Rollup cryptographically verifies each transaction. This means ZK Rollup can achieve instant finality without waiting for challenge periods, offering superior security and privacy protections. The trade-off is higher technical complexity but greater reliability.

Leading ZK Rollup Projects in the Ethereum Ecosystem

1. Manta Network: Pioneer of Privacy DeFi

Key Metrics

• Market Cap: $33.99M (MANTA)
• Launch Date: September 2023 (Testnet)

Manta Pacific is a trailblazer in privacy-focused Layer 2 solutions on Ethereum. It employs zk-SNARKs technology, enabling users to conduct encrypted asset transactions and exchanges in complete privacy. Transaction details (including asset type and amount) are encrypted, yet verification remains possible—highlighting the elegance of ZK Rollup.

Since launch, Manta Network has rapidly surpassed Coinbase’s Base, becoming the fourth-largest Layer 2 solution on Ethereum, with TVL reaching as high as $851M. Its unique contribution lies in pioneering privacy DeFi when most other DeFi platforms lack privacy features, and it aims to provide privacy layer interfaces for various blockchain-based DeFi applications.

2. Linea: High-Performance Cross-Chain Bridge

Key Metrics

• Market Cap: $107.83M (LINEA)
• Launch Date: August 2023

Linea, developed by Consensys, is a ZK Rollup solution focused on transaction speed and cost optimization. It processes transactions in batches off-chain using zk-SNARKs for verification, then submits a single proof back to the mainnet. Its airdrop plan announced in January 2024 has sparked market enthusiasm, although the token’s full utility is yet to be disclosed.

Linea’s competitive edge lies in developer friendliness—low barriers to integration allow faster development and deployment of Ethereum-based applications. In a landscape with multiple Layer 2 options, this ease of use is a key differentiator.

3. Polygon zkEVM: Power of Ecosystem Collaboration

Key Metrics

• TVL: $115M
• Launch Date: March 2023 (Mainnet Beta)
• Native Token: MATIC

Polygon zkEVM is a branch of the Polygon ecosystem employing ZK Rollup technology with full EVM compatibility. Transactions are executed off-chain in an EVM-compatible environment, then confirmed on-chain via ZK proofs. This design ensures seamless migration of existing Ethereum smart contracts, with no need for code rewriting.

As part of the Polygon ecosystem, zkEVM benefits from network effects and synergy with other Polygon solutions, offering users a more comprehensive Layer 2 ecosystem.

4. Starknet: Defender of the Quantum Era

Key Metrics

• Market Cap: $396.38M (STRK)
• Launch Date: February 2022

Starknet is based on STARKs technology (Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge), another class of zero-knowledge proofs. Unlike zk-SNARKs, STARKs do not require trusted setup and are inherently resistant to future quantum computing attacks.

Starknet processes and verifies transactions off-chain, then sends confirmations back to the Ethereum mainnet. The platform supports general-purpose computation, meaning any type of smart contract can run, providing developers with high flexibility. In projects prioritizing long-term security and quantum resistance, Starknet is becoming the preferred choice.

5. zkSync Era: Benchmark of EVM Compatibility and Performance

Key Metrics

• TVL: $555M
• Launch Date: March 2023 (Mainnet full release)
• Native Token: ZKS

Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync Era balances efficiency and usability. It uses zkRollup technology, aggregating transactions off-chain into a single proof before submitting it to Ethereum. This process greatly reduces transaction costs and increases throughput.

The core strength of zkSync Era is full EVM compatibility—developers can deploy Ethereum smart contracts directly without any code modifications. For projects seeking Layer 2 migration, this “plug-and-play” experience lowers technical barriers.

6. Scroll: Pursuer of High-Speed Transactions

Key Metrics

• TVL: $63.46M
• Launch Date: October 2023 (Cross-chain bridge deployment)

Scroll employs zk-SNARKs compression technology, executing transactions off-chain and aggregating them into a single ZK proof sent to Ethereum. Although it has not yet issued a native token, its focus on high throughput and low latency has attracted developer attention.

Scroll emphasizes EVM compatibility, allowing seamless migration of existing Ethereum smart contracts. Its target users are DeFi applications and high-volume trading scenarios sensitive to transaction costs, providing an efficient alternative to address this pain point.

7. Aztec Protocol: Innovation in Programmable Privacy

Launch Date: 2017

Aztec Protocol adopts a hybrid public-private ZK Rollup model, enabling smart contracts to operate both openly and privately while maintaining Ethereum’s security guarantees. Privacy is optional, opening doors for private transactions, anonymous voting, and other use cases.

The project’s programming language Noir significantly simplifies the development of zero-knowledge circuits, making ZK-based dApps feasible. Aztec’s ultimate goal is to fully decentralize all core components, adhering to Ethereum’s open-source, censorship-resistant, permissionless values.

8. ZKFair: Defender of Transaction Fairness

Key Metrics

• Native Token: ZKF (Market Cap: $163M)
• Launch Date: December 2023

ZKFair is a decentralized exchange (DEX) based on ZK Rollup, with a unique selling point of resisting front-running and transaction order manipulation. It processes off-chain transactions with zero-knowledge proofs and then batches them for submission to Ethereum, ensuring fairness in transaction execution.

For traders worried about their transactions being sniped by whales or bots, ZKFair offers a more equitable trading environment.

9. DeGate V1: Optimized Derivatives Trading Solution

Key Metrics

• Native Token: DG (Market Cap: $21.14M)
• Launch Date: September 2022

DeGate V1 leverages ZK Rollup technology, focusing on efficient and low-cost derivatives trading. It uses zero-knowledge proofs for off-chain batch processing, then submits transactions to Ethereum mainnet. This architecture is especially suitable for large trades requiring precise slippage control and cost management.

10. ZetaChain: Connector for Cross-Chain Interoperability

Key Metrics

• Market Cap: $80.96M (ZETA)
• Launch Date: February 2021

ZetaChain utilizes ZK Rollup technology to build a “universal cross-chain bridge,” enabling secure transfer of assets and data across different blockchains. It employs zk-SNARKs to verify the legitimacy of single-chain transactions without exposing sensitive information from other chains.

Its core innovation is “ZetaML”—a mechanism supporting off-chain execution of smart contracts. For dApps seeking multi-chain deployment, ZetaChain eliminates traditional cross-chain complexity.

11. Taiko: New Paradigm for Base Layer Authorization

Launch Date: January 2024 (Testnet)

Taiko employs zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (ZK-EVM) and ZK Rollup technology to build a fully Ethereum-compatible Layer 2 protocol. The project has raised $37M in two funding rounds.

Taiko’s technical breakthrough lies in its “based” ordering mechanism—transaction ordering managed by the Ethereum base layer rather than a centralized sequencer. This design addresses the issues of single points of failure or censorship in traditional Rollups. The “based” ordering simplifies the second-layer value chain and reduces trust requirements, making deployment easier for developers.

Practical Challenges Facing ZK Rollup Technology

Despite promising prospects, ZK Rollup still faces the following obstacles:

• Implementation Complexity: Deep cryptographic principles make system construction and maintenance challenging
• Application Limitations: Certain transaction types have limited processing efficiency; application scope has boundaries
• Data Availability: Rollup transaction data must be accessible, requiring robust data infrastructure
• Proof Generation Efficiency: Cryptographic proof computation can be resource-intensive and may become a bottleneck
• User Adoption: Widespread ecosystem acceptance and integration are needed; building user trust takes time
• Governance Complexity: Protocol upgrade decisions require efficient, decentralized, and secure mechanisms
• Economic Sustainability: Although aiming to reduce costs, operational complexity may impact long-term viability

Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond

The outlook for ZK Rollup is encouraging. Research institutions are overcoming complexity hurdles, and innovative solutions are addressing liquidity fragmentation. With ongoing R&D investment and ecosystem collaboration, ZK Rollup is poised to revolutionize Ethereum’s scalability ecosystem, ushering in a new era of high-speed, cost-effective, and secure blockchain applications.

This technological breakthrough not only unlocks Ethereum’s scalability potential but could also drive large-scale adoption across the entire blockchain industry, enabling users and institutions to truly experience the transformative power of this technology.

Related Extended Reading

• Introduction to Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP)
• 2024 Ethereum Layer 2 Project Overview
• Comparative Analysis of Layer 2 vs Layer 1 Scalability Solutions