Matter Labs has announced plans to discontinue ZKsync Lite by 2026, marking the end of Ethereum's first zero-knowledge rollup solution. The shutdown represents a strategic consolidation as the team focuses resources on its more advanced ZKsync Era and the upcoming Elastic Network infrastructure.
In a significant development for Ethereum's Layer 2 ecosystem, ZKsync has announced the planned shutdown of ZKsync Lite in 2026, bringing an end to what was Ethereum's first operational zero-knowledge rollup. The decision marks a pivotal moment in blockchain scaling technology as the protocol transitions fully to its more sophisticated successor platforms.
ZKsync Lite, originally launched as ZKsync 1.0, made history as the first zero-knowledge rollup to go live on Ethereum mainnet, pioneering a scaling approach that would later become fundamental to Ethereum's roadmap. The platform offered users low-cost transactions while maintaining Ethereum's security guarantees through advanced cryptographic proofs.
The shutdown decision reflects Matter Labs' strategic focus on consolidating development efforts around ZKsync Era (formerly ZKsync 2.0) and the forthcoming Elastic Network. ZKsync Era represents a significant technological leap forward, offering full EVM compatibility and support for native account abstraction—features that ZKsync Lite lacked. The Elastic Network, meanwhile, promises to create an interconnected ecosystem of ZK-powered chains, representing the next evolution in scalable blockchain infrastructure.
For existing ZKsync Lite users, the 2026 timeline provides ample opportunity to migrate assets and applications to the newer platforms. The extended notice period demonstrates Matter Labs' commitment to ensuring a smooth transition without disrupting user activities or risking funds.
This consolidation strategy isn't unprecedented in the rapidly evolving Layer 2 landscape. As technology advances and newer solutions emerge, protocols must balance maintaining legacy infrastructure against concentrating resources on innovation. By sunsetting ZKsync Lite, Matter Labs can dedicate its full engineering capacity to advancing its more capable platforms.
The move also reflects broader maturation within the Ethereum scaling ecosystem. What began as experimental technology with ZKsync Lite has evolved into production-ready infrastructure handling billions in transaction volume. The shutdown of the original platform, rather than signaling weakness, demonstrates the success of zero-knowledge rollup technology and its rapid evolution.
As 2026 approaches, ZKsync Lite will be remembered not just as a scaling solution, but as a pioneering proof-of-concept that validated zero-knowledge technology as essential to blockchain's future.