ZKsync interoperability is a native interoperability layer that could revolutionize DeFi.
It was launched yesterday by ZKsync thanks to the Atlas upgrade, and it allows everything ZK chains to deal with naturally DeFi on Ethereum.
It was introduced as a solution that avoids the so-called ‘cold start’ of new chains, allowing direct access to liquidity on Ethereum, while maintaining its own private environment.
Skip the cold start.
Launching a new chain usually means starting without liquidity. That ends today.
With ZKsync Interop powered by our Atlas upgrade, all ZK Chains can communicate natively with @Ethereum DeFi.
This means enterprises are using Prividiums to tap into Ethereum… pic.twitter.com/nMuwJarGUe
— ZKsync (@zksync) December 4, 2025
What is ZKsync interoperability
Technically it is one Layer-2 protocol on Ethereum based on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK).
It is designed to solve fragmentation issues between different blockchains, to the extent possible ZK networks within the ZK rollup ecosystem “Elastic network” to communicate directly with each other and transact at the protocol level, eliminating the need for third-party bridges that often pose security risks and a complicated user experience.
This way ZKsync interoperability makes ZK blockchains more scalable, secure, and interconnected from the ground up, making the safety of Ethereum without the need for third-party tools or compromises.
How it works under the hood:
– Assets are withdrawn to an alias account on Ethereum within minutes.
– An interop transaction bundle is prepared and executed, depositing funds into Aave on Ethereum and borrowing GHO.
– Optionally, users can link the borrowed tokens back to the L2… pic.twitter.com/B59cdrS6NC— ZKsync (@zksync) December 4, 2025
The underlying technology
Currently, users, apps, and liquidity in DeFi are spread across several separate chains.
This leads in particular to fragmentation of capital and to bad experiences dependence on third-party bridges that are vulnerable to hacks.
ZKsync interoperability aims to completely change this scenario, making the entire network “elastic”, as if it were a single, unified chain.
It is based on a shared bridge, aptly named Shared bridgecapable natively connecting all ZK networks to layer 1 of Ethereum directly within the protocol, completely avoiding the need to use external bridges.
In addition, it is also equipped with a mechanism that allows direct communication between different ZK chains, called ZK gatewaythat supports seamless cross-chain transactions such as token swaps between different chains.
Finally, it supports different levels of complexity, ranging from simple asset transfers to atomic operations, including simple cross-chain swaps to data synchronization.
The revolution
Some things that are possible with ZK Interop have never been feasible without relying on third-party tools until now.
For example, it will be natively possible to synchronize banking instructions for multiple banks, post-trade atomic confirmations for securities, or ISO 20022 messages for cross-border payments.
But initially, it will be decentralized finance that will benefit the most.
First of all, it could putting an end to liquidity fragmentation across different chainssuch as Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Solana, Cosmos, etc.
It would achieve this by all ZK chains in a unique and fluid environment where it will be possible to exchange different tokens between a chain ZKsync and another with just one click and in less than a second.
There will no longer be a need to use packaged tokens and bridges, and there will be no need to pay different fees for different chains.
In this way, liquidity can indeed become unique and shared, just like on centralized exchanges, while remaining in a decentralized environment with Ethereum as the central hub.
For now, however, there is only a public demo available to test native interoperability, but sooner or later it should be usable by everyone.
The Atlas Update: Where the Revolution Began
All this was made possible by the Atlas upgrade from ZKsync.
This is the most important upgrade of the ZKsync ZK stackand it was released between late October and early November. It represents a significant leap forward for the scalability and interoperability of ZK blockchains.
This update introduces a modular architecture that addresses the ‘cold start’ of new ZK chains, most notably enabling immediate access to Ethereum L1 liquidity without bootstrapping or bridge.
Takes care of one throughput speed up to 15,000 transactions per second (TPS)of peaks of 30,000 TPS achieved during testing.
Furthermore, it reduces costs to negligible levels, less than one-thousandth of a dollar per transaction.
Enable native interactions between ZK Chains and DeFi on Ethereumthis update also launched ZKsync interoperability possible.
It allows users to sign transactions exclusively on his computer layer-2while at the same time giving you access to the Ethereum layer-1 without any network switch.
Finally thanks to Prividiumit allows the creation of private chains that can leverage Ethereum’s liquidity while maintaining their own isolation.
This update was immediately praised by Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterine as an important step forward secure and interoperable ZK scaling.
ZKsync has done a lot of underrated and valuable work in the ethereum ecosystem. I’m glad to see this coming from them! https://t.co/coZKCfsb8h
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 1, 2025