ZKsync Announces Planned Deprecation of ZKsync Lite (1.0) in 2026
ZKsync has officially announced that it will deprecate ZKsync Lite, also known as ZKsync 1.0, in 2026. The team described the move as a planned and orderly sunset of the original ZK-rollup that launched on Ethereum and helped validate the foundations of production-grade zero-knowledge systems.
According to the announcement, the decision does not affect any other ZKsync products or networks. ZKsync emphasized that no immediate action is required from users.
ZKsync Lite Will Continue Operating Normally
ZKsync stated that nothing changes today. The network will continue to operate as usual, and all funds on ZKsync Lite remain fully safe. Withdrawals to Ethereum Layer 1 will continue functioning throughout the entire deprecation process.
The team confirmed that:
• user funds are not at risk
• L1 withdrawals will remain available
• no forced migration is happening at this stage
• ZKsync Lite will stay live during the transition period
A detailed deprecation and migration plan will be shared sometime in 2026.
ZKsync Lite’s Role as a Proof-of-Concept
According to ZKsync, ZKsync Lite successfully fulfilled its original mission. It served as a groundbreaking proof-of-concept that validated multiple core ideas behind building scalable ZK-rollups in real production environments.
ZKsync described Lite as the foundation that:
• proved ZK-rollups could operate at scale
• tested real-world cryptographic assumptions
• stress-tested infrastructure under heavy usage
• demonstrated feasible UX for zero-knowledge systems
With this mission now complete, the project is shifting all long-term development focus toward its next-generation architecture.
The Future Focus Shifts to ZK Stack and the Broader ZKsync Network
ZKsync confirmed that its future roadmap is fully centered on:
• the ZKsync network
• ZK Stack modular infrastructure
• privacy-focused Prividiums
• next-generation zero-knowledge execution environments
These systems are designed to serve as the long-term backbone of ZKsync’s scaling strategy for Ethereum and beyond.
The upcoming roadmap reflects a shift from experimental infrastructure toward highly modular, production-grade ZK networks built for mass adoption.
What Comes Next for Users and Developers
ZKsync stated that full timelines, concrete dates, and step-by-step migration guidance will be shared in the future. For now, the current announcement is intended purely as an early notice to the community.
Developers and users are encouraged to:
• monitor upcoming migration updates
• avoid unnecessary panic or rushed withdrawals
• continue using ZKsync Lite normally
• begin familiarizing themselves with the broader ZKsync ecosystem
The transition is expected to be gradual rather than abrupt.
Market Impact and Strategic Implications
The planned sunset of ZKsync Lite signals a broader industry trend: early-generation Layer 2 solutions are being phased out in favor of more modular, composable, and scalable architectures.
From a strategic perspective, the move highlights:
• the maturation of ZK-rollup technology
• the shift from monolithic L2s to modular ZK stacks
• rising demand for privacy-preserving execution
• Ethereum’s continued evolution toward multi-rollup ecosystems
Rather than signaling weakness, the deprecation reflects technical confidence in ZKsync’s next-generation stack.
BTCUSA Comment
ZKsync Lite played a historically important role in proving that zero-knowledge rollups could operate in real-world conditions. Its planned retirement in 2026 is not a shutdown driven by failure, but a natural evolution toward more advanced and modular ZK infrastructure.
As the ecosystem transitions toward ZK Stack-based networks and Prividiums, ZKsync is positioning itself as one of the core providers of next-generation scaling and privacy solutions for Ethereum. BTCUSA will continue tracking migration plans, ecosystem growth, and adoption metrics as the transition unfolds.
