ZK Rollup solutions on Ethereum: an overview of leading projects in 2025

Why ZK Rollup is Changing the Game on Ethereum

Scalability remains Ethereum’s Achilles’ heel. As the network grows, fees skyrocket, and transaction confirmation times become critically long. Layer 2 solutions, especially ZK Rollup, are turning the situation upside down.

The basic idea is simple: instead of overloading the main network, ZK Rollup processes transactions off-chain, packs them into a single compact bundle, and sends them back with a cryptographic proof. No details of individual operations are revealed — only proof of correctness. It’s like a post office that, instead of delivering letters one by one, collects a batch, stamps it, and sends it all at once to all recipients.

The result is impressive: throughput increases by dozens of times, fees drop by 95%, and security remains at the level of the main network.

How ZK Rollup Works: Technical Core

The system operates through the interaction of two components: smart contracts on the main chain set the rules, and an off-chain virtual machine executes most of the work.

The process looks like this:

1. User submits a transaction to the off-chain virtual machine
2. Thousands of transactions accumulate and are processed in batches
3. The system creates a cryptographic proof — zk-SNARK or STARK
4. This proof is sent to the main chain, where validators verify it in milliseconds
5. Once verified, the status is updated to final

Key point: zero-knowledge proofs possess three magical properties — completeness (proves the truth), soundness (it’s impossible to prove a lie), and privacy (does not reveal details).

Why ZK Rollup is Better Than Alternatives

There is another category — Optimistic Rollups. They operate differently: they assume all transactions are honest and only verify if someone objects. Sounds fast, but there’s a catch.

ZK Rollups win on three fronts:

Finality: Transactions in ZK Rollup are finalized immediately after proof verification. In Optimistic Rollups, there is a 7-day waiting period during which someone can dispute the result.

Trustlessness: ZK Rollup does not require you to trust validators. Math guarantees honesty. Optimistic Rollups rely on the assumption that most validators are benevolent.

Privacy: Transaction details remain hidden within the proof. Optimistic Rollups publish all data, requiring additional solutions for confidentiality.

Top Projects: Who Leads

Manta Network — Privacy in DeFi

Statistics: TVL $851 million, native token MANTA (current market cap $33.82M) Launch: September 2023

Manta Network builds its layer 2 around privacy. Using zk-SNARKs, the platform allows completely anonymous crypto trading — amounts and assets are encrypted but verifiable.

In a short period, it surpassed Coinbase’s Base and became the fourth-largest Ethereum layer 2 network. The founders set a goal: to create a privacy layer for the entire DeFi ecosystem, regardless of blockchain.

Main advantage: most DeFi platforms lack privacy or add it as a second layer. Here, it’s embedded in the DNA.

Linea — Balance of Speed and Simplicity

Statistics: TVL $202 million, native token LINEA Launch: August 2023

Linea focuses on the essentials: transaction speed and developer-friendliness. Integration for developers is so simple that deploying an Ethereum app takes hours instead of days.

The network uses zk-SNARKs and promised an airdrop of LINEA in January 2024, but details of token distribution are still kept secret. Current market cap of $107.32M indicates growing interest.

Main advantage: a balance between high throughput (higher than competitors) and minimal fees despite compatibility trade-offs.

Polygon zkEVM — Ethereum Compatibility by Default

Statistics: TVL $115 million, token MATIC Launch: March 2023

Polygon zkEVM is part of the Polygon ecosystem but operates as a separate layer 2 solution. The key feature: full compatibility with Ethereum. Your smart contracts run unchanged.

This is critical for developers. Instead of rewriting code, you can simply deploy existing contracts and enjoy all the benefits of ZK scaling.

Main advantage: minimal work for developers + support from the Polygon ecosystem.

StarkNet — STARKs Instead of SNARKs

Statistics: TVL $170 million, token STRK (current market cap $396.53M) Launch: February 2022

StarkNet uses STARKs — a more advanced version of zero-knowledge proofs. The main difference: STARKs do not require trusted setup (unlike zk-SNARKs) and are resistant to quantum computing.

It’s futuristic: while others worry about current security, StarkNet prepares for the era of quantum computers.

Main advantage: maximum security today and future-proofing.

zkSync Era — Speed and Convenience Hybrid

Statistics: TVL $555 million, token ZKS Launch: March 2023

zkSync Era by Matter Labs is the most mature ZK Rollup on Ethereum. Low fees, high throughput, and EVM compatibility. Developers can migrate contracts without rewriting code.

Main advantage: experienced team (Matter Labs has long been in blockchain) and proven stability.

Scroll — SNARK Focused on Throughput

Statistics: TVL $63.46 million, no token Launch: October 2023

Scroll uses zk-SNARKs and bets on maximum throughput with minimal fees. Full EVM compatibility means seamless migration of DeFi applications.

Main advantage: designed for high-volume transaction applications.

Aztec Protocol — Privacy as an Option

Launch: 2017 (as a research project) Token: none

Aztec offers a hybrid model: you decide which operations to perform publicly and which privately. This opens doors for private trading and anonymous voting.

Key innovation: Noir programming language, which simplifies creating ZK circuits. Developers don’t need to be cryptographers.

Main advantage: programmable privacy + unique developer tools.

ZKFair — Fairness Against Front-Running

Launch: December 2023 Token: ZKF (market cap $163 million)

ZKFair specializes in fair trade execution. Common DeFi problem: bots see your transaction and front-run it. ZKFair solves this with ZK proofs.

Main advantage: traders get a guarantee of fair execution in a decentralized environment.

DeGate V1 — DEX with Microscopic Slippage

Launch: September 2022 Token: DG (market cap $21.14M)

DeGate is built as a decentralized layer 2 exchange optimized for large trades. ZK Rollup allows sending large positions without wild slippage.

Main advantage: minimal slippage + low fees for high volumes.

ZetaChain — Bridges Between Worlds

Launch: February 2021 Token: ZETA (current market cap $80.78M)

ZetaChain takes a different route: instead of just scaling Ethereum, they build universal bridges between blockchains. ZK proofs enable secure asset transfers across networks without intermediaries.

Main advantage: interoperability between blockchains via a single protocol.

Taiko — Decentralized Sequencer

Launch: January 2024 (testnet) Funding: $37 million in two rounds

Taiko introduces innovation in ZK Rollup architecture. Instead of a centralized sequencer (a component that packs transactions), Taiko uses a “based” sequencer — the process is managed by the Ethereum network itself.

Why is this important? In other solutions, the sequencer can become a bottleneck or censorship point. The “based” approach of Taiko eliminates this vulnerability.

Main advantage: minimal trust assumptions + censorship resistance.

Challenges on the Path of ZK Rollup

Despite its revolutionary potential, ZK Rollup faces obstacles:

Complexity: Cryptography requires high expertise for development and maintenance. Mistakes here can be catastrophic.

Resource Intensity: Generating proofs demands significant computational resources. This can slow down the system.

Flexibility: Not all operation types fit easily into the ZK paradigm. Some applications remain incompatible.

Governance: Protocol upgrades require consensus. This can be slower than in centralized systems.

Mass Adoption: Users need to abandon familiar interfaces. Education is critical.

The Future of ZK Rollup: What’s Next

Research is actively underway to simplify the technology. Engineers are working on creating easier proofs that don’t require deep cryptographic knowledge.

Liquidity fragmentation between different ZK Rollup solutions is addressed through cross-chain adapters and bridges. The ecosystem is becoming more interconnected.

The prospects are clear: mass blockchain adoption is impossible without scaling. ZK Rollup is not just an improvement for Ethereum; it’s a transformation of how we interact with cryptocurrencies. High speeds, minimal fees, and full security are becoming standard, not exceptions.

Summary

ZK Rollup is revolutionizing scaling paradigms. Instead of choosing between speed, cost, and security, you get all three. Over a dozen projects compete for leadership, each offering their own angle — privacy, fairness, interoperability, decentralization.

2025 will be a critical period when ZK Rollup moves from niche technology to mainstream. Those who understand the differences and choose the right tool for their goals will reap maximum benefits.