ZK Rollup on Ethereum: The Second Layer Solutions Landscape for 2025

Why ZK Rollup Became a Priority for Ethereum Scaling

Ethereum remains the leading platform for decentralized applications but has faced a critical issue — as the number of users grows, the network becomes congested. Gas fees skyrocket, confirmation times slow down. While Ethereum 2.0 is gradually being implemented, Layer 2 solutions have proven to be a more practical and faster way to increase throughput.

This is where ZK Rollup comes into play — solutions that promise to unlock Ethereum’s true potential through unprecedented efficiency and cryptographic security.

How ZK Rollup Works: The Technology Explained

ZK Rollup is a Layer 2 scaling solution that aggregates multiple transactions into a single compact cryptographic proof. Imagine a busy city: if the main Ethereum network is like congested streets, then ZK Rollup functions as high-speed bypass routes, processing transactions off the main chain but guaranteeing their validity.

The secret lies in using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) — cryptographic tools that allow one to prove the correctness of a set of operations without revealing their details. These proofs are incredibly concise, significantly reducing the load on the main network.

How it works in practice:

1. Smart contracts on the main chain set rules for ZK Rollup
2. Transactions are executed in an external virtual machine, drastically reducing costs
3. A cryptographic proof of the correctness of the entire batch of operations is generated
4. The proof is sent to Ethereum, validators verify it, and the transactions are finalized

Result: throughput increases by dozens of times, fees decrease, and security remains intact.

Competitive Advantages of ZK Rollup Over Other Layer 2 Solutions

The main competitor to ZK Rollup is Optimistic Rollup, which operates on an opposite principle. Optimistic assumes transactions are valid by default and only verifies them if a dispute arises — (the challenge period can last a week).

ZK Rollup cryptographically verifies each operation:

ZK Rollup does not require trust in intermediaries — security is ensured by pure mathematics.

Leading ZK Rollup Projects on Ethereum

( Maximum privacy and DeFi focus

Manta Network )Manta Pacific###

• Current market cap of MANTA: $34.00M
• Launch: September 2023
• Token: MANTA (Governance, staking, fees)

Manta Network specializes in confidential transactions in DeFi. Using zk-SNARKs, the platform allows users to trade cryptocurrencies privately — assets and amounts remain encrypted but verifiable. Shortly after launch, Manta surpassed competitors and became one of the largest Layer 2 solutions by locked assets volume.

Uniqueness: focus on privacy — a feature often missing on other DeFi platforms. Manta positions itself as a privacy layer for all decentralized applications across various blockchains.

( Balancing scalability and EVM compatibility

Linea

• Current market cap of LINEA: $107.94M
• Launch: August 2023
• Token: LINEA )Purpose in development###

Linea uses zk-SNARKs for compression and validation of operations off the main chain. The project announced an airdrop of its native token in January 2024, although the full token utility is still in development.

Linea’s main focus is on ease of integration for developers. The goal: enable them to deploy Ethereum applications faster than on other platforms without rewriting code.

Polygon zkEVM

• TVL: (Millions
• Launch: March 2023 )Mainnet beta$115
• Token: MATIC

Polygon zkEVM processes operations off-chain within an environment compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, then confirms them on-chain via ZK proofs. This ensures full compatibility with existing smart contracts and Ethereum ecosystem tools.

Advantage: developers can migrate from Ethereum without rewriting code. Additionally, the project benefits from network effects of the broader Polygon ecosystem.

( Revolutionary cryptography approaches

StarkNet

• Current market cap of STRK: $397.32M
• Launch: February 2022
• Token: STRK )Fees, governance, staking###

StarkNet is built on STARKs — a fundamentally different type of zero-knowledge proof. Unlike zk-SNARKs, STARKs do not require trusted setup and are resistant to quantum attacks.

The platform processes and verifies operations off-chain using STARKs, then publishes proofs on Ethereum. Support for universal computations means it can handle any smart contract.

Difference: STARKs provide enhanced security without the need for trusted infrastructure, making the system more decentralized.

zkSync Era

• TVL: (Millions
• Launch: March 2023 )Full mainnet launch$555
• Token: ZKS

Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync Era uses a classic zkRollup approach but with a focus on absolute EVM compatibility. All existing Ethereum smart contracts work directly without modifications.

Advantage: zkSync Era processes operations off-chain, groups them into a single proof, and submits it to Ethereum. The result is low fees and high throughput with full security.

Scroll

• TVL: $63.46 million
• Launch: October 2023 (Bridge deployment)
• Token: Planned

Scroll uses zk-SNARKs to compress operations and emphasizes EVM compatibility. For those wanting to migrate applications from Ethereum to Layer 2 in minutes, Scroll offers nearly frictionless experience.

Focus: high throughput with minimal latency. Critical for DeFi applications and high-traffic services.

( Privacy built into the protocol

Aztec Protocol

• Launch: 2017
• Token: Planned native token

Aztec offers a hybrid model: operations can be either public or private at the developer’s choice. Private trading, anonymous voting, confidential smart contracts — all made possible by the integrated ZK architecture.

Key tool: Noir — a programming language for developing zero-knowledge circuits. It simplifies creating private dApps and makes ZK logic accessible to developers without deep cryptography expertise.

Goal: full decentralization of all components at mainnet launch, adhering to Ethereum principles )Open source, censorship-resistant, permissionless###.

( Protection against front-running

ZKFair

• Launch: December 2023
• Token: ZKF
• ZKF Market cap: )Millions

ZKFair is a decentralized exchange ###DEX$163 built on ZK Rollup, specializing in fair trade execution. Using zero-knowledge proofs, the platform prevents front-running — manipulation of transaction order that bypasses regular traders.

Uniqueness: resistance to manipulation is not just a feature but a core philosophy of the platform. For traders concerned about fairness on decentralized exchanges, this is a critical advantage.

( Specialized applications

DeGate V1

• Launch: September 2022
• Token: DG
• DG Market cap: $21.14 million

DeGate V1 is designed as a decentralized exchange optimized for minimal slippage and low costs on large trades. ZK Rollup technology reduces operation costs, increases throughput, and maintains security.

ZetaChain

• Launch: February 2021
• Current market cap of ZETA: $81.08M
• Token: ZETA

ZetaChain is pioneering the creation of universal bridges between blockchains. Using zk-SNARKs, the platform verifies transaction validity within one network without revealing sensitive data in another. This enables seamless asset and data transfer across different ecosystems.

Innovation: the unique “ZetaML” technology for executing smart contracts off-chain, opening new possibilities for cross-chain dApps.

) Decentralized approach to ordering

Taiko

• Launch: January 2024 ###Testnet###
• Funding: (Millions

Taiko employs an innovative approach — based sequencing, where transaction ordering is managed by the Layer 1 )Ethereum$37 itself, rather than a centralized entity.

Advantage: solves the classic problem of rollup architectures where a centralized sequencer can become a single point of failure or censorship. “Based” sequencing simplifies architecture, reduces trust assumptions, and paves the way for a more decentralized Layer 2 ecosystem.

Taiko is fully compatible with Ethereum, allowing existing applications to be deployed without modifications.

Challenges Facing ZK Rollup

Despite their potential, ZK Rollup face real obstacles:

• Cryptographic complexity: implementation requires deep understanding of advanced mathematics and cryptography, limiting the number of teams capable of developing these solutions
• Strict operation type restrictions: not all smart contract types are efficiently translatable into ZK circuits; developers often need to rewrite logic
• Data management: availability and reliable storage of transaction data is a critical issue requiring infrastructure investments
• Cost of proofs: generating cryptographic proofs demands significant computational resources, which is more economical only under high load
• Fragmentation: the multitude of different ZK Rollup solutions creates liquidity and cross-chain usability issues
• Management complexity: decentralized decision-making for protocol upgrades requires effective governance models

The Future of ZK Rollup: Trends and Opportunities

Despite challenges, ZK Rollup development accelerates. Research groups worldwide are simplifying cryptography complexity, new programming languages (like Noir in Aztec) lower entry barriers, and innovative architectures (like based sequencing in Taiko) address decentralization issues.

With sustained growth and collaboration among projects, ZK Rollup has the potential to revolutionize not only Ethereum but the entire blockchain industry. The vision: high-speed, cost-effective, cryptographically secure applications that form the foundation for mass adoption of blockchain technology.

Final Outlook on ZK Rollup

ZK Rollup is more than just a scaling solution. It’s a rethinking of how blockchain systems can operate: processing operations off the main chain while maintaining security, privacy, and data integrity.

The Ethereum ZK Rollup ecosystem already includes dozens of projects, each with its unique value — from privacy (Manta, Aztec) to cross-chain functionality (ZetaChain), to fair execution (ZKFair), and decentralized ordering (Taiko).

Unlocking the full potential of ZK Rollup will usher in a new era of blockchain applications, where scalability limitations become history, and the possibilities for innovation are virtually limitless.