zkSync Will Stop Providing Native Ethereum Packages - Impacting Layer 2

From Lite Rollup to zkEVM

zkSync Lite was launched in June 2020 by development company Matter Labs. It is one of the first zero-knowledge rollup technologies built for Ethereum, primarily designed for fast and low-cost token transfers, simple swaps, and NFT creation. It performs an important function: proving that ZK-rollup technology can work in practice, processing off-chain transactions while posting proof of authenticity to Ethereum Layer 1.

However, Lite has fundamental limitations: lack of smart contract support and full EVM compatibility. As decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi platforms, and more complex contract-based use cases develop on Ethereum and Layer 2, Lite's utility is increasingly limited.

Recognizing these limitations, Matter Labs pivoted: in early 2023, they renamed zkSync 2.0 to zkSync Era, and launched zkEVM rollups that support arbitrary smart contracts — enabling the deployment of a whole suite of Ethereum-based dApps, not just transfers. The focus of development shifted accordingly.

As usage shifts to Era and activity on Lite dwindles — down to just a few hundred transactions per day, according to recent on-chain data — maintaining and securing both networks becomes increasingly inefficient.

Marking a turning point

On December 7, 2025, the zkSync team announced via social media channels that zkSync Lite would be shutting down in 2026. The announcement emphasized that this was a “planned, orderly end” for a system that “has served its purpose.” Importantly, they clarified that this shutdown would not affect any other zkSync systems, including zkSync Era and the growing ZK-Stack network.

User funds remain safe on Lite, with withdrawals to the Ethereum mainnet (Layer 1) still working. Around $50 million is reportedly still bridged on zkSync Lite.

The team plans to release detailed migration guidance and a timeline in the coming months. They've made it clear that no immediate action is required - giving users and developers time to adapt before the actual shutdown.

Impact on Ethereum Scalability

The planned shutdown of zkSync Lite sends a broader signal to the blockchain industry: ZK-rollup technology is maturing and moving beyond the experimental stage. As systems like zkSync Era and competing zkEVM rollups (or future modular ZK-Stack implementations) are adopted, we may see a consolidation of user bases, liquidity, and developer attention — moving from fragmented legacy networks to unified, scalable ecosystems.

This could accelerate Ethereum's scaling roadmap, reduce on-chain congestion, and make Layer 2 adoption more seamless for mainstream users and institutions. Over time, this consolidation could also improve security, tooling, and interoperability between projects across the Ethereum ecosystem—something that's difficult to achieve with multiple small, poorly maintained rollups.

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