zkSync

**Cari Network has selected ZKsync's Prividium to power its tokenized deposit network**, bringing together five major U.S. regional banks with a combined $600B in deposits. The participating institutions include: - Huntington Bank - First Horizon - M&T Bank - KeyBank - Old National **What are tokenized deposits?** Unlike stablecoins, tokenized deposits are direct bank liabilities integrated with core banking systems and eligible for FDIC insurance. They enable 24/7 digital money within existing regulatory frameworks. **Why Prividium?** ZKsync's Prividium is an L2 designed specifically for financial institutions, offering: - Privacy with public proofs - Built-in compliance - Enterprise control - Direct connectivity to Ethereum The platform enables banks to operate private, compliant blockchain infrastructure while anchoring settlement security to Ethereum. **Use cases enabled:** - Real-time cross-border payments (~1s settlement) - Corporate treasury automation - Intraday repo and secured financing - Programmable liquidity flows Gene Ludwig, CEO of Cari Network and former 27th Comptroller of the Currency, emphasized: *"For banks to be relevant, it's absolutely essential that they are leaders, and not participants, in this digital transformation."* [Read the full announcement](https://www.zksync.io/blog/five-us-banks-are-moving-to-zksync)

zkSync has outlined its strategic direction for 2026, marking a pivotal transition from infrastructure development to practical implementation. **Key Highlights:** - **2025 Foundation Complete**: The past year focused on establishing core technical infrastructure and protocols - **2026 Real-World Focus**: This year prioritizes deploying actual use cases and applications that demonstrate zkRollup technology in action - **Strategic Shift**: Moving from theoretical framework to tangible solutions that can drive mainstream crypto adoption The roadmap signals zkSync's confidence in its Layer 2 infrastructure maturity and readiness to support production-grade applications. This transition reflects the broader industry trend of moving beyond pure protocol development toward user-facing products. [Read the full 2026 roadmap](https://www.zksync.io/blog/zksync-roadmap-2026)

**GRVT has introduced Unified Margin on zkSync**, transforming how capital is managed in DeFi. The system eliminates idle capital by making funds **continuously productive and dynamically deployed** rather than statically allocated. This represents a shift from traditional capital management where funds are locked in single positions. **Key features:** - Single balance across all positions - Automatic capital optimization - Continuous yield generation - Instant trading capabilities Built on zkSync's Layer 2 infrastructure, the solution aims to maximize capital efficiency without requiring manual reallocation between different protocols or positions.

The ZK Staking Pilot Program has increased its target annual percentage rate from 9% to 10% APR. **Key Details:** - Current staking participation: 285M $ZK tokens delegated and staked - This marks the latest rate adjustment in the pilot program - Previous rate was increased from 4% to 5% APR in February The rate increase reflects ongoing adjustments to the staking program as it continues to attract participation from the ZK community.

ZKsync has introduced **Airbender**, an open source RISC-V prover designed for speed and efficiency. **Key features:** - Generates block proofs in seconds - Costs a fraction of a cent per proof - Runs efficiently on commodity hardware - Built specifically for scaling zkRollup operations The prover aims to make zero-knowledge proof generation more accessible and cost-effective for Layer 2 scaling solutions. [Learn more about Airbender](https://www.zksync.io/airbender)

**APR Update** Linea's target APR rate is increasing to **10% next week**, marking the final rate increase for Season 1. **Key Details:** - The displayed rate adjusts daily based on participation levels - 10% APR represents the maximum cap until Season 1 ends - This follows previous weekly 1% increases from the initial 5% target rate The rate will remain capped at 10% for the remainder of the current season, with daily adjustments applied to maintain the target as participation fluctuates.

**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.

**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.

**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.

The **UAE Dirham is now operational** on ADI Chain's DDSC platform, marking a significant milestone for regulated digital finance in the region. **Key Details:** - Initiated by IHC and First Abu Dhabi Bank - Approved and licensed by the UAE Central Bank - Built on ZKsync infrastructure for high-value transactions - Part of ADI Chain's goal to onboard 1 billion users by 2030 The platform targets underserved markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, providing blockchain access to regions with limited financial infrastructure.