zkSync

The $ZK staking pilot program has reached **330 million tokens staked**, maintaining a **10% APR** target rate. **Key Details:** - Staking operates through a Delegate-to-Stake mechanism - Rewards require active delegation to be eligible - Program aims to strengthen governance resilience The initiative connects token staking with governance participation, where more active delegation contributes to more robust decision-making processes including proposals, upgrades, and emergency responses. Staking levels have shown steady growth, up from 320M tokens earlier in the month.

After ten years of institutional blockchain pilots and billions in investment, **no industry standard has emerged** for banking applications. **The Core Problem:** - Every blockchain architecture tested has failed to meet at least one of the four critical requirements that banks need - This has prevented widespread institutional adoption despite significant resources invested **ZKsync's Position:** The Ethereum Layer 2 solution claims to be the first architecture that satisfies all four banking requirements, potentially positioning itself as the long-awaited institutional standard. This development comes as institutions increasingly embrace tokenization to improve financial infrastructure and increase the velocity of money in the digital assets economy.

**zkSync releases interview on tokenized deposits** zkSync has published a full interview focusing on tokenized deposits, marking the latest in a series of discussions about bringing traditional banking infrastructure onchain. **Key context:** - The interview follows previous conversations with zkSync founder Alex Gluchowski about Wall Street's shift toward blockchain infrastructure - Recent media appearances have centered on the practical implementation of banking services on Ethereum Layer 2 - The discussion addresses how financial institutions are moving beyond speculation toward building actual infrastructure **What this means:** Tokenized deposits represent a bridge between traditional banking and blockchain technology, allowing financial institutions to leverage Ethereum's security while maintaining regulatory compliance. [Watch the full interview](https://www.zksync.io/tokenized-deposits)

**ZKsync Lite will cease block production on May 4, 2026**, with the network's final state permanently frozen. Users are strongly advised to withdraw funds before this date using the standard process. **Withdrawal Options:** - EOA wallet holders: [lite.zksync.io](https://lite.zksync.io/) - Other wallets: [withdraw.zksync.io](https://withdraw.zksync.io/) **Important Notes:** - Funds not withdrawn by May 4 are **not lost** - Claiming tools will be released post-shutdown - Read-only API remains online for at least one year - Funds stay protected under governance This planned deprecation affects only ZKsync Lite (the original proof-of-concept payments rollup) and **does not impact ZKsync Era or other ZKsync Chains**.

**Cari has selected ZKsync's Prividium technology to power the first tokenized deposits network in America.** The network brings together five U.S. regional banks representing over $600 billion in deposits. This marks a significant step in bringing traditional banking infrastructure onchain. **Key developments:** - Banks can now issue, transfer, and settle tokenized deposits without building complex internal systems - The solution integrates with existing banking operations through a partnership with BitGo - Prividium provides private, enterprise-controlled chains for regulated institutions - ZKsync Connect enables interoperability between institutional networks The infrastructure allows banks to compete in the digital assets economy while maintaining regulatory compliance. Small and mid-sized banks can now access tokenized deposit capabilities through a turnkey solution. Read more: [Cari Selects ZKsync's Prividium](https://www.zksync.io/blog/cari-selects-zksyncs-prividium)

Coinbase has joined a coalition of digital asset companies calling on the Senate Banking Committee to advance market structure legislation. **Key Points:** - Coalition urges markup on crypto market structure bill - Legislation aims to establish clear, lasting regulatory framework - Focus on consumer protection and maintaining U.S. competitive position **Background:** The Senate Agriculture Committee previously released its portion of the bill in November 2025, which outlined: - Clear agency jurisdiction over different asset types - CFTC and SEC coordination requirements - Consumer protection standards - Registration frameworks for institutions Senator John Boozman emphasized the CFTC's role in regulating spot digital commodity trading while ensuring consumer safeguards. The push for regulatory clarity extends beyond digital commodities to benefit the broader tokenization industry.

Regional banks are moving faster than major institutions in adopting digital asset infrastructure, according to recent statements. These smaller banks recognize the need for improved connectivity and settlement systems to remain competitive. **Key developments:** - Regional banks are implementing tokenized deposit systems to modernize their operations - Infrastructure is being built to help these banks move deposits onchain while maintaining their central role in financial services - The focus is on enabling regional banks that power the real economy to compete in the digital assets space The initiative aims to provide regional banks with the tools needed to innovate in the evolving financial landscape, addressing their need for better settlement rails and connectivity in the digital economy.

**zkSync's Tokenized Cash Management Advisory Group (TCMAG) has published its core principles for digital money.** The advisory group outlines foundational guidelines for managing tokenized cash in the evolving digital finance landscape. These principles aim to establish standards for treasury management and digital asset handling. **Key aspects likely covered:** - Standards for tokenized cash management - Best practices for digital treasury operations - Framework for institutional adoption This initiative builds on zkSync's existing treasury management solutions, providing clearer guidance for organizations navigating digital money systems. [Read the full principles](https://www.zksync.io/blog/tokenized-cash-management-advisory-group)

**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.