Evolution of ZK Rollup in 2025: Leading Ethereum Scaling Projects

Scalability remains the main challenge for Ethereum despite continuous protocol updates. As user activity grows, gas fees skyrocket, and processing speeds decline. Here, second-layer solutions come to the rescue, particularly ZK Rollup — a technology that radically changes the approach to blockchain scaling.

ZK Rollup and Optimistic Rollup: What’s the real difference?

Both types of Layer 2 solutions operate on the principle of processing transactions off the main chain, but their mechanics differ fundamentally.

Optimistic Rollup assumes that all transactions are valid by default. Verification occurs only if someone disputes the result — during the challenge period (usually 7 days). This means transaction finality is delayed, and users must wait before withdrawing funds to the main network.

ZK Rollup takes the opposite approach: each transaction or batch of transactions is accompanied by a zero-knowledge proof (zero-knowledge proof). This means validity is confirmed instantly, without a waiting period. No assumptions about validator good faith — only mathematics.

Practical result: ZK Rollup provides instant finality and increased security. They do not require trust in third parties and do not reveal details of individual operations. Optimistic solutions are easier to implement but slower and require greater trust.

How do ZK Rollups work technically?

The process unfolds in four stages:

1. Off-chain batching: Multiple transactions are executed in a separate virtual machine outside the Ethereum mainnet. This drastically reduces load on the main blockchain.

2. Generation of cryptographic proof: A zero-knowledge proof (zero-knowledge proof) is created for the data package, confirming the correctness of all operations without revealing their contents.

3. Sending proof to the chain: The compact proof (usually a few kilobytes) is sent to a smart contract on Ethereum.

4. Final verification: Validators verify the proof, and if correct, all transactions are instantly considered final.

Key feature: zero-knowledge proofs have the property of completeness (a true statement always verifies), correctness (a false statement will not pass), and privacy (information remains hidden).

Why do ZK Rollups win on all fronts

Main advantages over alternative solutions:

• Instant finality: No challenge period; funds and data are protected immediately after inclusion in the proof.
• No economic assumptions: Security is guaranteed by mathematics, not participant good faith.
• Maximum privacy: Transaction details remain within the proof, offering a privacy level unattainable by other Layer 2s.
• Full data availability: Unlike some optimistic solutions, ZK Rollups store all transaction data on the main network, enabling full auditability.
• Environmental friendliness: Exponentially less data on-chain means reduced energy consumption.

The only downside is the technical complexity of implementation and the need for powerful computations to generate proofs.

Leading ZK Rollup projects in the Ethereum ecosystem in 2025

Manta Network (Manta Pacific): Privacy as a DeFi standard

Features:

• Based on zk-SNARKs for privacy
• Mainnet launch: September 2023
• Native token: MANTA (market cap $34.00M)

Manta Pacific specializes in private DeFi transactions. Users can trade and exchange assets in fully confidential mode — details about amounts and addresses are encrypted but remain verifiable. Two years after launch, Manta Pacific has become one of the most popular Layer 2 platforms thanks to its unique focus on privacy.

Key advantage: It is the only Layer 2 where privacy is built-in by default. For traders and DeFi users concerned about the security of their positions, this is a critical difference.

Linea: Balancing scalability and simplicity

Features:

• ZK Rollup based on zk-SNARKs
• Launch: August 2023
• Native token: LINEA (market cap $107.94M)

Linea was developed by ConsenSys (creator of MetaMask) with a focus on developer convenience. The platform batches transactions off-chain and sends a single zk-SNARK proof to Ethereum, providing thousands of TPS while reducing fees by 100+ times.

Key advantage: Ease of integration for developers. EVM compatibility means existing smart contracts can migrate with minimal code changes.

Starknet: The future standard for quantum-safe security

Features:

• Based on STARK proofs (Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge)
• Launch: February 2022
• Token: STRK (market cap $397.32M)

Starknet uses STARKs instead of SNARKs — more advanced cryptography that does not require trusted setup. This makes the system resistant to quantum computers and independent of complex parameter generation ceremonies.

Key advantage: Maximum long-term security. STARKs provide transparency and post-quantum resistance, making Starknet a future-proof platform.

zkSync Era: Practical scaling in action

Features:

• ZK Rollup by Matter Labs
• Full mainnet launch: March 2023
• ZKS token for governance and fees

zkSync Era has achieved one of the highest absolute throughput among all ZK solutions. The platform processes thousands of transactions per second, with fees remaining at cents even during high network activity.

Key advantage: Full EVM compatibility allows running any Ethereum application without rewriting. This makes migration easy for development teams.

Polygon zkEVM: Ecosystem scaling

Features:

• ZK Rollup solution from Polygon ecosystem
• Beta mainnet launch: March 2023
• MATIC token for fees and governance

Polygon zkEVM offers scalability while being part of the broader Polygon ecosystem. This creates synergy with other Polygon solutions and network effects attracting developers.

Key advantage: Integration with Polygon ecosystem means access to tools, bridges, and liquidity of already deployed applications.

Scroll: Performance and compatibility

Features:

• ZK Rollup based on zk-SNARKs
• Bridge deployment: October 2023
• Token not yet released

Scroll focuses on achieving extreme throughput. The platform can process thousands of TPS with minimal latency thanks to optimized architecture.

Key advantage: Best choice for high-frequency applications and mass DeFi scenarios. Processing delay is virtually unnoticeable to users.

ZetaChain: Cross-chain interaction via ZK

Features:

• ZK Rollup for cross-chain operations
• Launch: February 2021
• ZETA token (market cap $81.08M)

ZetaChain builds “universal bridges” between blockchains, using ZK proofs for secure asset transfer. This allows dApps to utilize liquidity and data across multiple chains simultaneously.

Key advantage: Solves liquidity fragmentation across blockchains. Traders and users gain access to consolidated liquidity pools.

Aztec Protocol: Privacy as an architectural choice

Features:

• Hybrid public-private ZK Rollup model
• Noir programming language for private contracts
• Native token not yet issued

Aztec features an architecture where privacy is optional. Developers choose which parts of logic should be private and which are open.

Key advantage: Maximum flexibility. From private trading to anonymous voting — Aztec supports any scenario without compromises.

ZKFair: Fair execution as mission

Features:

• ZK Rollup-based DEX
• Launch: December 2023
• ZKF token (market cap not yet available)

ZKFair addresses a critical DEX issue — front-running. Thanks to ZK proofs, the order of transactions in a block cannot be manipulated.

Key advantage: Fair execution of trades. Traders are protected from MEV bots and order manipulation.

DeGate V1: Zero-slippage derivatives

Features:

• ZK Rollup for derivatives platform
• Launch: September 2022
• DG token for governance

DeGate V1 is optimized to minimize slippage on large positions. ZK architecture allows batching orders for better execution.

Key advantage: Institutional-grade execution. Large traders get better prices thanks to ZK Rollup batching.

Taiko: “Based” sequence as a path to decentralization

Features:

• ZK-EVM Layer 2 with innovative architecture
• Testnet: January 2024
• Raised $37 million in funding

Taiko introduces the concept of a “based” sequence, where the mainnet validators act as the sequencer themselves. This eliminates a single point of failure and censorship present in other ZK solutions.

Key advantage: True Layer 2 decentralization. No separate sequencer that can be compromised or censored. The main chain takes on the dispatcher role.

Main challenges of ZK Rollup technology

Despite progress, the industry faces real obstacles:

• Computational complexity: Generating ZK proofs requires significant resources, limiting the number of sequencers.
• Engineering difficulty: Developing and auditing ZK systems requires rare skills. Cryptography errors are critical.
• Trade-off between flexibility and efficiency: Some operations are hard to pack into proofs without losing performance.
• Data availability requirements: All transaction data must be recoverable, requiring reliable storage infrastructure.
• Liquidity fragmentation: Each new ZK Rollup is a separate liquidity pool disconnected from the main network.
• Management complexity: Protocol updates require coordination among many decentralized participants.

Development trajectory: What to expect in the coming years

The industry is moving toward unification. Current research focuses on:

1. Accelerating proofs: New algorithms reduce proof generation time from hours to minutes.
2. Universal bridges: Projects like ZetaChain connect different ZK Rollups into a single network.
3. Parallel processing: Multiple sequencers process different transactions simultaneously, increasing throughput.
4. ZK VM standardization: Standard virtual machines for writing ZK contracts are emerging, lowering development complexity.

At this pace, ZK Rollups have the potential to turn Ethereum into a platform with millions of TPS, while maintaining security and decentralization.

Summary: ZK Rollup as the new standard for scaling

ZK Rollup has ceased to be experimental — it is becoming the standard for Layer 2. Their ability to provide instant finality, strong cryptography, and trustless assumptions makes them an ideal solution for mass blockchain adoption.

From private DeFi (Manta) to fair trading (ZKFair), from quantum-safe (Starknet) to bridge functionality (ZetaChain) — each project demonstrates a specific vision of future scaling. The choice of the optimal solution depends on priorities: do you need maximum performance, privacy, compatibility, or decentralization of the sequencer?

The Ethereum ecosystem in 2025 will be a network of interconnected ZK Layer 2 solutions, each optimized for its use case. The future is here, and it’s fast, cheap, and secure.