2025 ZK Rollup Ecosystem Landscape: In-depth Comparison of 11 Projects

What Exactly Is ZK Rollup?

Ethereum’s congestion issue has always been a major pain point. As more users join, gas fees skyrocket and transaction speeds crawl. Among Layer 2 solutions, why does ZK Rollup stand out?

Simply put: it batches multiple off-chain transactions into a single mathematical proof, then submits that proof to the mainnet. This proof uses cryptographic black magic—Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP). The name sounds intimidating, but basically: I can prove all these transactions are valid, without revealing the transaction details.

What are the benefits?

• 📊 Massive throughput: can reach 100x+ the mainnet
• 💰 Ultra-low fees: from tens of USDT down to just cents
• 🔒 Near-instant confirmation: unlike Optimistic Rollups, no 7-day wait
• 🔐 Privacy protection: transaction content is encrypted but verifiable

Compared to Optimistic Rollup: the latter trusts first and verifies later (7-day challenge period), while ZK verifies every transaction—meaning higher security, but greater technical complexity.

Ecosystem Status: Who’s Leading?

Sorted by TVL, these projects are worth watching:

Top Three

1. zkSync Era | TVL $555M | Launched Mar 2023

• Developed by Matter Labs, focuses on EVM compatibility
• Batches transactions and generates a ZK proof on-chain
• Advantages: Developer-friendly, Solidity code migrates with no changes needed
• Ecosystem: Already integrated with major apps like Uniswap and AAVE

2. Manta Pacific | TVL $851M | Launched Sep 2023

• Uses zk-SNARKs for private transactions
• Ambitious: Surpassed Coinbase’s Base in six months to become the fourth largest L2
• Focus: DeFi privacy (for large transactions you don’t want others to see)
• Drawback: Privacy features mean complex parameter settings; not all apps can use it

3. Linea | TVL $202M | Launched Aug 2023

• Built by Consensys (MetaMask’s parent company)
• Also uses zk-SNARKs; roadmap includes a native token
• Feature: Highly integrated and best suited for Ethereum’s ecosystem
• Potential: Strong capital backing

Second Tier Emerging Players

4. Starknet | TVL $170M | Launched Feb 2022

• Uses STARKs (not SNARKs) for proofs
• Key selling points: Quantum resistant + no trusted setup required
• Drawback: Uses proprietary language Cairo, steep learning curve for developers
• Suitable for: Institutions highly sensitive to technical specs

5. Polygon zkEVM | TVL $115M | Launched Mar 2023

• Built by Polygon, inherits the main project’s ecosystem
• 100% EVM compatibility, ready-to-deploy smart contracts
• Advantage: Backed by Polygon’s vast ecosystem and developer community
• Disadvantage: General-purpose focus, lacks standout innovation

6. Scroll | TVL $63.46M | Launched Oct 2023

• Rising star, high attention but TVL still accumulating
• Uses zk-SNARKs, designed for high throughput
• Feature: CEO has Chinese internet background, active community

Dark Horses in Niche Tracks

🔐 Privacy Transaction Track: Aztec Protocol

• Hybrid public-private execution model (choose privacy or transparency)
• Developed its own language Noir, making ZK circuit coding easier for developers
• Token hasn’t launched yet, but community anticipation is high

🚀 DEX Anti-Front-Running Track: ZKFair

• Market cap only $163M but uniquely positioned
• Specializes in solving the DEX front-running problem (placing orders ahead to profit from transaction order)
• A major pain point in DEX, with strong demand
• Risk: $ZKF token concentration is uncertain

🌉 Cross-Chain Interoperability Track: ZetaChain

• The “universal bridge” between different chains
• Uses zk-SNARKs to verify cross-chain transactions
• Innovation: ZetaML allows complex logic to be executed off-chain
• Best for: Multi-chain dApps

📈 Layer 2 Protocol Track: Taiko

• Launched testnet in Jan 2024, newest player
• Raised $37M, strong momentum
• Core innovation: “Based sequencing” (mainnet validators also act as sequencers, eliminating single points of failure)
• This design addresses the traditional L2 censorship issue by sequencers

💱 Derivatives Track: DeGate V1

• $DG market cap $21M, smallest in size
• Clear focus: low-slippage decentralized options/derivatives trading
• Uses ZK to batch process off-chain transactions
• For: High-frequency traders

Three Major Challenges Facing ZK Rollups

1. High Cost of Proof Generation

   • Each ZK proof requires massive computational power
   • Not all transaction types can be efficiently processed yet
   • For example, complex DeFi flash loans may get stuck

2. High Developer Barrier

   • ZK circuit design is far more complex than basic Solidity
   • Requires geeks who understand cryptography, math, compiler theory
   • Talent shortage limits project iteration speed

3. Liquidity Fragmentation

   • 11 different L2 projects mean users and funds are split
   • Cross-L2 bridging comes with high fees and risks
   • This hurts the DeFi ecosystem (fragmented DEX liquidity = higher slippage)

Where Are the Opportunities in 2025?

✅ Multi-chain Aggregation Trend: Cross-chain solutions like ZetaChain will boom
✅ Rising Privacy Needs: With US SEC tightening regulations, Manta/Aztec’s privacy features become more valuable
✅ Application Innovation: Anti-censorship mechanisms like ZKFair will spur new application types
✅ Hardware Acceleration: Dedicated ASIC chips will lower proof costs, intensifying the Matthew Effect

Summary

ZK Rollup isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s definitely the most promising route for Ethereum scaling. From a market perspective, zkSync and Manta already have decent ecosystem network effects, but new players like Taiko/Scroll/ZetaChain (with innovations like based sequencing, cross-chain interoperability, anti-front-running DEXs) may drive the next wave of evolution.

How to pick projects: Go for zkSync or Linea for big capital/stable returns, Manta/Aztec for privacy needs, or Taiko/ZetaChain for innovation. But remember—L2 core competition is still about ecosystem apps and liquidity depth; picking solely on technical specs is risky.

Risk Warning: This article is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. L2 projects carry protocol, contract, and market risks. Please fully assess your own risk tolerance before investing in digital assets.