Ethereum is not just a blockchain 🧬

It is a programmable decentralized computer virtual machine (EVM) where smart contracts run deterministically and consensus enforces rules without relying on a central authority.

This is precisely why major financial institutions are building on it.

When Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, said “Every stock, every bond, every fund — every asset — can be tokenized,” he was describing a structural transformation already unfolding.

Today, billions already move across Ethereum’s rails as banks and asset managers rely on infrastructure whose rules cannot be altered. That structural role is why $ETH is described as Digital Oil for tokenisation, the foundational resource underpinning incorruptible finance.

But Ethereum is public by default.

For retail DeFi, that transparency is powerful, but for institutions, it is a constraint.

This is exactly where ZKsync comes in.

ZKsync is an Ethereum Layer 2 that uses zero-knowledge proofs to preserve verifiability while allowing data to remain confidential. Through the ZK Stack, institutions can launch customizable, enterprise-grade ZK blockchains that inherit Ethereum’s security.

The architecture is powered by Airbender, a high-performance open-source RISC-V proof system enabling near real-time verification, and extends to Prividium, which supports private institutional chains anchored to Ethereum through ZK proofs.

With the Atlas upgrade introducing 15K+ TPS and one-second ZK finality, even the official @Ethereum account highlighted these advancements as improving scalability and verification without compromising security or neutrality.

🪂 In alignment with its ZKnomics roadmap vision, ZKsync has launched the Staking Pilot Program to test core staking infrastructure and strengthen active governance participation 🗳️

Season 1 begins on February 9, 2026 and runs until early May 2026, distributing up to 10M $ZK.

APR starts at 3% and can adjust weekly up to a targeted 10%, depending on participation. Rewards stream continuously over 30-day epochs, with no lockups.

Participation follows a Delegate-to-Stake model. Rewards accrue only when your $ZK is delegated to an Active Delegate, defined as someone who has voted in at least 2 of the last 5 proposals.

Season 1 targets 400M $ZK staked, with full flexibility to stake or unstake at any time.

If successful, Season 2 is planned for Q2 2026 with a higher reward allocation of 25M $ZK.

Step by step guide ZKsync Airdrop

• Access the Staking Portal → Go to the official ZKsync staking interface and connect your wallet holding $ZK tokens. There is no minimum staking requirement.

  📌 $ZK is listed on Binance, Bybit, Bybit EU (for EU users), MEXC, Gate, Kraken, KuCoin, Bitget, For KYC-free alternatives, BloFin and Bitunix are two platforms with a strong reputation.

  💡 You can also acquire $ZK on major DEXs like Uniswap and SyncSwap. If your assets are on Ethereum, transfer them to the ZKsync Era mainnet using the official ZKsync Bridge or Rhino.fi.

• Select an Active Delegate → Choose a Delegate marked “Active”, meaning they have voted in at least 2 of the last 5 governance proposals, to earn up to 10% APR.

  💡 Season 1 has a participation target of 400M $ZK and distributes up to 10M $ZK in rewards. If approved, Season 2 is expected in Q2 2026 with a higher allocation of 25M $ZK.

  
  
  

• Stake & Confirm Delegation → Enter the amount of $ZK you wish to stake, confirm your selected Delegate, and approve the transaction.

  💡 Rewards begin accruing immediately once delegated to an Active Delegate and stream continuously over 30-day epochs.

  
  
  

• Monitor Delegate Status → If your Delegate becomes inactive, you have 7 days to re-delegate before rewards stop accruing. You can update your Delegate at any time.

  
  
  

• Claim or Restake Rewards → Rewards do not auto-compound. You may claim at any time or manually restake to compound your position, paying only standard network gas fees. Unstaking is permitted at any time with no lockup.

  
  
  

• Looking for more staking alternatives? Explore other active opportunities such as Memento, Solana, Neutrl, and Aztec Network, all offering unique participation models.

  
  
  

* Follow @ZKsync on 𝕏, and join the community on Discord to stay connected.

🔎 Looking for the next big Airdrop? Our DEX Airdrops 2026 guide has you covered 📖