ZKsync 2026 Ambitions: From Privacy to Interoperability, Three Pillars Building a Complete ZK Ecosystem

ZKsync has unveiled its 2026 roadmap, demonstrating a comprehensive layout of the ZK track through upgrades in three core areas. The privacy chain infrastructure Prividium will evolve from a privacy engine to enterprise-level infrastructure, ZK Stack will transition from an independent chain to an interconnected ecosystem, and the open-source proof system Airbender will upgrade from a high-speed zkVM to a universal standard. This is not only a technical roadmap update but also a strategic turning point for ZKsync from technological breakthroughs to practical applications.

Prividium: From Privacy Engine to Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure

Prividium’s upgrade path is clear: build on privacy as a default foundation and develop enterprise-level cryptographic technology. According to the roadmap, Prividium will directly integrate with enterprise systems and workflows, making privacy application deployment as simple as deploying standard enterprise infrastructure.

This positioning is crucial. Traditional privacy solutions often face usability issues, while Prividium aims to lower the adoption barrier for enterprises. Through deep integration with existing enterprise systems, Prividium is expected to become a bridge connecting TradFi (traditional finance) with on-chain privacy needs. According to the latest news, ZKsync’s CEO confirmed that this is to enable Prividium to handle TradFi-scale capital flows.

ZK Stack: From Single Chain to Interconnected Ecosystem

The evolution of ZK Stack points toward interoperability. The shift from an independent chain to a collaborative system means that application chains become the core component of the stack rather than isolated entities.

Key innovations include:

• Seamless operation of applications across public and private ZK chains
• Native integration of liquidity and shared infrastructure without cross-chain bridges
• Over 20 ZK chains collaborating via Elastic Network

This addresses the core pain points in multi-chain ecosystems—fragmented liquidity and cross-chain friction. By sharing infrastructure, applications within the ZKsync ecosystem can achieve better capital efficiency.

Airbender: From Speed to Trust Standard

Airbender, an open-source RISC-V proof system, is evolving from a “high-speed zkVM” to a “general standard.” This upgrade signifies a focus not only on speed but also on security, formal rigor, and developer experience.

Importantly, Airbender is not only serving ZKsync and Ethereum but also targeting applications outside the crypto domain. This is a key step for ZK technology to go mainstream—making proof systems a universal infrastructure rather than limited to on-chain applications.

Strategic Intent Behind the Roadmap

The core logic of this roadmap is a triad of privacy, interoperability, and proof systems, forming a complete closed loop from underlying infrastructure to application layer.

The current state supports this ambition. According to the latest news, Gravity, built on ZKsync, has processed over $135 million in transaction volume (since its mainnet testing launched in 2024), reflecting actual institutional demand for ZK infrastructure. Over 20 chains are already running on Elastic Network, indicating rapid ecosystem expansion.

ZKsync’s CEO previously confirmed that 2026 is the “Year of ZK,” and this roadmap is a concrete reflection of that judgment.

Summary

ZKsync’s 2026 roadmap is not merely a technical upgrade but a strategic shift from “proof systems” to a “full ecosystem.” Prividium addresses enterprise privacy needs, ZK Stack solves cross-chain interoperability, and Airbender aims to establish a universal proof standard. Together, they form a synergy targeting the same goal: to move ZK technology from the lab to large-scale practical deployment.

Crucially, these goals are not castles in the air. Institutions are already using ZKsync for real transactions, and the ecosystem has over 20 chains. The remaining question is whether ZKsync can execute these upgrades as planned by 2026 and how the market perceives the overall ZK track.