ZKsync Lite Scheduled for Full Deprecation on May 4

**ZKsync Lite is shutting down on May 4, 2026**, but users who miss the withdrawal deadline won't lose their funds. **Key Points:** - Block production stops May 4; network state will be permanently frozen - **Recommended action:** Withdraw funds before May 4 via [lite.zksync.io](https://lite.zksync.io/) for fastest processing - **If you miss the deadline:** Funds remain fully claimable through tools released after shutdown - Read-only API stays online for at least one year - All balances protected under governance This is a planned deprecation of ZKsync's first mainnet proof-of-concept rollup. **ZKsync Era and other ZKsync Chains are not affected**.

**Prividiums are now available for production**, with institutions already moving quickly to adopt the technology, according to gluk64 speaking at the New York Stock Exchange. **What are Prividiums?** - Purpose-built blockchain infrastructure for institutions requiring privacy, compliance, and data control - Enable organizations to build private, secure onchain rails they own - Maintain connectivity to Ethereum and other Prividiums - Allow institutions to control data location and set compliance rules **Why it matters:** Privacy has emerged as a critical factor for institutional blockchain adoption. Prividiums offer a pragmatic solution that balances the need for confidentiality with regulatory requirements, addressing a key barrier preventing traditional institutions from moving onchain. The technology represents a shift toward institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure that doesn't compromise on privacy or compliance standards.

The $ZK Staking Pilot Program has reached **305 million tokens staked** as of April 12, 2026. **Key Details:** - Target APR increased from 9% to **10%** (announced March 30) - Uses **Delegate-to-Stake mechanism** - Rewards require active delegation - Current active delegation: ~1.1B $ZK **Why It Matters:** Higher staking participation strengthens governance resilience for critical decisions including proposals, protocol upgrades, and emergency responses. The program incentivizes token holders to actively participate in network security and decision-making through delegation.

**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)

**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.