Best Ethereum Layer 2 Projects Based on ZK Rollup Technology in 2025

Why ZK Rollup is Becoming the Scalability Solution for Ethereum?

Ethereum, as the leading decentralized application platform, has faced a critical issue: as the network grows, transaction fees spike, and processing speeds decline. While Ethereum 2.0 gradually addresses some performance problems, layer 2 solutions, especially ZK Rollup technology, offer the most promising path toward full decentralization of the infrastructure.

ZK Rollups act as “fast lanes” for the blockchain: they bundle many transactions off the main chain into a single one and submit it to Ethereum using cryptographic proofs that reveal no individual data. This reduces data volume on the main network while providing unprecedented speed and security simultaneously.

How ZK Rollup Works: From Theory to Practice

The technology relies on three key components:

On the Ethereum mainnet — smart contracts set rules and store essential data for second-layer transactions.

Off-chain — the bulk of operations are processed within a virtual machine with minimal costs and maximum speed.

Cryptographic proof — confirms the correctness of the entire batch without revealing details of individual operations. Validators verify this proof on the main network, ensuring integrity.

This approach achieves three goals at once: increases throughput by hundreds of times, reduces gas fees, and maintains full security of Ethereum.

Key Advantages of ZK Rollup Technology

Scalability without compromises: Bundling multiple transactions off-chain significantly reduces load on the main blockchain and makes each operation cheaper.

Instant finality: Unlike other layer 2 solutions, ZK Rollup does not require a dispute period — transactions are confirmed immediately after proof verification.

No economic assumptions: Security is guaranteed by cryptography, not trust in validators. No intermediaries, no risks.

Privacy and transparency: Details of individual transactions remain private within the proof, but the result is fully verifiable on-chain.

Ethereum compatibility: Most solutions maintain compatibility with existing smart contracts and tools, easing migration for developers.

Environmental friendliness: Efficient transaction processing reduces energy consumption compared to the main network.

ZK Rollup vs. Optimistic Rollup: What’s the Difference?

Optimistic Rollup assumes transactions are correct by default and only verifies them in case of disputes. ZK Rollup, on the other hand, verifies each operation using mathematical proofs.

Result: ZK Rollup provides instant finality and does not require a waiting period, whereas Optimistic Rollup involves a 7-day dispute window. ZK Rollup is more complex to implement but offers a more reliable and faster scaling solution for Ethereum.

Leading ZK Rollup Ecosystems in 2025

Manta Network — focus on privacy in DeFi

Features: TVL $851 million, launched September 2023, MANTA token ($33.50M market cap)

Manta Network specializes in confidential transactions using zk-SNARKs technology. The platform allows users to trade and exchange cryptocurrencies privately — asset details and amounts are encrypted but remain verifiable.

In a short period, Manta surpassed Coinbase’s Base and ranked fourth among Ethereum layer 2 solutions by total value locked. Its distinctive feature is a focus on privacy as a service for all DeFi applications.

Linea — simplicity and scalability

Features: TVL $202 million, launched August 2023, LINEA token ($106.80M market cap)

Linea processes transactions off-chain, grouping them before sending to the main network using zk-SNARKs. The platform emphasizes ease of integration for developers and achieves high throughput thanks to its optimized architecture.

Main advantages are speed and cost-efficiency, especially for applications with high transaction volumes.

Polygon zkEVM — prioritizing compatibility

Features: TVL $115 million, launched March 2023 (beta), MATIC token

Polygon zkEVM is integrated into the broader Polygon ecosystem and offers full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This means existing Ethereum smart contracts run on zkEVM without modifications.

The main benefit is that developers familiar with Ethereum can deploy applications on zkEVM with minimal code changes, leveraging Polygon’s network effects.

Starknet — STARKs and resistance to quantum computers

Features: TVL $170 million, launched February 2022, STRK token ($392.31M market cap)

StarkNet uses STARKs (Scalable Transparent Arguments of Knowledge) — a newer form of zero-knowledge proofs that do not require trusted setup, unlike zk-SNARKs. STARKs are also resistant to quantum attacks.

The platform supports universal computations, enabling work with any type of smart contracts and offering significant flexibility.

zkSync Era — user-centric design

Features: TVL $555 million, launched March 2023, developed by Matter Labs

zkSync Era is designed with a focus on scalability and user experience while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. It supports direct deployment of Ethereum contracts, greatly simplifying the transition for developers.

Main focus — low fees and high throughput, addressing two major pain points of the main network.

Scroll — high throughput and low latency

Features: $63.46 million TVL, launched October 2023, no token yet

Scroll uses zk-SNARKs to compress transactions and aims for maximum throughput with minimal delays. The platform is fully EVM-compatible, allowing easy migration of existing applications.

Aztec Protocol — programmable privacy

Features: Founded in 2017, hybrid model of public-private operations

Aztec offers a unique approach: privacy can be toggled optionally, enabling private trading, anonymous voting, and confidential contracts. The platform developed Noir — a programming language for creating zero-knowledge circuits, simplifying dApp development on ZK.

Aztec aims for full decentralization at mainnet launch, following Ethereum’s values: open source and no control.

ZKFair — fair trading

Features: Launch December 2023, native token ZKF, market cap $163 million

ZKFair is created as a decentralized exchange focused on preventing front-running — one of the main issues on other DEXs. Using ZK proofs ensures fair execution of trades without manipulation of transaction order.

This solution is especially attractive to traders concerned about the fairness of their operations.

DeGate V1 — minimal slippage

Features: Launched September 2022, DG token ($21.14M market cap)

DeGate V1 is built on ZK Rollup and optimized as a decentralized exchange with minimal slippage and low costs, especially for large trades. Using ZK proofs allows secure batching of transactions off-chain.

ZetaChain — cross-chain interoperability

Features: Launched February 2021, ZETA token ($79.65M market cap)

ZetaChain uses ZK Rollup to create universal bridges between different blockchains. The technology enables applications to interact securely and efficiently with assets and data across multiple chains simultaneously.

Unique feature — ZetaML technology for executing smart contracts off-chain, enhancing cross-chain functionality.

Taiko — decentralized sequencer

Features: Testnet launched January 2024, $37 million in funding

Taiko uses ZK-EVM and implements a revolutionary “based” sequencing method, where transaction packaging functions are managed by the base layer of the first level instead of a centralized structure. This addresses single points of failure and censorship risks present in other rollup solutions.

Thus, Taiko reduces trust assumptions and simplifies the value creation chain at the second layer.

Challenges and Limitations of the Technology

Despite its potential, ZK Rollup faces real obstacles:

Technical complexity requires deep cryptography expertise, complicating development and maintenance.

Limited flexibility in transaction types that can be efficiently processed narrows application scenarios.

Data availability management remains a critical challenge, requiring reliable infrastructure.

Resource-intensive proof generation can become a bottleneck for large volumes.

Mass adoption depends on user trust and ecosystem support.

Governance model must be decentralized and secure to make upgrade decisions.

Economic viability depends on balancing fee reductions with operational cost recovery.

The Future of ZK Rollup: Trends for 2025 and Beyond

Current developments focus on simplifying ZK Rollup implementation and increasing Ethereum integration. Research addresses complexity issues, while innovative approaches help tackle liquidity fragmentation.

With sustained growth and collaboration among projects, ZK Rollup has the potential to reshape the entire Ethereum scalability landscape and usher in a new era of high-speed, cost-effective, and secure blockchain applications suitable for mass adoption.

Final Outlook

ZK Rollup is not just a technical improvement but a fundamental shift in how blockchain can scale. By efficiently processing operations off the main chain while maintaining full security and data integrity, these solutions open the door for deploying applications previously impossible. Their ability to overcome current limitations creates conditions for mass adoption of blockchain technology, unlocking new opportunities for millions of users and transforming how we interact with decentralized services.