The new battleground for Ethereum Layer 2 in 2025: A comprehensive overview of zkRollups projects

Why zkRollups Are a Must-Have Option?

Slow processing speeds and high transaction fees on Ethereum have become consensus. Although Ethereum 2.0 is being rolled out in phases, the real savior comes from second-layer networks. Among many Layer 2 solutions, ZK Rollup is gradually becoming mainstream due to its unparalleled security and efficiency.

Simply put, ZK Rollup bundles multiple transactions into one, processes them quickly off-chain, and then verifies them on the Ethereum mainnet using zero-knowledge proof magic. Transaction details remain confidential, but integrity can be proven—this is the core competitive advantage of ZK Rollup.

Zero-Knowledge Proofs: An Elegant Cryptographic Solution

Imagine a black box—you don’t know what’s inside, but the system can prove the result is correct. That’s how zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) work. They have three key features: completeness (proof is valid), soundness (cannot be forged), and zero-knowledge (information remains confidential).

ZK Rollup operates based on this principle:

1. On-chain rules: Smart contracts define transaction rules on the mainnet
2. Off-chain processing: Many transactions are executed in parallel in isolated virtual machines, greatly reducing costs
3. Proof generation: Cryptographic proofs are generated to verify the validity of the batch of transactions
4. On-chain verification: Validators check the proof to ensure off-chain transactions are complete

This architecture significantly boosts throughput, alleviates network congestion, and dramatically reduces fees.

zkRollups vs Optimistic Rollups: Why Is the Former More Powerful?

Optimistic Rollups assume transactions are valid by default and only check disputes. ZK Rollups verify each transaction with cryptography. The results are:

The security, certainty, and privacy of zkRollups are stronger—this is why they are gaining so much attention.

The Most Promising zkRollups Projects in 2025

1. Manta Network - Pioneer in Privacy DeFi

Market Cap: $33.84M | Launch Date: September 2023 | Native Token: MANTA

Manta Pacific uses zk-SNARKs technology to build a privacy transaction layer. Within just a few months of launch, it surpassed Coinbase Base to become the fourth-largest Layer 2 on Ethereum.

Key highlights: Transaction assets and amounts are fully encrypted, but validity is verified. For privacy-sensitive traders, this is a killer feature. Manta also aims to provide a unified privacy infrastructure for DeFi applications across chains.

Suitable for: Privacy-focused DeFi users, cross-chain traders

2. Starknet - The Future Quantum-Resistant Choice

Market Cap: $396.03M | Launch Date: February 2022 | Native Token: STRK

Starknet adopts STARKs technology (not zk-SNARKs), which is a key difference. STARKs do not require trusted setup and are inherently quantum-resistant—crucial for long-term security.

It supports general-purpose computation, meaning any smart contract can run. Although its ecosystem is still developing, its long-term potential is highly regarded.

Suitable for: Users optimistic about long-term security and willing to participate in ecosystem development

3. zkSync Era - The Versatile EVM-Compatible Player

Market Cap: To be updated | Launch Date: March 2023 | Native Token: ZKS

Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync Era emphasizes EVM compatibility—existing Ethereum smart contracts can be deployed without modification. This minimizes migration costs for developers.

Transactions are processed in batches off-chain and then bundled into a single zero-knowledge proof submitted to the mainnet. Low fees, high throughput, easy migration—making it a top choice for developers.

Suitable for: Ethereum developers, projects seeking low-cost deployment

4. Linea - Balancing Speed and Development Experience

Market Cap: $107.26M | Launch Date: August 2023 | Native Token: LINEA

Linea compresses transactions using zk-SNARKs. Its feature is comprehensive support for developer integration, lowering the entry barrier. In 2024, it planned to launch a token airdrop.

Compared to other solutions, Linea performs well in throughput, cost control, and ecosystem activity is rising.

Suitable for: Teams needing efficient development tools, traders seeking balanced experience

5. Polygon zkEVM - The Ecosystem Giant’s New Layer 2

Market Cap: To be updated | Launch Date: March 2023 | Native Token: MATIC

Polygon’s zkEVM inherits the network effects of the Polygon ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with existing Ethereum tools, making it friendly for developers familiar with Ethereum.

Advantages include strong backing from the large Polygon ecosystem, abundant resources, and support. Disadvantages are that as a relatively new entrant, it requires time to mature.

Suitable for: Polygon ecosystem users, teams seeking ecosystem support

6. Scroll - Minimalist with High Throughput

Market Cap: To be updated | Launch Date: October 2023 | Native Token: Not yet launched

Scroll focuses on maximum throughput and low latency, using zk-SNARKs to compress transactions. It emphasizes EVM compatibility, allowing easy migration of Ethereum contracts.

Clear positioning: providing an efficient alternative for high-transaction-volume applications (especially DeFi). Ecosystem size is still small but growing rapidly.

Suitable for: High-frequency traders, heavy DeFi users

7. Taiko - The Disruptor of Decentralized Ordering

Launch Date: January 2024 (Testnet) | Funding Scale: $37M

Taiko’s core innovation is a “Layer 1-based ordering mechanism.” Traditional Rollups rely on centralized sequencers, which can be points of censorship. Taiko makes the sequencer driven by the underlying Layer 1, achieving decentralization.

This addresses current Rollup pain points: centralized sequencers can cause single points of failure. Taiko simplifies trust assumptions and lowers the barrier for developers.

Suitable for: Users and developers who value decentralization and governance security

8. zkFair - Fair Exchange to Prevent Transaction Front-Running

Launch Date: December 2023 | Native Token: ZKF | Market Cap: $163M

zkFair is a decentralized exchange that uses ZK technology to prevent MEV (miner extractable value). It directly tackles the pain point of existing DEXs: large traders front-running retail orders.

zkFair processes transactions with zero-knowledge proofs to ensure fair ordering. For users demanding transaction integrity, this is a new option.

Suitable for: Traders opposed to slippage and seeking fair trading

9. Aztec Protocol - The Experimenter in Programmable Privacy

Launch Year: 2017 | Native Token: Not yet launched

Aztec employs a hybrid public-private model, with optional privacy. Its core tool, Noir, is a programming language designed for zero-knowledge circuits, simplifying ZK dApp development.

Features include flexibility: supporting private transactions, anonymous voting, and more. Its long-term goal is to fully decentralize all core components.

Suitable for: ZK developers, teams exploring programmable privacy

10. ZetaChain - The Cross-Chain Communication Bridge

Launch Date: February 2021 | Native Token: ZETA

ZetaChain’s innovation is a “general cross-chain technology” based on ZK Rollup. Using zk-SNARKs, it enables seamless transfer of assets and data across different chains without revealing confidential information.

Core advantage: not only expanding Ethereum but also connecting multi-chain ecosystems. dApps can use assets and data across multiple chains.

Suitable for: Cross-chain application developers, traders seeking liquidity aggregation

11. DeGate V1 - The Slippage Killer for Large Transactions

Launch Date: September 2022 | Native Token: DG | Market Cap: $21.14M

DeGate is based on ZK Rollup, optimized for low slippage and low cost for large transactions. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to batch off-chain transactions and submit them to the mainnet.

Precise positioning: the most optimized decentralized exchange. Suitable for institutions and traders executing large orders.

The Real Challenges Facing zkRollups

Don’t be blinded by their advantages—zkRollups still face many issues:

• High technical barrier: complex cryptography, difficult development and maintenance
• Application limitations: some transaction types are inefficient to process
• Data management: transaction data must be persistently available, storage costs are high
• Proof generation costs: creating cryptographic proofs consumes significant resources
• User education: ecosystem still needs large-scale user adoption and infrastructure
• Governance risks: protocol upgrade decisions may lead to deadlock
• Economic feasibility: operational costs might offset some savings

What Does the Future Hold for zkRollups?

Ongoing technological development is addressing complexity issues. Liquidity fragmentation is gradually alleviated through cross-chain protocols. As adoption increases and ecosystems mature, zkRollups have the potential to revolutionize Ethereum scaling.

What will the future Ethereum look like? Fast, low-cost, secure, reliable—this is no longer a dream. zkRollups are turning dreams into reality.

This technology will open the door to large-scale blockchain applications, unleashing its full potential, empowering individuals, and redefining human-technology interaction.