Vitalik Buterin Backs ZKsync: Driving Layer 2 Expansion and Unlocking Investment Opportunities

The recent show of support for

from co-founder Vitalik Buterin has generated considerable within the Layer 2 scaling sector, establishing the platform as a pivotal force in Ethereum’s ongoing development. Buterin’s public commendation of ZKsync’s Atlas upgrade—describing the team’s achievements as “underrated and valuable”—has not only affirmed the project’s technical progress but also heightened its attractiveness to institutional investors and developers in search of scalable blockchain solutions, as noted in a
. This article examines how recognition from leading crypto architects, such as Buterin, can drive tangible adoption and investment, using ZKsync as a prime example.

Technical Innovations: Atlas Upgrade Transforms Ethereum Liquidity

Launched in late October 2025, ZKsync’s Atlas upgrade marks a significant leap in blockchain capabilities. By allowing Layer 2 chains to tap directly into Ethereum’s liquidity, the upgrade does away with fragmented liquidity pools, making cross-chain operations more efficient and reducing capital waste, according to the

. Notable performance indicators include over 15,000 transactions per second, one-second zero-knowledge finality, and minimal transaction fees, positioning it as an appealing infrastructure for institutional and real-world asset (RWA) use cases, as reported by the
.

This advancement supports Ethereum’s broader ambition to serve as a real-time liquidity center. According to Alex Gluchowski, ZKsync’s founder, the upgrade’s enterprise-level scalability and interoperability address major challenges in decentralized finance (DeFi) and business adoption, as highlighted in a

.

Market Impact: Buterin’s Support Triggers 120% Price Rally

Buterin’s backing led to a swift and notable reaction in the market. ZKsync’s token value soared by 120% within two days, peaking at $0.74 by the end of October 2025, based on a

. Trading activity jumped 1,500%, and the project’s market capitalization reached $600 million, the highest in six months, as detailed in the
. Experts attribute this surge to the trust and credibility Buterin’s endorsement brings to ZKsync’s technical direction, especially in a market wary of speculative Layer 2 ventures.

This price movement demonstrates growing investor confidence in ZKsync’s potential to secure a substantial portion of Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem. Although the token later corrected to $0.051, technical signals such as the Aroon and RSI indicate a possible recovery to $0.085, fueled by ongoing demand for scalable solutions, according to the

.

Tokenomics Overhaul: Evolving from Governance to Value-Driven Asset

Alongside these technical strides, ZKsync’s founder has suggested a major revamp of the

token’s economic model, aiming to turn it into a value-accruing asset. The new approach involves using revenue generated by the network to buy back and burn tokens, introducing deflationary effects and enhancing scarcity, as outlined in the
. Moreover, part of the revenue will support staking incentives and ecosystem growth, fostering a sustainable economic system, according to the
.

This change reflects the successful tokenomics seen in projects like

and , where utility-focused tokens have outperformed those centered solely on governance. By tying token value to network activity, ZKsync seeks to attract both long-term investors and institutional funds.

Adoption Trends: Growth and Ongoing Challenges

Despite ZKsync’s impressive technical and economic advancements, adoption figures show a mixed picture. The number of daily active addresses rose by 26% in the month after Buterin’s endorsement, yet remains modest at 10,400, according to a

. The Total Value Locked (TVL) on ZKsync’s mainnet is $44.55 million, while the Elastic Network’s aggregate TVL across 18 chains stands at $3.3 billion, highlighting its expanding influence as a B2B infrastructure provider, as reported by the
.

The introduction of Prividium, a private Layer 2 network designed for institutions, has further accelerated adoption. More than 30 leading organizations, including Citi and Mastercard, have already adopted the platform, indicating ZKsync’s potential to connect traditional finance with blockchain technology, as detailed in a

.

Summary: The Power of Architect Endorsement in Driving Adoption

Vitalik Buterin’s support for ZKsync illustrates the significant impact that validation from leading crypto figures can have on real-world adoption and investment. By endorsing ZKsync’s technical strengths and economic framework, Buterin has not only enhanced the project’s reputation but also underscored its importance in Ethereum’s roadmap. As Layer 2 solutions become ever more vital for Ethereum’s scalability and integration of real-world assets, platforms like ZKsync—backed by both innovation and influential leaders—are well-positioned to lead the market.

For investors, the blend of robust infrastructure, deflationary tokenomics, and strategic alliances makes ZKsync a standout example of how recognition from top industry minds can drive substantial value creation.