ZKsync, a leading Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, has announced plans to sunset its pioneering ZK Rollup, ZKsync Lite (formerly ZKsync 1.0), in 2026. This strategic move marks a significant evolution for the platform, shifting focus entirely to its next-generation technologies.
The ZKsync team assured users that this transition is a “planned, controlled, and orderly” process, explicitly stating it will not impact any other ZKsync systems. Further details, including a comprehensive timetable and migration guidelines, are expected to be unveiled next year, providing ample time for users to transition their assets.
📌In 2026, we plan to deprecate ZKsync Lite (aka ZKsync 1.0), the original ZK-rollup we launched on Ethereum.
This is a planned, orderly sunset for a system that has served its purpose and does not affect any other ZKsync systems.
— ZKsync (@zksync) December 7, 2025
Launched in June 2020, ZKsync Lite marked a significant milestone as ZKsync’s inaugural ZK Rollup on Ethereum. It was conceived as a dedicated Layer 2 scaling solution for payments, facilitating token transfers, atomic swaps, and NFT minting. However, its design, which notably lacked support for smart contracts, meant its capabilities were eventually surpassed by more advanced ZK Rollup architectures that emerged later.
Despite these limitations, ZKsync Lite played a crucial role as a vital proving ground for zero-knowledge proof technology on Ethereum. ZKsync officially stated:
ZKsync Lite was a groundbreaking proof-of-concept, successfully demonstrating key ideas for building production-grade ZK systems. It has completed its mission: proving the technical feasibility and paving the way for the next generation of technology.
While ZKsync Lite’s daily transaction volume has dwindled to fewer than 200, as reported by L2BEAT data, it still secures approximately $50 million in user assets. ZKsync has unequivocally assured its community that all user assets remain safe and accessible, with withdrawals to Layer 1 continuing to operate without interruption.
This planned deprecation aligns with Matter Labs’ strategic shift, which saw the development company behind ZKsync cease active development on the Lite version in March 2023. Their focus pivoted entirely to ZKsync Era, a robust zkEVM (zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine) designed to execute arbitrary smart contracts. This advanced platform empowers developers to seamlessly migrate existing applications, offering unparalleled scalability without compromising Ethereum’s foundational security.
ZKsync reiterates that the sunsetting of ZKsync Lite will have no bearing on its other innovative product lines. The organization remains committed to advancing the modular blockchain framework ZK Stack, developing the enterprise-grade privacy chain Prividiums, and fostering the growth of the broader ZKsync network ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This article is for market information purposes only. All content and views are for reference only and do not constitute investment advice. They do not represent the views and positions of BlockTempo. Investors should make their own decisions and trades, and the author and BlockTempo will not bear any responsibility for direct or indirect losses resulting from investor transactions.
