The Future Battle of Ethereum Scalability: A 2025 Must-Watch Overview of zk-rollups Projects

As the leading technology for decentralized applications, Ethereum has always faced challenges such as high transaction fees and slow processing speeds. Although Ethereum 2.0 is being rolled out in phases, Layer 2 solutions have already demonstrated more immediate effects. Among many Layer 2 options, zk-rollups are gradually becoming the focus of market attention due to their unique technical advantages and security guarantees.

How zk-rollups Are Changing the Ethereum Ecosystem

zk-rollups reduce the mainnet burden by compressing multiple off-chain transactions into a single transaction. In simple terms, it’s like coordinating multiple vehicles on a busy street through alternative routes for efficient passage, while ensuring every step is verified.

The core of this system is zero-knowledge proof technology. It can verify the integrity of a batch of transactions without revealing any transaction details—similar to a bank confirming you have sufficient funds without seeing your specific deposits. These cryptographic proofs are extremely concise, significantly reducing data load on the mainnet and greatly increasing transaction speed.

How zk-rollups Work

1. On-chain rule definition: Smart contracts on the mainnet set the transaction rules for zk-rollups
2. Off-chain processing: Transactions are executed in an independent virtual machine, reducing costs and increasing speed
3. Proof generation: Cryptographic proofs are generated to verify the entire batch of transactions without revealing individual transaction details
4. On-chain verification: The proof is submitted to the mainnet, where validators confirm the integrity of off-chain transactions

This architecture greatly enhances transaction throughput, alleviates network congestion, and reduces user costs.

Advantages of zk-rollups Compared to Other Layer 2 Solutions

Compared to solutions like Optimistic Rollups, zk-rollups have the following core advantages:

• Immediate finality: Transactions are confirmed on-chain immediately after verification, without waiting for dispute periods, unlike Optimistic Rollups which require a 7-day challenge window
• Trustless security: Fully cryptography-based, not relying on honest validators’ economic incentives
• Privacy protection: Transaction details are hidden within proofs, offering higher privacy
• Quantum resistance: Some zk-rollups (e.g., based on STARKs) possess quantum-safe features

Notable zk-rollups Projects to Watch in 2025

Manta Network (Manta Pacific)

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $851 million
• Launch Date: September 2023 (Testnet)
• Native Token: MANTA (Circulating Market Cap: $33.74M)

Manta Pacific is a privacy-focused DeFi trading platform. It uses zk-SNARKs technology to ensure transaction privacy, allowing users to perform anonymous cryptocurrency exchanges. Since launch, it quickly became the fourth-largest Layer-2 network on Ethereum, surpassing several early projects.

Its unique advantage lies in its privacy-first design philosophy, which remains a rare feature among mainstream DeFi platforms.

Linea

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $202 million
• Launch Date: August 2023
• Native Token: LINEA (Circulating Market Cap: $107.32M)

Linea achieves batch verification and mainnet submission of transactions through zk-SNARKs technology. The platform emphasizes developer-friendliness, simplifying migration of Ethereum applications. Its scalability and transaction speed outperform competitors, providing higher throughput.

Polygon zkEVM

Key Metrics:

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

zkEVM is a core product of the Polygon ecosystem, offering an EVM-compatible zk-rollups solution. Developers can deploy Ethereum smart contracts directly without code modifications, which is crucial for ecosystem migration.

Starknet

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $170 million
• Launch Date: February 2022
• Native Token: STRK (Circulating Market Cap: $395.54M)

Starknet is based on STARKs technology—unlike zk-SNARKs, STARKs do not require trusted setup and are quantum-resistant. The platform supports general-purpose computation, capable of running any smart contract, with significant potential.

zkSync Era

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $555 million
• Release Date: March 2023 (Full-featured Mainnet)
• Native Token: ZKS

Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync Era is a leading zk-rollups project aimed at solving Ethereum’s high costs and low throughput. Its EVM compatibility allows developers to deploy existing smart contracts without rewriting code, making it one of the easiest migration options.

Scroll

Key Metrics:

• TVL: $63.46 million
• Release Date: October 2023 (Bridging functionality)
• Native Token: Not yet launched

Scroll focuses on high throughput and low latency, compressing transactions via zk-SNARKs. Its EVM-compatible design reduces developer learning curve, making it especially suitable for DeFi application migration.

Aztec Protocol

Launch Date: 2017
Native Token: Not yet launched

Aztec employs a hybrid public-private model supporting optional privacy. Its Noir programming language simplifies the development of zero-knowledge circuits, lowering the barrier for zk application development.

ZKFair

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

ZKFair is a decentralized exchange based on zk-rollups. Its core innovation is preventing front-running. By hiding transaction order through zero-knowledge proofs, it ensures fair execution—an important competitive advantage in the DEX space.

DeGate V1

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

DeGate V1 utilizes zk-rollups technology, focusing on low slippage and low costs for large transactions. The platform aims to become the most optimized decentralized exchange.

ZetaChain

Launch Date: February 2021
Native Token: ZETA (Circulating Market Cap: $80.72M)

ZetaChain pioneered zk-rollups-based cross-chain bridging technology, enabling secure and efficient communication between different blockchains. Its cross-chain capabilities open new possibilities for multi-chain dApps.

Taiko

Launch Date: January 2024 (Testnet)

Taiko stands out with its innovative zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine, fully compatible with the Ethereum ecosystem. Its biggest innovation is the “Layer 1-based” sequencer—driven by the main chain rather than a centralized entity—effectively addressing single point of failure risks in Rollups. Taiko has raised $37 million in funding, demonstrating strong development momentum.

Challenges Facing zk-rollups

Despite promising prospects, zk-rollups still face several challenges:

• Technical complexity: Advanced cryptography implementation and maintenance are difficult
• Application flexibility: Some transaction types have limited processing efficiency
• Data availability: Ongoing maintenance of transaction data related to Rollups is required
• Proof generation costs: Cryptographic proof computations are resource-intensive
• User adoption: Broad ecosystem support and infrastructure development are needed
• Governance models: Protocol upgrade decisions must balance decentralization and efficiency
• Economic viability: Operating costs may impact expected returns

Future Opportunities for zk-rollups

zk-rollups technology is rapidly evolving. Current R&D focuses on simplifying complexity, strengthening integration with Ethereum, and overcoming liquidity fragmentation. With deeper ecosystem collaboration, zk-rollups are poised to reshape Ethereum’s scalability landscape.

Summary

zk-rollups are becoming a key infrastructure for Ethereum’s future. By efficiently processing transactions off-chain while ensuring security and data integrity, this technology paves the way for faster, cheaper, and more secure blockchain applications.

As more innovative projects emerge and technology matures, zk-rollups have the potential to unlock the full potential of blockchain technology, drive large-scale adoption of blockchain applications, empower individuals, and redefine our interaction with the digital world.