The ZK Staking Pilot Program has raised its target annual percentage rate from 7% to 8% APR, marking the latest increase since the program launched in February.
Key Metrics:
- 250M $ZK tokens currently delegated and staked
- Season 1 capped at 400M $ZK total
- No lockup periods - users can stake/unstake anytime
How It Works: The program uses a "Delegate-to-Stake" mechanism built with Tally. Rewards only flow when staked tokens are delegated to active governance participants. This design aims to strengthen protocol governance by tying financial incentives to active participation in proposals and upgrades.
The APR adjusts dynamically based on participation levels - more staking typically means lower rates, while less staking can push rates higher (up to 10% maximum).
📊 Season 1 starts with a target 3% APR, adjustable up to 10% max. APR can fluctuate with staking levels (more stake → lower APR; less stake → higher APR). Targeting updates are applied daily. Rewards stream continuously. No lockup. You can stake/unstake anytime. Read the
⚙️ Delegate-to-Stake: How it Works Rewards only flow when staked $ZK is delegated to an active Delegate. No Active Delegate = No Rewards Eligibility This aligns incentives with real governance participation, strengthening governance reliability and protocol security.
Week 1 of the ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program is in the books. +160M $ZK is already delegated and staked. Quick breakdown: where we are, why it matters for governance and what we’re tracking next 👇
🎯 Season 1 participation target: 400M $ZK staked Current participation: ~59M ZK staked (and climbing)
Join In Season 1 is capped at 400M $ZK Once the cap fills, new staking only opens as others unstake. (users can stake/unstake at any time with no lockups) Delegate and Stake here 👇 vote.zknation.io/dao/stake/dire…
The portal is live with over 55m $ZK already locked in. Head on over, pick an active Delegate and stake your $ZK this week so you’re set to earn rewards the moment Season 1 starts on February 9th. vote.zknation.io/dao/stake/dire…
📣 UPDATE The target rate for the ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program has increased from 3% → 4% APR. ~170M $ZK is already delegated and staked.
Governance is the security layer at the heart of ZKsync's protocol. The ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program uses Delegate-to-Stake infrastructure built by @tallyxyz to strengthen governance participation and stress-test the infrastructure that will underpin future decentralization.
Season 1 of the ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program starts next Monday. Get set up now so you’re ready when $ZK rewards begin streaming 👇
Read the ZKnomics Staking Pilot FAQ before Season 1 begins on February 9th. forum.zknation.io/t/zknomics-sta…
ℹ️ Why This Matters For Protocol Maturity Reliable governance is how protocols ship upgrades, manage risk, and coordinate decentralization. This program is designed to increase: ▪️total delegated $ZK ▪️active voting power ▪️the amount of Delegates who consistently show up for
Join In Season 1 is capped at 400M $ZK Once the cap fills, new staking only opens as others unstake. (users can stake/unstake at any time with no lockups) Delegate and Stake here 👇 vote.zknation.io/dao/stake/dire…
Delegate-to-Stake is Live The ZKnomics Staking Pilot Program is designed to strengthen ZKsync's governance reliability by tying rewards eligibility to active delegation. Get set up this week so you’re ready for Season 1 on February 9th.
Why It Matters 🗳️ The mechanism is Delegate-to-Stake. Rewards eligibility is tied to active delegation. 🙋♂️ Current Active voting power: ~1.1B More staked $ZK and more active delegation means more resilient governance when it matters (proposals, upgrades, emergency responses).
✅ Join Before It's Late Season 1 is capped at 400M $ZK Once the cap fills, new staking only opens as others unstake. Users can stake/unstake at any time with no lockups. Delegate & Stake 👇 vote.zknation.io/dao/stake/dire…
🗳️ Staking Pilot Portal Is Live Now is the time to pick an active Delegate and stake your $ZK! Rewards start as soon as Season 1 begins on February 9th. Delegate-to-Stake here 👇 tally.xyz/gov/zksync/sta…
⚙️ The Mechanism: Delegate-to-Stake Rewards only flow when staked $ZK is delegated to an active Delegate No active Delegate = no rewards eligibility This aligns incentives with representation and participation, not passive farming.
Five US Regional Banks Launch Tokenized Deposit Network on ZKsync

**The Cari Network**, developed alongside five major U.S. regional banks (Huntington, First Horizon, M&T Bank, KeyBank, and Old National), has launched a platform for tokenized deposits powered by ZKsync's Prividium infrastructure. **Key distinctions:** - Tokenized deposits are **direct bank liabilities** integrated with core banking systems and eligible for FDIC insurance - Not stablecoins - they represent real bank deposits brought onchain - The five participating banks collectively hold **$8.3 trillion in assets** **Technical foundation:** - Runs on Prividium, ZKsync's L2 designed specifically for financial institutions - Enables private, compliant blockchain infrastructure while anchoring settlement security to Ethereum - Combines blockchain speed and programmability with existing banking regulatory frameworks **Use cases enabled:** - Real-time cross-border payments with ~1 second settlement - Corporate treasury automation with programmable workflows - Intraday repo and secured financing with instant collateral settlement The network aims to help American banks stay competitive in the digital assets economy while operating within regulatory perimeters. Gene Ludwig, CEO of Cari Network and former 27th Comptroller of the Currency, presented the launch at the DC Blockchain Summit. [Read more about Cari Network](https://www.zksync.io/blog/cari-selects-zksyncs-prividium)
ZKsync Speaker to Discuss Tokenized Deposits at DC Blockchain Summit

**ZKsync representative @gluk64 will speak at the Digital Chamber's DC Blockchain Summit on March 18.** - **Topic**: The role of tokenized deposits in next-generation financial markets - **Focus**: Bridging policy and banking infrastructure - **Time**: 1:35 PM - **Location**: Washington, D.C. The presentation addresses privacy, compliance, and institutional adoption in the evolving landscape of digital finance.
Instant Settlement: How Tokenized Deposits Will Enable Real-Time Cross-Border Money Movement
**The shift to instant settlement is reshaping finance.** Stablecoins have already begun transforming payment systems, and tokenized deposits are positioned to be the next major development. **Key developments:** - Tokenized deposits will allow institutions to issue regulated digital money - These digital assets can move in real time across markets and international borders - Industry experts predict tokenized deposits could become the fastest growing onchain asset class **Why this matters for banks:** Tokenized deposits offer financial institutions a way to remain competitive in the evolving digital assets economy. Unlike stablecoins, which operate outside traditional banking systems, tokenized deposits enable banks to issue their own regulated digital currency while maintaining compliance frameworks. **The broader context:** This development follows the success of stablecoins as onchain settlement tokens. The technology represents a move toward more efficient, integrated financial infrastructure that can operate 24/7 without the delays of traditional settlement systems. Institutions are beginning to recognize that real-time settlement capabilities will be essential for competing in digital finance.
ZK Technology Addresses Institutional Security Demands Through Privacy and Execution Integrity
**Institutional-Grade Security Through Zero-Knowledge Technology** Financial institutions are demanding protocol-level security that protects against invalid transactions, according to Ozhar, VP of Business Development, speaking on a recent panel. **Key Requirements:** - Banks require rigorous security verification at the protocol level - ZK technology provides both privacy and execution integrity - Institutions prioritize math, audits, and track records over narratives **Compliance-First Approach:** The latest ZK implementations include verification hooks that enable: - Private transactions with maintained audit trails - Protection of trade strategies and prevention of front-running - Compliance department approval through transparent verification This cryptography-first approach has been battle-tested at scale, offering privacy without compromising security—addressing the core concerns of institutional capital entering the crypto space.