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 Banks with $600B in Deposits Launch Tokenized Network on ZKsync
**Five US regional banks** representing over $600 billion in deposits have joined the [Cari Network](https://www.zksync.io/blog/five-us-banks-are-moving-to-zksync), launching the first tokenized deposits network powered by ZKsync's Prividium technology. **Key developments:** - Partnership with **BitGo** provides banks a turnkey solution for issuing, transferring, and settling tokenized deposits onchain - **ZKsync Connect** introduced as the first interoperability protocol built specifically for institutions - Banks can integrate blockchain technology without building complex internal systems **Why it matters:** Small and mid-sized banks are transforming to compete in the digital assets economy. Tokenized deposits enable efficiency gains in intrabank and interbank settlement, creating a new money layer for traditional finance. The solution runs on **Prividiums** - private, enterprise-controlled chains that allow regulated institutions to maintain compliance while accessing blockchain benefits. [Read the full announcement](https://www.zksync.io/blog/five-us-banks-are-moving-to-zksync)
🏦 Five US Banks Launch Tokenized Deposit Network on ZKsync
**Cari Network is building the first tokenized deposits network in the United States**, developed alongside five regional banks: Huntington Bank, First Horizon, M&T Bank, KeyBank, and Old National. Together representing $600B in deposits, these institutions are leveraging ZKsync's Prividium technology to bring bank-issued digital deposits onchain. **Key differences from stablecoins:** - Tokenized deposits are direct bank liabilities, not synthetic assets - Integrated with core banking systems - Eligible for FDIC insurance - Operate within existing regulatory frameworks **What Prividium enables:** - Private, enterprise-controlled blockchain infrastructure - Real-time settlement while maintaining compliance - Security anchored to Ethereum - 24/7 programmable money within banking regulations The network aims to modernize deposit infrastructure for the $8.3T held by regional banks, allowing them to compete in the digital assets economy while preserving privacy and regulatory safeguards. [Read the full case study](https://www.zksync.io/case-studies/cari-network)
Community Banks Get $8.3T Tokenized Deposit Network Access
**Cari Network is building infrastructure to connect community banks to tokenized deposits**, addressing a gap in how small businesses access digital financial services. - Gene Ludwig, Cari's CEO, explains that small businesses rely on local community banks rather than large institutions - The network aims to transform the **$8.3 trillion asset economy** controlled by community banks - Built on ZKsync, the platform enables these smaller banks to participate in digital asset markets Ludwig emphasizes that banks must lead—not just participate in—digital transformation to remain relevant. The tokenized deposit network provides community banks with tools to serve their small business customers in emerging digital economies.
Prividium Network Enables Private Institutional Blockchain Rails Connected to Ethereum
**Prividium Network** introduces a new approach for institutions to build private, secure blockchain infrastructure while maintaining connectivity to Ethereum and other Prividiums. **Key Features:** - Institutions can own and control their private onchain rails - Maintains connection to Ethereum and other Prividium networks - Combines privacy with enterprise-grade control - Represents first private blockchains connected to public systems while preserving privacy The vision was presented by @gluk64 on The Rollup, highlighting how this architecture addresses institutional needs for both privacy and interoperability in blockchain infrastructure.
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.