zkSync

zkSync has been busy in 2024, highlighted by the successful implementation of the new prover Boojum, reducing transaction fees and hardware requirements. The community has been active, with meetups, presentations, and a zkEVM Bootcamp graduation. The DevRel team worked on migrations, plugins, and toolsets. Ecosystem projects like Cronos Chain and zkCandyHQ are utilizing zkSync, while Pudgy Penguins is set to launch Pudgy World soon.

zkSync has unveiled a paymaster feature that allows users to pay fees using any ERC20 token. Various zkSync protocols such as Mute.io, Zerolend.xyz, and HoldstationW are utilizing paymasters. Additionally, developers can leverage native account abstraction on zkSync to abstract seed phrases, sponsor gas, automate payments, and more.

The zkSync community will start posting ecosystem roundups on @farcaster_xyz soon. The roundups are for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement. Stay safe and always do your own research.

ZK technology enables unlimited scaling in Web3 without compromising decentralization. The endgame is thousands of permissionless hyperchains with thousands of transactions per second (TPS), with ZK proofs aggregated into one for each block. Ethereum will serve as the most decentralized settlement layer. Each transaction will be verified by every user in under 1 second. UX and liquidity fragmentation will be addressed, allowing seamless transactions between chains and free flow of liquidity. This vision will become reality on Ethereum in 2024.

According to zkSync, every chain that requires scalability will either upgrade to being validity proven or become obsolete. This upgrade offers significant improvements in performance, cost, efficiency, and composability without compromises. Those who continue to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt are likened to horsemen doubting automobiles in 1900.

zkSync takes multiple independent protection mechanisms to ensure the security of their network, including cryptography, validation by server nodes, and monitoring. They are also working on implementing a 4/5 validator set for decentralized sequencers and a sequencer implementation in secure enclaves. Security is a top priority for zkSync and they have open-sourced their project, inviting contributions through audits and bug bounty programs.

zkCandyHQ is building a gaming hyperchain using ZK Stack, a flexible and modular framework for creating custom chains. These hyperchains, secured by ZK tech, will offer cheap computation and abstracted wallets, making Web3 gaming seamless for casual gamers. The modular approach of ZK Stack ensures interoperability with other hyperchains, creating a broader ecosystem of shared users and liquidity.

The zkSync community, in collaboration with encodeclub, recently concluded a 6-week course on Layer 2 solutions, zkEVMs, and ZK-proofs. The course attracted over 1,000 applicants, resulting in 150 new builders who are now equipped to drive Ethereum adoption. The community expressed gratitude to guest lecturers from various organizations such as zksync, Aztec Network, Arbitrum, Starknet Foundation, LineaBuild, Scroll ZKP, and RiscZero.

zkSync transactions are now available on Etherscan, providing users with access to blockchain data. Features include NFT transfers and mints, verified contracts, blockchain charts and stats, code reader, token approvals, contract diff checker, and more.

There are new dapps, tools, and use-cases launching on zkSync every day. The community is growing and there is no slowing down in the year ahead.