Top ZK-Rollup Projects in the Ethereum Ecosystem 2025

Ethereum continues to assert its leading position in the blockchain ecosystem, with millions of decentralized applications (dApps) deployed daily. However, as user numbers surge, scalability issues and high transaction fees are becoming increasingly urgent. Therefore, Layer-2 solutions, especially ZK-rollup projects, are emerging as a beacon of hope to address these challenges in 2025.

Why ZK Rollups Have Become a Priority for the Ethereum Ecosystem

Ethereum 2.0 is being rolled out gradually, but Layer-2 solutions offer faster and more efficient results. Specifically, ZK-rollup networks not only reduce gas fees but also increase transaction processing speeds by dozens of times compared to the Ethereum mainnet.

ZK Rollups stand out from other Layer-2 solutions like Optimistic Rollups because they provide robust security through advanced cryptography while maintaining full compatibility with Ethereum. Moreover, ZK-rollup projects are expected to be the key to unlocking Ethereum’s full potential in its next phase of development.

Understanding ZK Rollup Technology: How It Works

Basic Concept of ZK Rollups

ZK Rollups are a type of Layer-2 solution designed to increase transaction throughput on the Ethereum blockchain. Instead of processing each transaction individually, ZK-rollup networks aggregate hundreds or even thousands of transactions into a single batch, significantly reducing the load on the main network.

To illustrate, imagine a passenger transportation system. Instead of each passenger traveling in a separate vehicle (equivalent to each transaction), ZK-rollup networks are like large buses carrying many passengers, greatly reducing traffic congestion.

Zero-Knowledge Proof Technology (ZKP)

At the core of ZK Rollups is Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, a complex but highly effective cryptographic tool. ZKP allows proving the validity of a set of transactions without revealing specific details about each transaction.

For example, you can prove that you are over 18 without revealing your exact date of birth. Similarly, ZK-rollup can prove the validity of hundreds of transactions through a small cryptographic proof, reducing the data stored on the main blockchain from megabytes to kilobytes.

The fundamental properties of ZKP include:

• Completeness: If the transaction set is valid, the proof will always be accepted
• Soundness: It’s impossible to generate a valid proof for an invalid transaction set
• Zero-Knowledge: The proof reveals no information other than the validity of the transactions

Detailed Mechanism of ZK Rollups

ZK-rollup networks operate through coordination among three main components:

1. On-Chain Smart Contracts
Smart contracts deployed on the Ethereum mainnet act as “gatekeepers.” They define rules for transactions within the ZK-rollup, manage validations, and store critical data to ensure integrity.

2. Off-Chain Virtual Machine (Off-Chain VM)
Most transactions occur off-chain within a separate virtual machine environment. This approach significantly increases processing speed while minimizing transaction fees. Validators on the ZK-rollup network execute these transactions.

3. Generating and Verifying Zero-Knowledge Proofs
After processing a batch of transactions, validators generate a cryptographic proof demonstrating the batch’s validity. This proof is then submitted to the Ethereum mainnet.

4. On-Chain Verification
Ethereum validators verify the proof. If valid, all transactions in that batch are confirmed, and transaction data is stored on the blockchain. This process is quick because only a single proof needs to be verified instead of each individual transaction.

Thanks to this architecture, ZK-rollup networks achieve transaction throughput 100-1000 times higher than the Ethereum mainnet while maintaining similar security levels.

Core Benefits of ZK Rollup Networks

1. Exceptional Scalability

This is the biggest advantage. By bundling hundreds of transactions into one, ZK-rollup networks can process millions of transactions per second (compared to about 30 on Ethereum currently). This enables large-scale dApps that were previously unimaginable.

2. Drastically Reduced Transaction Fees

Since on-chain data is significantly minimized, gas fees decrease accordingly. While transaction fees on the Ethereum mainnet can reach several dollars, ZK-rollups can cost just a few cents or even be negligible.

3. Strong Security via Cryptography

Unlike other Layer-2 solutions that rely on assumptions of honesty, ZK-rollups use cryptographic mathematics to prove validity. This means security is guaranteed by mathematics, independent of any third party.

4. High Compatibility

ZK-rollup networks retain data on the Ethereum mainnet, ensuring full compatibility with existing smart contracts and dApps on Ethereum. Users can easily transfer assets between Ethereum mainnet and ZK-rollup networks.

5. Environmentally Friendly

With increased processing speeds and lower gas fees, energy consumption per transaction is significantly reduced, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Leading ZK-Rollup Projects in 2025

The ZK-rollup ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with dozens of new projects launching and existing ones continuously improving. Here are some notable ZK-rollup projects to watch:

Manta Network (Manta Pacific): Privacy-Focused ZK-Rollup Platform

Basic Information:

• Project Name: Manta Pacific
• Solution Type: ZK-rollup initially built on Polkadot, later expanding into its own ecosystem
• Total Value Locked (TVL): Approximately $851 million at the time of reporting
• Launch Date: September 2023 (Testnet), with Mainnet release following
• Native Token: MANTA — used for governance, staking, and transaction fees

Manta Network stands out for its focus on privacy combined with ZK-rollup technology. The project not only optimizes speed and fees but also offers advanced security features, making it ideal for privacy-sensitive applications like DeFi, NFTs, and financial services.

In 2025, Manta Network is expected to expand its dApp ecosystem, improve cross-chain compatibility, and optimize the performance of its ZK-rollup system.

Other Notable ZK-Rollup Projects

Besides Manta Network, the Ethereum ecosystem hosts several other active ZK-rollup projects such as StarkNet (with Cairo ZK technology), zkSync (by Matter Labs), Polygon zkEVM, and Scroll. Each has unique features, from transaction performance and compatibility to security attributes.

Outlook for ZK-Rollup in 2025 and Beyond

2025 is projected to be a breakout year for ZK-rollup technologies. As Ethereum continues to grow and Layer-2 solutions become more in demand, ZK-rollup networks will attract increasing attention from developers and users alike.

Projects like Manta Network will play a crucial role in scaling Ethereum, supporting millions of daily transactions without overloading the mainnet. This will facilitate the growth of DeFi, NFTs, and pave the way for entirely new blockchain applications.

In summary, ZK-rollup represents a significant advancement in blockchain technology evolution, and these projects will lead the way in transforming Ethereum into a truly global, efficient, and accessible platform for everyone worldwide.