Vitalik Buterin's Endorsement of ZKsync and Its Implications for Layer 2 Scalability

In late 2025, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, publicly endorsed ZKsync, calling its work "underrated and valuable." This high-profile backing coincided with the launch of ZKsync's Atlas upgrade, which achieved 15,000 transactions per second and slashed transaction fees to nearly $0.0001. The endorsement not only amplified ZKsync's visibility but also catalyzed institutional adoption, with entities like Deutsche Bank and Sony leveraging the platform for cross-chain settlements and digital rights management. For investors, this moment marks a pivotal inflection point in assessing ZKsync's long-term potential amid Ethereum's evolving Layer 2 landscape.

ZKsync's Technological Edge and Roadmap

ZKsync's core innovation lies in its use of zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-Rollups), which bundle transactions into cryptographic proofs to reduce Ethereum's computational load while preserving security and decentralization. The platform's EVM compatibility further distinguishes it, enabling seamless integration for developers and minimizing migration costs for existing Ethereum applications.

The Atlas upgrade, which Buterin highlighted, demonstrated ZKsync's ability to scale: achieving 15,000 TPS with sub-second block times. This performance was bolstered by a RISC-V-based zkVM and enhanced liquidity sharing between Ethereum's Layer 1 and Layer 2, addressing critical bottlenecks in scalability. Looking ahead, the Fusaka upgrade, scheduled for December 3, 2025, aims to double throughput to 30,000 TPS, aligning with ZKsync's 2025-2026 roadmap to achieve EVM equivalence at the bytecode level according to its official roadmap.

ZKsync's roadmap also emphasizes developer tooling, with Boojum 2.0 and BoojumOS enabling a development environment mirroring Ethereum's Layer 1. Additionally, the platform is prioritizing interoperability between public and private ZK chains, a feature critical for enterprise adoption. These advancements position ZKsync to compete with Ethereum's other Layer 2 solutions, such as Polygon zkEVM and StarkNet, while maintaining a focus on user experience through smart wallet SDKs and Smart Sign-On (SSO) functionality.

Competitive Landscape and Market Dynamics

ZKsync operates in a crowded Layer 2 ecosystem, facing competition from projects like Taiko, Scroll, and StarkNet. StarkNet's use of STARK proofs-zero-knowledge proofs without trusted setup-offers strong security guarantees, while Polygon zkEVM emphasizes bytecode-level EVM compatibility according to industry analysis. Despite this, ZKsync's performance milestones and institutional partnerships give it a unique edge. For instance, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank have adopted ZKsync for compliance and scalability, signaling growing trust in its infrastructure.

The broader zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) market is projected to reach $7.59 billion by 2033, driven by DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise applications. ZKsync's ability to attract developer activity-up 230% in late 2025-and its focus on enterprise-grade solutions suggest it is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this growth. However, sustaining this momentum will require continuous innovation, particularly as competitors like Scroll and StarkNet advance their own roadmaps.

Investment Considerations: Price Projections and Risks

The ZK token, ZKsync's native asset, has seen a 50% price surge following Buterin's endorsement, with total value locked (TVL) reaching $3.5 billion by year-end 2025. Price predictions for 2025–2026 vary widely: bullish scenarios project $0.40–$0.60, while bearish forecasts hover around $0.10–$0.15. These divergent outcomes reflect the volatility inherent in the crypto market and the uncertainty surrounding Ethereum's broader infrastructure upgrades, such as the potential for native sharding or further EIP implementations.

For long-term investors, ZKsync's institutional adoption and technical milestones mitigate some of these risks. The platform's partnerships with entities like Crypto.com (via Cronos) and Abstract (Pudgy Penguins) according to official announcements indicate a diversified ecosystem, reducing reliance on any single market segment. However, challenges remain, including the need to maintain developer engagement and fend off competition from Ethereum's other Layer 2s.

Conclusion: A Strategic Bet on Ethereum's Future

Vitalik Buterin's endorsement of ZKsync underscores its role as a critical player in Ethereum's scalability narrative. With a robust roadmap, institutional traction, and a growing developer community, ZKsync is well-positioned to capitalize on the ZKP market's expansion. While competition is fierce, the platform's focus on performance, interoperability, and user experience provides a compelling value proposition. For investors, the key lies in balancing optimism about ZKsync's technical trajectory with caution regarding market volatility and competitive dynamics. As Ethereum's infrastructure continues to evolve, ZKsync's ability to adapt and innovate will ultimately determine its long-term success.