ZKsync to deprecate ZKsync Lite in 2026, sunsetting Ethereum’s first ZK rollup
ZKsync announced Sunday that it plans to deprecate ZKsync Lite, the original zero-knowledge rollup it launched on Ethereum in 2020, at some point next year."This is a planned, orderly sunset for a system that has served its purpose and does not affect any other ZKsync systems," ZKsync said in a post on X. The team said it would share concrete details, dates, and migration guidance in the coming year.ZKsync Lite, originally called ZKsync 1.0, went live in June 2020 as a payments-focused Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. The network supported token transfers, atomic swaps, and NFT minting, but lacked smart contract functionality, a limitation that constrained its utility compared to later rollup designs.The protocol served as a proving ground for zero-knowledge technology on Ethereum. "ZKsync Lite was a ground breaking proof-of-concept and validated critical ideas related to building production ZK systems," ZKsync said. "It did its job: prove what's possible and pave the way for the next generation."According to L2BEAT data, approximately $50 million in user funds remain bridged to ZKsync Lite, though the network now processes fewer than 200 daily operations. "Funds remain safe, and withdrawals to L1 will keep working through the process," ZKsync said. Matter Labs, the company behind ZKsync, halted active development on ZKsync Lite in March 2023 when it launched ZKsync Era, a full-featured zkEVM capable of running arbitrary smart contracts. The Block reported at the time that Era represented the "Holy Grail of scaling Ethereum" by enabling developers to port existing applications without sacrificing security.ZKsync emphasized that the deprecation does not affect its other products. "The next steps belong to systems built with the ZK Stack, Prividiums, and the broader ZKsync network," the team said, referencing its modular blockchain framework and enterprise-focused privacy chains. The announcement comes as ZKsync navigates a challenging period. The network recently sunset its Ignite liquidity rewards program citing bearish market conditions, and the Aave DAO is considering deprecating its deployment on ZKsync Era due to low revenue generation.Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.