zkSync

zkSync is a layer-2 scaling solution for the Ethereum network that uses zero-knowledge rollups to increase throughput and reduce fees while preserving the security of the base layer. Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync aims to enable faster and cheaper transactions for transfers and token movements, and in later iterations, for smart contracts.

In a zk-rollup, many user transactions are processed off-chain in batches. A cryptographic proof that the state transition is valid is generated and posted to the Ethereum mainnet, allowing it to verify correctness without re-executing each transaction. This approach compresses data and reduces congestion on the base chain, while maintaining trustless security anchored to Ethereum.

zkSync Era, the evolution of the protocol, provides an Ethereum-compatible execution environment, enabling developers to deploy Solidity contracts and interact with existing tooling and DeFi protocols. The network supports deposits of ETH and ERC-20 tokens from L1 and withdrawals back to L1, with continued expansion of ecosystem support. It is designed to be interoperable with popular wallets and developer tooling to facilitate migration and integration.

Security rests on Ethereum's security guarantees, with proofs publicly verifiable on-chain. The project is open source and has undergone independent security audits. zkSync is developed by Matter Labs, with ongoing community contributions and ecosystem partnerships to broaden adoption and interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem.