ZK Rollup: The future of Ethereum's second layer lies in these 11 projects

The Capacity Expansion Dilemma of Ethereum and the Rise of ZK Rollup

As the infrastructure for decentralized applications, Ethereum faces a fundamental challenge— as user numbers grow, network congestion causes gas fees to skyrocket and transaction speeds to slow down. Although Ethereum 2.0 upgrades are underway, the process is lengthy and complex. The real solution to scaling issues comes from Layer 2( solutions, exemplified by ZK Rollup.

These solutions process transactions in batches off-chain, then use cryptographic proofs to submit the results back to the mainnet, ensuring security while significantly reducing costs and latency. Among many Layer 2 solutions, ZK Rollup, with its innovative zero-knowledge proof technology, is becoming the most promising scaling direction.

How ZK Rollup Works: The Perfect Combination of Cryptography and Efficiency

) What is Zero-Knowledge Proof?

The core of ZK Rollup is zero-knowledge proofs, a cryptographic tool that can prove the truth of a statement without revealing any specific information. Using this technology, a batch of off-chain transactions can be “compressed” into a concise cryptographic proof, which is then uploaded to Ethereum.

This process has three key features: completeness (proof is indeed valid), soundness (no false proof can pass), and zero-knowledge (no specific data is exposed).

The Complete Process from Off-Chain to On-Chain

1. Mainnet smart contract sets rules — Contracts on Ethereum define validation standards and state management rules for ZK Rollup
2. Off-chain virtual machine processes transactions — Large volumes of transactions are executed off-chain at low cost and high speed
3. Generate cryptographic proof — The entire batch of transactions is transformed into a mathematical proof demonstrating their validity
4. Mainnet validation and confirmation — The proof is sent back to Ethereum, validated by nodes, and officially confirmed

This architecture allows throughput to increase by 10-100 times under the same security guarantees.

Advantages of ZK Rollup Compared to Other Layer 2 Solutions

Optimistic Rollup adopts a “trust first” model, requiring a dispute period before final confirmation; whereas ZK Rollup verifies each transaction with cryptography, offering the following advantages:

• Instant finality — No need to wait; once the proof is validated, it is permanently confirmed
• Trustless — Does not rely on the honesty of validators but on mathematical guarantees
• Stronger privacy — Transaction details are fully hidden within the proof
• Higher security — Cryptographic guarantees prevent tampering or deception

The trade-off is higher technical complexity, but this is where innovation adds value.

The 11 Most Promising ZK Rollup Projects to Watch in 2025

1. Manta Network ###Manta Pacific( — Leader in Privacy DeFi

Key Metrics

• TVL: $851 million (Top five in Ethereum Layer 2)
• Launch Date: September 2023
• Native Token: MANTA ($0.07, +0.36% in 24h)

Manta Pacific has set a new benchmark in privacy DeFi. It uses zk-SNARKs technology to provide users with fully private transaction environments—assets and exchange information are encrypted but still verifiable as valid.

This “privacy and proof” feature fills a gap in the DeFi ecosystem. Within just a few months of launch, it surpassed Coinbase’s Base and became the fourth-largest network in Ethereum Layer 2, demonstrating the market’s urgent demand for privacy DeFi.

) 2. Linea — Balancing Speed and Usability

Key Metrics

• TVL: $202 million
• Launch Date: August 2023
• Native Token: LINEA ($0.01, +1.56% in 24h)

Linea focuses on two goals: ultra-fast transaction processing and developer friendliness. It compresses off-chain transactions with zk-SNARKs and submits a single proof to the mainnet. This process places Linea at the forefront of Layer 2 throughput.

In January 2024, Linea announced a token airdrop plan, though details are yet to be disclosed. This indicates ecosystem incentives are about to launch. For developers, Linea emphasizes migration convenience, enabling quick deployment of projects within the Ethereum ecosystem.

3. Starknet — Defender in the Quantum Era

Key Metrics

• TVL: $170 million
• Launch Date: February 2022
• Native Token: STRK ($0.08, -1.91% in 24h)

Unlike zk-SNARKs, Starknet uses STARKs (Scalable Transparent ARguments of Knowledge). Its advantages include no trusted setup, quantum resistance, auditability, and high transparency.

Starknet supports general-purpose computing, meaning any type of smart contract can run on it. In the long term, the quantum-resistant features of STARKs make it one of the most secure solutions for the future.

4. Polygon zkEVM — The Ecosystem Connector

Key Metrics

• TVL: $115 million
• Launch Date: March 2023
• Native Token: MATIC (for governance and gas fees)

As part of the Polygon ecosystem, zkEVM offers full EVM compatibility, allowing developers to migrate existing Ethereum smart contracts with zero modifications.

This “plug-and-play” approach greatly reduces migration costs while enabling the performance benefits of Layer 2. The network effects within the Polygon ecosystem further enhance zkEVM’s appeal.

5. zkSync Era — User Experience Optimizer

Key Metrics

• TVL: $555 million
• Launch Date: March 2023
• Native Token: ZKS (for gas, governance, staking)

Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync Era focuses heavily on user experience. It maintains Ethereum compatibility while achieving extremely low gas fees and high throughput through ZK technology.

Its key feature is full EVM compatibility—developers can deploy existing contracts without code modifications. For teams seeking to migrate to Layer 2 while maintaining development efficiency, zkSync Era is the most convenient choice.

6. Scroll — Pursuer of High Throughput

Key Metrics

• TVL: $63.46 million
• Launch Date: October 2023
• Native Token: Not yet issued

Scroll aims to achieve maximum throughput while keeping costs low. It uses zk-SNARKs to compress transactions and verifies entire batches with a single proof.

Its fully EVM-compatible environment allows seamless migration of Ethereum applications, especially valuable for DeFi or NFT projects requiring extensive on-chain interactions.

7. Aztec Protocol — Privacy Pioneer

Key Metrics

• Launch Date: 2017
• Native Token: None
• Feature: Noir programming language

Aztec employs a unique hybrid model of public and private transactions—some logic is executed openly, others privately, combining the best of both worlds. It developed its own Noir language to facilitate ZK application development.

From private transactions to anonymous voting, Aztec offers new possibilities for privacy-focused applications. It is committed to fully decentralized governance, adhering to Ethereum’s open-source and censorship-resistant ethos.

8. ZKFair — Guardian of Transaction Fairness

Key Metrics

• Launch Date: December 2023
• Native Token: ZKF ($163 million market cap)
• Feature: Resistance to MEV attacks

ZKFair operates as a DEX with a key advantage: complete resistance to front-running attacks. It uses ZK technology to hide transaction details until the final moment, fundamentally eliminating MEV extraction.

For traders who prioritize transaction fairness, ZKFair represents a new paradigm—achieving fair trading in a fully decentralized environment.

9. DeGate V1 — Low-Slippage DEX Solution

Key Metrics

• Launch Date: September 2022
• Native Token: DG ($21.14 million market cap)
• Feature: Minimal slippage

DeGate V1 uses ZK Rollup technology to optimize DEX experience, especially for large trades with extremely low slippage. Traditional DEXs suffer from dispersed liquidity causing high slippage on big trades, but ZK Rollup’s batch processing solves this problem effectively.

10. ZetaChain — Cross-Chain Hub

Key Metrics

• Launch Date: February 2021
• Native Token: ZETA ($0.07, -1.23% in 24h)
• Feature: Universal cross-chain protocol

ZetaChain employs ZK technology to build a “universal bridge,” enabling secure and efficient transfer of assets and data across different blockchains. It verifies transactions on one chain with zk-SNARKs without exposing details on other chains.

This architecture is especially suitable for multi-chain interoperability applications—such as cross-chain lending, derivatives, and more.

11. Taiko — Decentralized Sequencing Innovator

Key Metrics

• Launch Date: January 2024 (Testnet)
• Funding: $37 million
• Feature: “Based” ordering mechanism

Taiko’s most innovative aspect is its sequencing model—transactions are not packaged by a centralized sequencer but by the Ethereum mainnet itself. This fundamentally eliminates the potential attack surface of “centralized sequencers” in Layer 2.

Full EVM compatibility allows seamless migration of existing applications, while decentralized sequencing reduces trust assumptions. This design is especially attractive to developers seeking maximum decentralization.

Challenges Facing ZK Rollup

Despite promising prospects, ZK Rollup still faces several hurdles:

• Implementation complexity — Zero-knowledge proofs involve advanced cryptography, raising the technical barrier
• Functionality limitations — Some on-chain operations are difficult to implement efficiently within ZK frameworks
• Data availability — Ensuring rollup data can be retrieved and verified
• Proof generation efficiency — Creating cryptographic proofs is energy-intensive; optimization opportunities remain
• Ecosystem adoption — Requires comprehensive support from users, developers, and infrastructure

The Coming Explosion of the ZK Rollup Ecosystem

Currently, ZK Rollup has moved from concept validation to practical application. As technology matures, cross-chain integration deepens, and user education advances, these solutions are poised to become mainstream Ethereum scaling options.

Over $1 billion in capital has already been invested, with hundreds of projects building on ZK Rollup. From payments to lending, trading to gaming, the application scenarios are expanding continuously. This is not only an opportunity for Ethereum but also a step forward for the entire blockchain industry toward efficiency, affordability, and security.

Summary

ZK Rollup represents the next stage of blockchain scaling—maintaining security and decentralization without compromise, using mathematics rather than assumptions to ensure system integrity. From Manta’s privacy DeFi to Taiko’s decentralized sequencing, each project is innovating on this foundation.

2025 will be a critical year to validate the real value of these innovations. Those that truly address user pain points and enable industry-level applications will stand out as the pillars of the next-generation infrastructure.