What is zkSync? 

Described as a user-centric zk rollup platform, zkSync is a project from Matter Labs. It is designed as a trustless protocol that is intended to deliver scalable low-cost payments on Ethereum. zkSync is powered by zkRollup technology. It apparently uses what is called zero-knowledge proofs and on-chain data availability in order to ensure that users’ funds are stored safely which is the reason why security is a key feature of its design. In addition, zkSync does not rely on third parties for security.  

The much talked about scaling solution for Ethereum is already live on the Ethereum mainnet. zkSync has several key standout features including low transaction fees and high security since users are always in control of their funds. Their cryptographic security is meant to ensure that funds are protected as though on the Ethereum mainnet. 

Users of zkSync are able to transfer ETH to the zkSync 1.0 mainnet. From there they can then mint non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or indeed test out decentralized applications (dApps) that are getting ready to launch on the network. There are already many notable players in the zkSync ecosystem. 

What makes zkSync’s scaling approach unique is that  ZK rollup doesn’t have any upper bound on the value that it can handle in layer 2 securely. With zkSync ETH and other ERC20 token transfers can be made with instant confirmations and 10-minute finality on layer 1. Some of the supported tokens include: AMP, AAVE, AERGO, BAT, CEL, COMP, ENS, FNT, USDT, USDC, PENDLE, and many others. Fees are payable in the token that is being transferred. In zkSync there are effectively two components with regards to costs of transactions i.e. off-chain storage and prover costs and on-chan gas costs. 

Should we expect a zkSync Airdrop in 2023?

There have been many reports circulating on the potential future zkSync airdrop. In order to qualify, users can attempt processing a transfer of ETH to zkSync’s mainnet wallet. From there they can simply perform swaps on the testnet version of UniSync available on the zkEVM. There have also been rumours of the potential for a governance token to be made available to the community as the team hopes to decentralise the project. 

How to use zkSync

To use the zk rollup platform, you need to first connect your web3 wallet e.g. MetaMask. Simply go to the main portal. 

Once connected, you can access the dashboard. You will then proceed to bridge assets from Ethereum to zkSync, however, for now that process is only reserved for partners/developers deploying their projects. Average users will need to wait until Full Launch Alpha arrives to be able to start bridging assets.

You can explore the zkSync ecosystem and interact with live products building on zkSync by visiting https://ecosystem.zksync.io/

In this case, we decided to try out Orbiter bridge. You have to also connect your wallet in order to utilise the bridge.

You can give the necessary permissions for the smart contracts to interact with your wallet.

Once connected, you can choose which version you want to use i.e. v1 or v2. 

You can slide the toggle bar to switch to v2 and also to select where you want to bridge to. In this case we are choosing zkSync Lite. You can proceed to confirm the transaction and accept the gas fees. 

The bridged transaction will then be initiated. 

Once the process is completed, you can also verify using zkSync’s block explorer, zkScan.

You can also check your transaction history. 

zkSync is definitely a must-watch scaling solution and you can also check out the daily transactional data for different rollups to compare it with some of the leading solutions. 

zkSync rollup technology can also be used via wallet apps such as Argent.

There are several options for funding your wallet including Apple Pay or via your web3 wallet such as MetaMask or even via a crypto exchange such as Binance, Kraken, KuCoin, OKX, Huobi, Bittrex, etc.

For demonstration here we chose Binance exchange. 

You can proceed to confirm the swap. 

You can then send the ETH from your Binance exchange wallet as demonstrated here for example.

 

You’ll be able to choose a network to send from. In this instance we used Arbitrum for the test transaction. 

Once your order is confirmed, the withdrawal is processed. 

You can verify the transaction via the block explorer. 

Your bridged tokens should now appear in your Argent wallet. 

You can also make other transactions using your Argent wallet, e.g.  sending  some funds to your zkSync wallet address from an exchange. In this example, we sent a few dollars from Bybit exchange. 

 

 

You’ll get confirmation from Bybit or you can also check your Argent wallet to see if your transaction was successful. 

In addition, you can interact with other DApps using zkSync testnet for example Mute – a zkRollup platform where you can test out how to invest & trade, earn yields, and participate in Bonds on one decentralized platform.

You can use your web3 wallet e.g. MetaMask to connect to the testnet by simply switching from your Ethereum main net for instance. 

You can test out the swap or liquidity provisioning features. 

Playing around with the tech could make you potentially eligible for the airdrops but there are no guarantees. 

You can also check out some other platforms in the ecosystem such as the NFT platform, Mint Square.

Once you connect your wallet to the zkSync testnet, you can check out the NFT marketplace.

You can also mint NFTs. 

You may need to request funds  for this via the faucet https://goerli.portal.zksync.io/faucet 

You may get a prompt to tweet which gives zkSync visibility and who knows – maybe that will qualify you for an airdrop too. 

Alternatively, you can also mint an NFT on the zkSync Era mainnet. Simply connect your zkSync compatible wallet e.g. Braavos.

Pay the associated gas fees to proceed with minting your NFT on Mint Square.  

And just like that, you’d have successfully minted your NFT.

Using Zig Zag DEX might also be a good idea.

You may be required to pay a small transaction fee.

Use features such as the Zig Zag bridge.

Once you initiate bridging, you can approve the transaction. 

You’ll get confirmation on whether you have bridged the assets successfully from Ethereum network to zkSync. 

Also trade on Zig Zag or initiate a simple buy or sell order. 

You can simply sign the transaction to have your order processed. 

Once again, these are some of the actions that may make you eligible to receive the zkSync airdrop – if and when the project ever decides to launch an ecosystem token. But once again, there is no guarantee. 

Another of zkSync ecosystem products you can try on the testnet is Sprintcheckout. It is described as the first layer 2 e-commerce plug-in. It is currently available on the WordPress Plug-in Directory and apparently soon coming to Shopify. It is meant to facilitate cheap and fast bankless payments. 

You can make a donation on their testnet just to try it out.

 

Simply connect your wallet. You can set your $DAI spending cap from the testnet tokens. 

 

You can then pay the gas fee to approve. 

You can then continue to make your donation. 

Pay the gas fee for the transaction to proceed. 

Your transaction will then be processed. 

Again, another set of actions that could potentially make you legible for the zkSync airdrop – if and when it does manifest. 

What’s encouraging is to see these types of incentive structures built into the future of finance as they may form the basis for how new types of technological entities could be structured in the future – with early adopters being the beneficiaries. 

zkSync Era Mainnet Alpha is now open to all users. Developers, projects, and users can now experience the power of zkEVM.

To bridge assets on the mainnet, simply connect your wallet.

Once connected you can bridge from the Ethereum mainnet network to zkSync Era mainnet by making a deposit. 

You can also do a withdrawal transaction to bridge from zkSync mainnet to Ethereum mainnet make sure the bridging works both ways. 

Approve contract in your web3 wallet.

Pay the gas fee. 

Also try out Numio – a mobile application built on Ethereum and powered by zkRollups for instant and low fee transfers. Numio gives people the power to have more control over their money and digital identity, right from their pocket.

Download the app from Google Play or App Store.

Complete the required fields. 

Continue to set up your account. 

Choose your prefered security setting for accessing your wallet. 

Once your wallet is set up, transfer funds or purchase some crypto to top-up your wallet.

In this case, we tried to send a micro transaction from Argent wallet which supports zkRoll-up tech.

As you can see above, we managed to successfully top-up the wallet.

A sure way to ensure you increase your chances of being included in the snapshot for the zkSync airdrop is by bridging funds from Ethereum mainnet to zkSync Era which is the mainnet version recently launched. 

Pay the gas fee. 

You can confirm whether the bridging of assets has been successful by checking Etherscan. 

Once your have some funds on zkSync Era, you can then use platforms that are live on the Era mainnet such as SyncSwap. 

You can connect your wallet e.g. MetaMask.

You can pay the gas fees which are significantly lower than on the Layer 1 networks.

Another wallet that supports zkSync Era is imToken. Simply download the app.

Create your user ID.

Once you back up your wallet, make sure you choose the zkSync network before transacting. 

Send tokens from another zkSync enabled wallet to imToken.

 

 

 

In addition, you can use other apps in the zkSync ecosystem such as Meson – a faster way to execute low-cost, zero-slippage stablecoins cross-chain swaps between zkSync and other layer 1 and layer 2 networks.

Make sure you choose the correct network.

Set your spending cap limit.

 

Another zkSync compatible wallet is Math wallet. You can simply download the wallet on your mobile or use the browser extension.

Once your wallet is set up then create wallets under the zkSync Era mainnet from your Math wallet.

Pick an asset to deposit or bridge to your zkSync wallet address.

In the example, we transfer ETH from our MetaMask wallet via zkSync Era. 

Pay the gas fee and confirm the transaction.

As you can see here, the wallet no longer has a zero balance as the funds have been successfully sent to Math wallet from MetaMask via zkSync Era mainnet.

These actions could potentially make you eligible to receive the zkSync airdrop but as always that is not a guarantee as it all depends on the criteria. It probably better to make many transactions over time in order to increase your chances.  

Conclusion

zkSync is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, designed to address the scalability limitations of the Ethereum network. It uses zero-knowledge proofs (zk-proofs) to enable fast, low-cost transactions while maintaining the security and decentralization of the Ethereum network.

By using zk-proofs, zkSync can bundle many transactions together into a single proof, which is then submitted to the Ethereum network as a single transaction. This reduces the load on the Ethereum network, enabling faster and cheaper transactions.

In addition to its scalability benefits, zkSync also offers several other advantages over the Ethereum network, including instant finality, improved privacy, and support for smart contracts. It is developed by Matter Labs, an Ethereum-focused research and development company, and is compatible with Ethereum wallets and infrastructure.

Overall, zkSync aims to provide a scalable, secure, and user-friendly solution for decentralized applications on Ethereum, enabling a wider range of use cases and expanding the potential of the Ethereum ecosystem.