Three Initiatives Leading the Zero-Knowledge Revolution
1. Polygon Miden — The EVM Escape Hatch
Why It Matters
- First STARK-based ZK-rollup fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
- Operates as a sovereign chain—no need for Ethereum.
- Handles up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) vs. Ethereum’s ~30 TPS.
Adoption Signal
Starbucks is testing Miden for a blockchain-based NFT loyalty program.
2. zkSync’s Custom ZK Chains — Change Control of Ethereum
Breakthrough Tech
- Allows custom ZK-chains to settle on zkSync instead of Ethereum.
- Achieves sub-cent transaction fees with near-instant finality.
- Supports AI-native smart contracts that train ML models on-chain.
💡 Game-Changer
Over 100 Hyperchains are currently in development on zkSync.
3. Scroll — The Dark Horse
Secret Weapon
- Offers bytecode-level EVM equivalence (better than optimistic rollups).
- Uses proverless ZK-tech, eliminating the need for expensive proof computation.
- Backed by Sequoia and Polychain Capital.
📈 Traction
Uniswap and Aave are planning native deployments on Scroll.
Why This Threatens Ethereum
| Metric | Ethereum L1 | ZK 2.0 Chains |
| TPS | ~30 | 10,000+ |
| Avg Fee | $5+ | < $0.01 |
| Finality | ~12 mins | < 2 sec |
| Sovereignty | Dependent on ETH | Independent |
The Layer-2 narrative is becoming obsolete. These ZK-Rollups 2.0 don’t need Ethereum for security—they’re building new chains, not just scaling ETH.
How to Position Yourself Before the Flip
1. Bet on the Infrastructure
- $MATIC – Polygon’s multi-chain dominance.
- $ZKS – zkSync’s hyperchain token.
- Scroll – No token yet, but early users may qualify for future airdrops.
2. Ditch Expensive Ethereum L2s
- Move DeFi positions to native ZK chains.
- Use ZK DEXs (e.g., Miden’s upcoming AMM) with built-in privacy.
3. Watch for the “ZK Switch”
- Coinbase adds a ZK 2.0 chain.
- Uniswap launches on Scroll.
- Stablecoins migrate from Ethereum to ZK-native chains.
That’s when Ethereum’s decline begins.
Risks & Counterarguments
“Ethereum has a strong network effect.”
→ So did MySpace. ZK 2.0 chains offer actual scalability.
“ETH will upgrade too!”
→ Dencun helped—but ZK-Rollup 2.0 chains are already 100x ahead.
The Bottom Line
Ethereum had its moment. The next bull run belongs to ZK-Rollups 2.0:
- Real-world usage
- Revolutionary performance
- Independence from ETH’s bottlenecks
Tools & Resources
- Free ZK Portfolio Tracker — track migration across chains
- ZK Investment Guide — airdrops, nodes, alpha plays
