ZK-Sync: A Vision for Scalability on Layer 2 Blockchain

ZK-Sync, based on the ZK roll-up architecture, aims to provide a scalable solution for blockchains, focusing on mass user adoption. With ZK-Sync, the goal is to achieve trustless security, high throughput, and properties that make scaling useful for mass user adoption. The system offers a mixture of trade-offs and additions beyond a pure roll-up, resulting in what they call the 'full package' of how scaling should work on layer 2 blockchains. ZK-Sync is designed to be lightweight client-friendly, allowing users to easily verify transactions without the need for heavy computational or bandwidth capacities. The consensus mechanism in ZK-Sync relies on validators who produce blocks and guardians who ensure validators don't engage in censorship. The validators and guardians participate in a governance system to secure the network. ZK-Sync will have its own token, and users can seamlessly bring ERC-20 tokens onto the platform. While privacy is not a priority at this stage, ZK-Sync plans to gradually introduce privacy features to the platform, offering privacy as a basic feature for personalized finance. The current test environment shows potential throughput of up to 10,000 transactions per second, and the goal is to achieve high speed, low-cost transaction processing. ZK-Sync is being built with a focus on user experience and developer experience, taking inspiration from companies like Stripe and Twilio, aiming to provide users with simplicity and smooth interactions. The long-term vision is to combine scalability with privacy, allowing for private smart contracts and confidential transactions on the platform. While initially built for Ethereum, ZK-Sync can potentially be deployed on other blockchains as well.