zkSync Era Mainnet Launch: Unique Architecture and Ecological Application Analysis

Recently, the zkSync Era Alpha Mainnet has officially opened to all users, attracting widespread attention from the market. According to data, the trading volume of zkSync that week was approximately 2,025,135 transactions, and the average daily trading volume over seven days reached an all-time high, with the total trading volume now exceeding 20 million transactions. This reflects users' strong interest in the network. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the current status of the zkSync Era Mainnet and the applications that have already been launched in its ecosystem.

Matter Labs, the parent company of zkSync, has completed multiple rounds of financing in 2021 and 2022, with a total funding amount reaching $458 million (including a $200 million ecosystem fund). Company executives stated that in the future token distribution plan, one-third will be allocated to employees and investors, while the remaining portion will enter the zkSync ecosystem. Notably, Matter Labs CEO Alex Gluchowski recently stated in an interview that the launch of zkSync Era does not mean an immediate token issuance. Because the network is still primarily centralized at this stage, Matter Labs still controls the sequencers and validators. It is expected that in about a year, when the sequencers need to be decentralized, consideration will be given to launching the token.

Four Unique Architectures of zkSync Era

The zkSync Era network underwent a year-long testing phase before the Mainnet launch, during which it conducted multiple security audits, public competitions, and bounty programs, amounting to a total investment of $3.8 million. Additionally, the network has implemented independent monitoring and risk mitigation mechanisms, which will continue until the Alpha phase concludes. Compared to zkSync Lite, the Era network updates four key architectures:

1. Local abstract accounts: Allow any account to pay fees using any token, and even enable zero-fee transactions on certain protocols.

2. LLVM-based EVM language compiler: Provides higher performance and a better development experience for languages such as Solidity, Vyper, and Yul.

3. Status Difference Release: Brings advantages such as data compression, more frequent oracle updates, low-cost privacy, and seamless off-chain storage expansion.

4. Super scalable superchains: Fractal-like zkEVM instances running in parallel on the L1 Mainnet, with shared settlement. Supports custom consensus, validator sets, or data availability deployments.

In addition, zkSync Era introduces a block execution delay mechanism, where each L2 block submitted to L1 has a 24-hour time lock before execution and final confirmation. This allows the team to monitor each block and address any anomalies in a timely manner.

Overview of zkSync Era Ecosystem Applications

Currently, there are over 240 applications based on or planning to deploy on the zkSync chain, covering multiple fields such as DeFi, GameFi, infrastructure, social, and public goods. Here are some major applications that have been deployed on the zkSync Era network:

1. Argent: A smart contract wallet that offers low gas fees, fast transactions, staking, and yield farming services.

2. Mute: A decentralized exchange that supports trading, staking mining, and bond acquisition. The current total locked value is approximately $1.39 million.

3. Trustless Protocol: DeFi protocol, characterized by censorship resistance, community ownership, and minimized governance. Currently in the testing phase.

4. mintsquare: NFT trading platform, supporting zkSync Era testnet and Alpha Mainnet.

5. Tevaera: A decentralized gamified metaverse, including core products such as Teva Games, Teva Core, Teva Chain, Teva DEX, and Teva Market.

6. SpaceFi: A cross-chain Web3 platform that connects the Cosmos and Layer2 ecosystems.

7. Rhino: Multi-chain DeFi aggregator, supporting trading, staking, and cross-chain operations.

8. Cross-chain bridges: Multiple cross-chain bridges have supported the zkSync Era network, including Celer, Orbiter, and multichain, among others. The official cross-chain bridge has also been launched.

Conclusion

The zkSync Era network is currently in the Alpha stage and may not issue tokens in the short term. For users, there is no need to rush to participate; they can wait for the network to further stabilize and for the application ecosystem to enrich. From the perspective of ecosystem applications, most are currently migrations of applications from other networks, with few native applications. Users interacting with ecosystem projects can prioritize applications that have not yet issued tokens to seize potential opportunities.

Finally, users need to be reminded that zkSync Era is still in its early stages and carries unknown risks. When using and interacting, please exercise caution in controlling the scale of funds and be attentive to identifying official information to prevent asset loss.