Futures
Hundreds of contracts settled in USDT or BTC
TradFi
Gold
Trade global traditional assets with USDT in one place
Options
Hot
Trade European-style vanilla options
Unified Account
Maximize your capital efficiency
Demo Trading
Futures Kickoff
Get prepared for your futures trading
Futures Events
Participate in events to win generous rewards
Demo Trading
Use virtual funds to experience risk-free trading
Launch
CandyDrop
Collect candies to earn airdrops
Launchpool
Quick staking, earn potential new tokens
HODLer Airdrop
Hold GT and get massive airdrops for free
Launchpad
Be early to the next big token project
Alpha Points
Trade on-chain assets and enjoy airdrop rewards!
Futures Points
Earn futures points and claim airdrop rewards
Investment
Simple Earn
Earn interests with idle tokens
Auto-Invest
Auto-invest on a regular basis
Dual Investment
Buy low and sell high to take profits from price fluctuations
Soft Staking
Earn rewards with flexible staking
Crypto Loan
0 Fees
Pledge one crypto to borrow another
Lending Center
One-stop lending hub
VIP Wealth Hub
Customized wealth management empowers your assets growth
Private Wealth Management
Customized asset management to grow your digital assets
Quant Fund
Top asset management team helps you profit without hassle
Staking
Stake cryptos to earn in PoS products
Smart Leverage
New
No forced liquidation before maturity, worry-free leveraged gains
GUSD Minting
Use USDT/USDC to mint GUSD for treasury-level yields
Zero-Knowledge Rollups: Which project is worth paying attention to in 2025?
Layer 2 Dilemma: Why Ethereum Needs ZK Rollup
As the cornerstone of the DeFi ecosystem, Ethereum faces an awkward problem: success has become a shackle. The more congested the network, the more outrageous the gas fees, and the slower the transaction speeds. Although Ethereum 2.0 is progressing, phased implementation makes people wait anxiously. The true savior is actually on the second layer—Layer 2 solutions. Zero-knowledge rollups (abbreviated as ZK Rollups) are precisely the “chosen ones” among them.
What exactly are ZK Rollups? Simply put, they bundle a bunch of transactions off-chain, use magical cryptography proofs (zero-knowledge proofs) to verify the legality of these transactions, and then send the compressed data back to the mainnet. What are the benefits? Cheaper transactions, faster speeds, and guaranteed security.
In comparison, Optimistic Rollups adopt a “trust but verify” approach, requiring challenge periods for final confirmation. ZK Rollups, on the other hand, are instant—zero-trust assumptions, cryptographic guarantees, and finality are immediate. The cost is more complex technology, but the benefits are definitely worth it.
ZK Rollup Ecosystem Shake-up: Who Will Win in 2025
Based on the latest TVL data, here are the ZK Rollup projects worth watching:
1. zkSync Era: The Choice of High-Efficiency Players
zkSync Era, developed by Matter Labs, focuses on EVM compatibility. Developers can migrate Ethereum smart contracts without changing code. Transactions are bundled into a single proof sent to the mainnet, significantly reducing gas fees and increasing throughput. This combo makes zkSync one of the most popular Layer 2 solutions.
Core selling point: Full EVM compatibility means minimal migration hurdles. For developers eager to switch quickly to Layer 2, this is a painless solution.
2. Starknet: The Bulletproof in the Quantum Computing Era
Unlike zk-SNARKs, STARKs do not require trusted setup and are inherently quantum-resistant. Starknet uses STARKs for off-chain computation and verification, supporting general-purpose computing. This means any smart contract can run, offering higher flexibility.
Core selling point: Future-proof against quantum attacks + no trusted setup = maximum long-term security. For investors optimistic about ten years ahead, this is an insurance choice.
3. Manta Network: Pioneer of Privacy DeFi
Manta Pacific uses zk-SNARKs to create a fully private DeFi experience. Transaction details are encrypted but verifiable. This is especially attractive for high-value operations by DeFi influencers—no fear of sniping or front-running. In just over half a year since launch, it has surpassed Coinbase’s Base, becoming the fourth-largest Layer 2.
Core selling point: Privacy = Market competitiveness. No one in crypto wants their positions known to competitors.
4. Linea: Simplicity Is Power
Linea, produced by ConsenSys, uses zk-SNARKs for transaction compression. Transaction execution, grouping, bundling, verification—all standardized. Announced an airdrop plan in January 2024, but token utility remains secret. Still, it’s well-liked among developers—easy integration, high throughput.
Core selling point: Enterprise-grade stability + future token expectations.
5. Polygon zkEVM: Ecosystem Connector
A new member of the Polygon ecosystem, providing an EVM-compatible ZK Rollup environment. Off-chain transactions are executed in an EVM-compatible environment, verified on-chain with ZK proofs. Enjoy the benefits of Polygon’s ecosystem without changing code.
Core selling point: Ecosystem synergy = liquidity accumulation effect.
6. zkFair: The Contrarian
ZKFair uses ZK Rollups to build a MEV-resistant DEX. The core innovation is completely eliminating front-running. Transaction order cannot be manipulated, execution prices are guaranteed. For retail traders tired of being exploited, this is a remedy.
Core selling point: Fair trading = Retail traders’ last stronghold.
7. ZetaChain: The Multi-Chain Bridge
ZetaChain’s ambition isn’t limited to a single chain. Using ZK Rollups to build a “general cross-chain bridge,” assets and data flow seamlessly across different blockchains. zk-SNARKs ensure cross-chain transaction validity while protecting privacy.
Core selling point: Infrastructure for the multi-chain era = If the internet has base stations, ZetaChain is the cross-chain station.
8. Scroll: The Silent High-Throughput
Scroll is low-profile but powerful. Off-chain execution, aggregation, and a single proof sent to the mainnet. Emphasizes high throughput + low latency, optimized for high-frequency DeFi applications.
Core selling point: No tokens don’t mean no value—pure tech stack strength.
9. Aztec Protocol: Creator of Privacy Programming Language
Aztec offers a hybrid model supporting both public and private computations. More impressive is Noir—a programming language specifically for writing ZK circuits, greatly lowering development barriers. Want to build ZK apps? Use Noir, no need to be a cryptography PhD.
Core selling point: Democratizing ZK development = the cradle of next-gen dApps.
10. DeGate V1: The Dark Horse of Derivatives
DeGate builds a minimal-slippage DEX based on ZK Rollups. Targeted at large traders, emphasizing ultra-low costs + high efficiency. Off-chain batching of multiple orders, one proof to settle.
Core selling point: Exclusive playground for big players.
11. Taiko: The Near-Perfect EVM Migration
Taiko uses ZK-EVM technology to achieve a fully Ethereum-compatible Layer 2. The most ingenious design is the “based sequencer”—not a centralized third party, but the Layer 1 itself (Ethereum) acts as the sequencer. This completely solves the problem of sequencers becoming single points of failure or censorship.
Core selling point: Fully decentralized sequencing = Layer 2 no longer “under single control.”
The Real Challenges Facing Zero-Knowledge Rollups
Brilliant technology also has dark sides:
Technical difficulty: Designing ZK circuits isn’t for everyone. Bugs can be deadly.
Data availability: Off-chain data must be verifiable at any time, requiring highly stable infrastructure.
Liquidity fragmentation: Too many projects, liquidity on each chain is dispersed. Cross-chain bridges introduce new risks.
Economic feasibility: Generating cryptographic proofs requires computational resources, sometimes more costly than expected.
Adoption: User and developer migration won’t happen overnight. Education costs are high.
Outlook for 2025: Will ZK Rollups Win?
From a technical perspective, zero-knowledge rollups are moving from labs to production. Hardware acceleration, proof aggregation, cross-chain interoperability—these directions are advancing.
From an ecosystem view, Ethereum Layer 2 has become inevitable. The question isn’t whether ZK Rollups will win, but which project will break through.
Based on current data, zkSync Era leads in TVL and EVM compatibility, Starknet attracts strategic investors for its long-term security, and Manta’s privacy features are especially valuable during market turbulence.
But remember: ZK Rollups are still young, with huge risks and opportunities alike.
Final Words
Zero-knowledge rollups represent the future of blockchain scaling. They’re not just about speed; they redefine the boundaries of possibility while preserving Ethereum’s security and decentralization principles.
Whether for privacy, interoperability, or raw performance, there’s a Layer 2 for you. The key is understanding each project’s trade-offs and choosing according to your needs.
In this era of technological explosion, knowing what options exist is already an advantage.