ZKsync Retiring Legacy Rollup to Strengthen Next-Generation Network

ZKsync has confirmed that it will retire its original Ethereum rollup commonly known as its first-generation Layer-2 network in 2026. The decision marks a major shift in the project’s long-term roadmap as it focuses development efforts on its latest and more advanced version of the network. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations, consolidate liquidity, and accelerate innovation across its upgraded ecosystem.

Why the Original ZKsync Rollup Is Being Sunset

The initial ZKsync rollup launched in 2020 as an early demonstration of what zero-knowledge proofs could achieve in scaling Ethereum. While the technology successfully enabled fast and low-cost transfers, it was limited in scope. The first version did not offer full support for smart contracts, making it less attractive for developers building decentralized applications.

Over time, market demand shifted toward more sophisticated rollups capable of supporting complex smart contract execution. This led to the development of the newer ZKsync Era, a zkEVM-compatible rollup designed to offer performance improvements, stronger security guarantees, and seamless compatibility with Ethereum’s tooling ecosystem.

As the user base and developer activity increasingly migrated to the newer network, maintaining both systems became inefficient. Retiring the older rollup allows the team to unify efforts around the evolving technology stack and eliminate fragmentation between platforms.

What Users Should Expect During the Transition

Although the retirement is scheduled for 2026, the original ZKsync rollup will remain operational until the deprecation date. Users who still have assets bridged to the older network will be given ample time to migrate their funds. A formal timeline, along with detailed migration instructions, is expected to be released well in advance.

Funds stored on the original rollup will remain safe throughout the transition period. Users will retain the ability to withdraw assets back to Ethereum’s main network or transfer them to the updated rollup once migration pathways are introduced.

Impact on Developers and the Broader Ecosystem

Developers building on the legacy version will be encouraged to transition to the newer platform, which supports more advanced programming capabilities and offers a broader set of tools. Consolidating to a single, more powerful rollup architecture also helps concentrate network activity, improving liquidity and long-term ecosystem growth.

This shift signals ZKsync’s commitment to expanding its role within the rapidly evolving Layer-2 scaling landscape. By retiring outdated infrastructure, it positions itself to compete more effectively with emerging zkEVM networks and other scalability solutions focused on next-generation performance.

FAQs

Q1: When will the original ZKsync rollup shut down?

The retirement is planned for 2026. A detailed deprecation schedule will be announced before the shutdown.

Q2: Will user funds on the legacy rollup be safe?

Yes. Users will have safe access to withdraw or migrate their assets throughout the transition.

Q3: Does this affect the new ZKsync rollup?

No. The updated version of the network will continue operating and receiving full development support.

Q4: Why is ZKsync retiring the older rollup?

The legacy system lacks smart contract capabilities and is being phased out to focus resources on the updated, more advanced version.

Q5: What should developers do?

Developers should begin planning to migrate applications and users to the newer rollup to ensure uninterrupted operations.