Introducing ZKnomics: A Vision for Protocol-Aligned Tokenomics
Over the past month, ZKsync has been rolling out key infrastructure upgrades. Each one builds towards a faster, more composable and more decentralized onchain ecosystem.
From ZKsync Gateway to EVEM Equivalence, from ZKsync Prividium to solx, the foundations of a natively interoperable elastic network are taking shape. These launches signal the protocol’s readiness to scale, and they lay critical groundwork for what comes next.
To support this transformation, a new tokenomics framework is being proposed: ZKnomics.
ZKnomics is designed to align ZK with the long-term health and sustainability of the protocol. It proposes a system where network usage drives protocol revenue, and that revenue is programmatically directed toward two core functions: incentivizing protocol participants and managing token supply.
Key Features of ZKnomics
Usage-Driven-Revenue
- Sequencer and interoperability activity on ZKsync Chains is designed to generate protocol fees.
- These fees would be collected automatically at the protocol level via Gateway and Shared Bridge contracts.
Programmatic Distribution
- Protocol fees would be allocated through two mechanisms: a burn function to manage supply, and staking rewards to support decentralized liveness.
- Governance would control all key parameters, including fee splits and staking rules.
Gradual Implementation
ZKnomics will be rolled out in stages, each dependent on the successful delivery of technical infrastructure and onchain governance approval. These stages include:
- Authorizing permissionless staking (ZIP)
- Upgrading the token contract with a public burn mechanism via protocol upgrade (ZIP)
- Enabling sequencer and interop fee switches (ZIP)
- Finalizing allocation rules via governance proposal (ZIP)
Each stage will unlock a new layer of utility and incentive alignment for the ZK token.
What Comes Next?
The foundation for ZKnomics is now in place. In the coming weeks, the ZKsync Foundation will work with the ZKsync Association and the Matter Labs engineering team to formalize a proposed roadmap to implement the changes outlined above. Every major component will be proposed through transparent, onchain governance processes, and much will be tied to the delivery of core protocol infrastructure.
Some of that infrastructure is already live. More is on the way.
As new capabilities roll out, from radically faster proving to new forms of cross-chain coordination, they will unlock the next chapter of ZKnomics: permissionless staking, usage-based protocol fees, supply management, and more.
This is a long-term vision, but one that reflects where the protocol is headed—and how the ZK token can evolve to support it.
We look forward to the community discussion of the proposed vision!
Why Now?
The momentum of recent launches has brought ZKsync to an inflection point.
Gateway is live, enabling a shared proof aggregation layer for all ZKsync Chains. EVM Equivalence is here, unlocking a seamless developer experience. Institutions are already building with Prividium. And next week, the final pieces of this technical puzzle will begin to fall into place.
With the protocol evolving quickly, it’s essential that the token evolves with it.
ZKnomics is a long-term vision for how ZK can secure the network, reward meaningful participation and reinforce the sustainability of the ecosystem. Systems like Gateway, Airbender, and ZKsync OS are live or soon to be live. These systems will enable decentralized staking, fast and secure interoperability, and cross-chain coordination—all of which are prerequisites for a sustainable protocol economy.
As these systems come online, it is important to align protocol incentives with their use. This post outlines a high-level vision for how that alignment can take shape.