Vitalik Buterin Backs ZKsync: What This Means for Layer-2 Expansion

Following the merge, has reached a crucial juncture where scalability and operational efficiency have become essential requirements rather than future aspirations. With institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure on the rise and real-world asset (RWA) integration gaining momentum, Layer-2 technologies are now central to realizing Ethereum’s ambitions. Recent progress in , a prominent zero-knowledge (ZK) scaling solution, highlights this transformation. The public support from co-founder Vitalik Buterin for ZKsync’s Atlas upgrade has drawn significant attention, establishing the project as a foundational element in Ethereum’s ongoing development.

Strategic Impact of Buterin’s Support

Vitalik Buterin’s endorsement of ZKsync goes beyond mere symbolism; it demonstrates a deliberate alignment with Ethereum’s strategic direction.

, Buterin referred to ZKsync’s contributions as “underrated and valuable,” stressing its importance in advancing Ethereum’s adoption of proofs for secure and scalable transactions. Given Buterin’s longstanding influence on Ethereum’s technical evolution, his recognition of ZKsync’s achievements signals trust in the project’s capacity to overcome throughput challenges while safeguarding decentralization and security.

Launched in November 2025, the Atlas upgrade brings a range of new features designed to directly address these issues.

(TPS), achieves finality in one second, and offers nearly zero transaction fees, according to Coinotag. These advancements are more than just milestones—they mark a concrete move toward blockchain infrastructure that can meet enterprise demands, supporting use cases like RWA tokenization and international settlements.

Technical Progress and Ecosystem Integration

The Atlas upgrade’s standout feature is the integration of the ZK Stack, which enables effortless liquidity sharing between Ethereum’s Layer 1 and Layer 2.

, this advancement removes the necessity for separate liquidity pools, streamlining cross-chain transactions and enabling faster, more cost-effective operations. For Ethereum, this results in a more unified network, with Layer-2 solutions functioning as extensions of the mainnet rather than isolated components.

This level of interoperability is especially important for institutional users. By positioning Ethereum as a real-time liquidity center, ZKsync addresses the capital inefficiencies that have previously limited blockchain scalability. Developers can now build applications with greater assurance regarding both performance and cost stability—an essential consideration for businesses exploring blockchain adoption.

Market Dynamics and Token Economics

The introduction of the Atlas upgrade has also led to a significant change in market sentiment.

that ZKsync’s native token, ZK, jumped 50% in value after Buterin’s endorsement. This surge reflects increasing institutional trust, as ZKsync shifts from a governance-oriented token model to one focused on value accrual. Accelerated buybacks and token burns have heightened scarcity, aligning the token’s economics with user growth and network activity.

, highlighting its growing adoption and real-world utility. This growth is further supported by the project’s emphasis on RWA applications, which are expected to open up new revenue opportunities and use cases for blockchain technology.

Upcoming Upgrades and Market Position

Looking forward, ZKsync’s Fusaka upgrade,

, is set to increase throughput to 30,000 TPS, doubling the capacity introduced by Atlas. This development places ZKsync in direct competition with other Layer-2 solutions like and , while distinguishing itself through ZK-based privacy and security features. In a landscape where reliability and performance are crucial, ZKsync’s technical excellence and Buterin’s support make it a strong contender.

Investment Perspective

For investors, the combination of technological progress, institutional uptake, and Buterin’s endorsement presents a compelling case for ZKsync. The project’s alignment with Ethereum’s post-merge priorities—scalability, security, and interoperability—positions it as a major force in the Layer-2 sector. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including regulatory risks and competition from other scaling solutions.

Despite these uncertainties, the market’s reaction to the Atlas upgrade—evident in transaction volumes and token performance—indicates that ZKsync has reached a new level of credibility. As the Fusaka upgrade nears, attention will turn to execution and tangible adoption. For now, ZK-based technologies have moved from concept to becoming integral to Ethereum’s future.