zkSync to Deprecate zkSync Lite in 2026, Signaling Shift to zkEVM Future
zkSync has officially announced that it will deprecate zkSync Lite — its original zero‑knowledge rollup on ETH, originally launched in June 2020 — as part of a broader transition toward more advanced, ZK‑stack based infrastructure. The team described the move as a “planned, orderly sunset” for a system that “has served its purpose,” and stressed that the deprecation will not affect any other zkSync systems. For now, zkSync Lite continues to operate, and withdrawals to ETH mainnet remain functional. Approximately US$50 million remains bridged on the Lite network, though on‑chain activity has dwindled to fewer than 200 daily operations. The deprecation underscores zkSync’s evolving focus — pivoting resources toward its next‑generation rollup, zkSync Era, as well as broader ZK Stack and modular chain ambitions.
Why zkSync Lite Is Being deprecated
Sun‑set — From Proof‑of‑Concept to Legacy Status zkSync Lite, originally known as zkSync 1.0, was conceived as a lightweight Layer‑2 scaling answer for ETH — optimized for low-cost, high-speed transfers, token swaps, and basic NFT minting. Its zk‑rollup architecture ensured security by posting validity proofs to ETH mainnet while processing transactions off‑chain. However, unlike modern rollups, Lite never supported smart contracts or full EVM compatibility. This limitation increasingly constrained its utility as decentralized finance (DeFi), complex dApps, and smart‑contract infrastructure became the norm on ETH.
With the launch of zkSync Era in March 2023 — a fully EVM‑compatible zkEVM rollup — the adoption of Lite began to decline. Era enabled developers to port existing ETH smart contracts and build rich DeFi and NFT applications with lower fees and layered security. As liquidity and developer activity migrated to Era, Lite gradually slid into legacy status. Matter Labs ceased active development on the Lite chain shortly later than Era went live. In this context, the decision to retire zkSync Lite represents a natural evolution: a shift from simple payment‑focused rollups to full‑featured, scalable Layer‑2 ecosystems.
What Users and Developers Should Do
Migration, securety and Next Steps – For users who still hold assets on zkSync Lite, the deprecation notice is a warning signal to begin preparing for migration. Although the team has confirmed that funds remain secure and withdrawals to ETH’s Layer‑1 will continue to work, they’ve also pledged to release a detailed migration guide and timeline next year. Given the planned sun‑setting in 2026, ahead migration is advisable to avoid potential congestion or last‑minute complications.
Developers and projects built on Lite also face an urgent decision. With zkSync Era offering full smart contract support, composability, and broader ecosystem compatibility, this is the optimal time to port codebases, smart contracts, and integrations to Era or other chains built on the ZK Stack. Because Era is fully EVM-compatible, moving over should be relatively smooth, minimizing disruption. This consolidation is likely to strengthen the overall zkSync ecosystem, concentrating liquidity and development efforts around a unified, modern infrastructure.
Overall, the deprecation of zkSync Lite marks the close of an ahead chapter in ETH scaling — from experimental payment‑focused rollups to robust, feature-rich zkEVM networks. As zkSync redirects its resources toward Era and its modular ZK Stack roadmap, users and developers alike will need to adapt systems and holdings accordingly. Yet the promise of more scalable, versatile, and future‑oriented infrastructure remains, underscoring zkSync’s long‑term vision for ETH’s Layer‑2 evolution.
