zkSync Lite to shut down next year as ecosystem shifts to next-gen ZK systems

zkSync has started preparing the retirement of its original ZK-rollup, setting up a transition to more advanced infrastructure across its network.

In a Dec. 7 post on X, zkSync said it plans to deprecate zkSync Lite, also known as zkSync 1.0, sometime in 2026.

The team called it a planned and orderly shutdown for a system that launched in 2020 and helped validate many of the ideas behind modern zero-knowledge rollups.

Transition from legacy infrastructure

Nothing changes for users today. zkSync ( ZK ) Lite remains online, withdrawals to Ethereum ( ETH ) continue to work, and funds are safe. The team will publish a full deprecation timeline and migration guide next year, including steps for users and developers to move to zkSync Era or other chains built with the ZK Stack.

zkSync Lite processed more than a billion transactions during its lifetime but now sees fewer than 200 daily transactions. The team said maintaining legacy infrastructure no longer aligns with its focus on Era, Prividiums, and a broader network of ZK chains.

Around $50 million in assets are currently bridged to zkSync Lite. These funds remain accessible, and users can withdraw to Ethereum at any time. The team recommends preparing for migration once guidance is released to avoid last-minute congestion in 2026.

A comprehensive transition plan is expected in early 2026. zkSync said the move does not affect zkSync Era or any chain built with the ZK Stack and is strictly limited to the first-generation rollup.

zkSync’s expansion continues toward a multi-chain ZK network

The decision comes alongside technical upgrades across the zkSync ecosystem. On Dec. 5, the Atlas upgrade activated, enabling native cross-chain interoperability across all ZK chains in the network without relying on external bridges. Early activity data shows a rise in daily active users as apps begin to adopt the new messaging standard.

A prior upgrade in October improved proof performance and introduced privacy features designed for high-throughput use cases such as tokenized assets. The team says these systems reflect the future direction for ZK infrastructure, with zkSync Lite having already completed its role as a proof-of-concept.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently highlighted zkSync’s ZK roadmap as a key part of Ethereum’s long-term scaling strategy, pointing to the growing role of ZK proofs in decentralized finance and tokenization.

With the planned sunset, zkSync is closing the chapter on its earliest rollup and concentrating its resources on what it calls a “network of ZK chains” built on unified cryptography.