ZKsync to Retire ZKsync Lite in 2026: The End of an Era for a Scaling Pioneer

ZKsync Lite is getting the sunset treatment. The scaling solution that helped pioneer zero-knowledge proofs on Ethereum will officially retire in 2026, marking a strategic pivot for the ecosystem.

From Pioneer to Legacy

The move signals a full-throttle shift towards ZKsync Era, its more advanced successor. Lite served as a critical proof-of-concept, demonstrating that ZK-rollups could drastically cut fees and bypass mainnet congestion. Now, the foundation is pulling the plug to consolidate development and user activity.

What the Phase-Out Means

Users and projects built on Lite face a migration deadline. The timeline gives a full year's notice—a courtesy not always seen in crypto's 'move fast and break things' playbook. Expect wallet prompts, developer guides, and likely a few nostalgic tweets for the chain that made sub-dollar transactions feel revolutionary.

A Calculated Consolidation

This isn't a failure; it's a focused upgrade. Maintaining two parallel networks splits liquidity, developer mindshare, and security resources. Retiring Lite streamlines everything into Era's more robust, feature-rich environment. It’s a classic tech lifecycle play—sunset the old to fuel the new.

The bottom line? Even in decentralized finance, products have expiration dates. The 2026 retirement closes a chapter for ZKsync, betting everything that users will follow the roadmap—and not the competition.

ZKsync has confirmed it will retire zksync Lite, previously called ZKsync 1.0, in 2026. Launched in June 2020 as Ethereum’s first zero-knowledge rollup, Lite has fulfilled its purpose. This change will allow ZKsync to focus on the broader network, ZK Stack systems, and Prividiums. Around $50 million in assets remain on Lite, with L1 withdrawals still active. The team will provide a detailed migration plan and timeline next year to ensure a smooth transition for users.