What is Rollup? Understanding Ethereum's Scaling Solution with ZKsync

One of the biggest issues with blockchain technology is transaction speed and costs. Although Ethereum is powerful, during network congestion, gas fees can skyrocket to astronomical levels. This is where rollup technology comes into play. Rollup is a Layer 2 solution that processes Ethereum transactions off-chain and writes the results to the main chain, increasing speed by up to 100 times while reducing costs by 90%. ZKsync, as one of the most advanced implementations of this rollup technology, uses zero-knowledge proofs to dramatically increase transaction capacity without compromising security.

How ZKsync Works Based on Rollup Technology

ZKsync is fundamentally a rollup protocol—it processes transactions off the Ethereum mainnet and periodically submits the results to the main chain. Its key difference from other rollups is that it performs validation using “zero-knowledge proofs,” a transparent cryptographic method.

Simply put: ZKsync provides a mathematical proof that all transactions are valid without revealing any details to the Ethereum mainnet. Because this proof is small and quick to verify, thousands of transactions can be compressed into a single proof and sent to the main chain. As a result:

• Speed increase: up to 100,000 transactions per second
• Cost reduction: transaction fees below $0.01
• Security preservation: cryptographic security of the Ethereum mainnet remains intact

Current data shows that ZKsync ranks 7th among Ethereum Layer-2 networks, with a mysterious market cap of $177.09M, playing a strong role in the DeFi ecosystem.

On-Chain and Off-Chain Components of Rollups

ZKsync’s architecture consists of two main layers:

Off-Chain Layer: All transactions are processed outside the Ethereum mainnet. Virtual machines process transactions rapidly and bundle them into batches. This prevents the main chain from handling individual transaction loads.

On-Chain Layer: The bundled transactions and their zero-knowledge proofs are sent to the Ethereum mainnet. Smart contracts verify these proofs and approve the transaction batch. The core of rollup technology lies in the synchronization of these two layers.

Zero-Knowledge Rollups vs. Optimistic Rollups: A Comparison

Ethereum has two main Layer-2 solutions: ZK-Rollups (ZKsync, Starknet, Polygon zkEVM) and Optimistic Rollups (Base, Blast, Optimism).

Advantages of ZK-Rollups: Since each transaction is mathematically proven, they are finalized immediately. Withdrawal processes complete within hours.

Advantages of Optimistic Rollups: Easier to implement, more accessible to developers. Existing EVM dApps can be migrated with fewer changes.

The choice depends entirely on project requirements: if security is critical, ZK-Rollup; if rapid development is preferred, Optimistic.

Practical Benefits of ZKsync: Speed, Cost, and Security

1. Transaction Capacity and Speed

Using ZKsync’s rollup architecture, it can process up to 100,000 transactions per second—25 times faster than Ethereum mainnet. Heavy DeFi transactions, NFT purchases, or stablecoin transfers now happen within milliseconds.

2. Impressive Cost Savings

A simple ERC-20 transfer on Ethereum mainnet can cost between $5-50, while on ZKsync, it drops to $0.01. This 100-5000x cost advantage makes it ideal for DeFi protocols, payment platforms, and gaming.

3. Ethereum-Level Security

Because ZKsync verifies all transactions with mathematical proofs, it relies on cryptographic security. It offers protection equivalent to Ethereum’s protocol security. In contrast, Optimistic Rollups depend on active validators and are more vulnerable to censorship.

4. EVM Compatibility and Developer-Friendly

ZKsync is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Developers can mostly port existing Solidity code without major modifications. This ease accelerates ecosystem growth.

5. User Experience Innovations

ZKsync supports features like meta-transactions and account abstraction, allowing users to pay transaction fees with any ERC-20 token, removing the need to hold ETH for gas.

ZKsync vs. Other Layer-2 Networks: An In-Depth Comparison

ZKsync vs. Base (Coinbase Layer-2)

Base: Uses Optimistic Rollup technology, boosted by Coinbase integration. It has a TVL of $7.14B, offering large liquidity pools. However, finality takes 7 days, and speed is limited to 4,000 TPS.

ZKsync: Despite a lower TVL of $177.09M, it offers 25 times higher speed (100,000 TPS) with instant finality. More suitable for applications requiring higher security.

ZKsync vs. Starknet

Starknet: Uses Cairo programming language and STARK proofs. Theoretically capable of millions of transactions per second, but has a steep learning curve for developers.

ZKsync: Uses SNARKs, with EVM compatibility, making it much more accessible for Ethereum developers.

ZKsync vs. Scroll, Polygon zkEVM

While all ZK-Rollups operate on similar principles:

• Scroll: Focuses on maximal EVM equivalence (very strict)
• Polygon zkEVM: Integrates deeply with the Polygon ecosystem
• ZKsync: Prioritizes speed and scalability

ZK Token Airdrop: Complete Guide and Earning Strategies

In June 2024, ZKsync launched the largest Ethereum Layer-2 airdrop campaign. About 695,232 wallets qualified, and distribution was as follows:

• 89%: Active users
• 11%: Ecosystem contributors

Each eligible wallet received between 450 and 100,000 ZK tokens. During the claim period from June 16, 2024, to January 3, 2025, 45% of the airdropped tokens were claimed in the first week.

How to Qualify for ZK Token Claims?

Snapshot: taken on March 24, 2024. Wallets that performed any of the following activities qualified:

• Conducted transactions on ZKsync mainnet
• Contributed to liquidity pools
• Participated in DeFi protocols
• Swapped tokens
• Supported community events

Token Claim Steps

1. Visit the ZKsync Claim page (on the official website)
2. Connect your MetaMask or other Ethereum wallet
3. If eligible, see your allocated ZK amount
4. Click Claim Token
5. Once completed, tokens will appear immediately in your wallet (no lock-up)

Maximize Benefits from the Airdrop

Governance Delegation: Delegate your ZK tokens to influence ZKsync protocol decisions. This can also increase your chances of qualifying for future airdrops.

Stay Active: Regular transactions, adding liquidity, and participating in DeFi can improve your eligibility for upcoming campaigns.

Follow Updates: Keep an eye on ZKsync Twitter and ZK Nation Discord for new tasks and rewards.

How to Bridge Assets to ZKsync: Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring assets from Ethereum mainnet to ZKsync takes just a few minutes. Here’s the safest method:

1. Use the Official Bridge Portal

• Go to the ZKsync Portal page
• Click Connect Wallet
• Choose MetaMask and approve
• Select the asset you want to transfer (ETH, USDC, etc.)
• Enter the amount and confirm the transaction

2. Add ZKsync Network to MetaMask

To simplify:

• Open MetaMask → “Add Network” → Custom RPC
• Network Name: ZKsync Era
• RPC URL: https://mainnet.era.zksync.io
• Chain ID: 324

3. Security Tips

Challenges and Risks of ZKsync Layer-2

Despite its advantages, ZKsync has some limitations:

1. Technical Complexity

Generating and verifying zero-knowledge proofs requires advanced mathematics. Provers (proof generators) are costly and need specialized hardware, which can hinder scalability.

2. Liquidity Fragmentation

Assets are split between Layer-1 and Layer-2, leading to dispersed liquidity. Some tokens may lack sufficient liquidity on ZKsync, increasing slippage.

3. Still in Early Development

ZKsync, like many rollups, is actively evolving. It’s not yet fully production-ready, and unforeseen issues may arise.

4. EVM Compatibility Limitations

ZKsync is not fully EVM-compatible—an intermediate compilation step is needed, and some complex smart contracts may not migrate smoothly.

Conclusion: The Future of ZKsync and Ethereum

ZKsync stands out as one of the most advanced examples of rollup technology, offering solutions that reshape Ethereum for today’s demands—scaling capacity while maintaining security through zero-knowledge proofs.

As of 2026:

• ZK Price: $0.02 (down from ATH of $0.37)
• Market Cap: $177.09M
• 24h Change: +1.15%

With Ethereum 2.0 upgrades and sharding ongoing, rollups like ZKsync will significantly boost network efficiency. The synergy of these solutions promises a blockchain ecosystem that is truly decentralized, fast, and affordable.

DeFi protocols, payment platforms, gaming, and NFT marketplaces—all have immense potential to be transformed by rollup technology. ZKsync is leading this revolution.