ZKsync is preparing for an important infrastructure step. From January 7, 2026, the network will completely discontinue support for Etherscan for ZKsync Era and will transfer all on-chain data to its own native explorer. This includes blocks, transactions, contracts, and API access for developers.
The solution reflects not a one-time technical update, but a strategic turnaround. ZKsync is moving further away from the classic EVM model and is building an ecosystem where standard tools no longer cope with the architectural complexity of the network.
Why Etherscan is no longer suitable
Over the past year, ZKsync has transformed from a single network into a system of interconnected chains. Transactions can pass through multiple chains, combine into inter-network packets, and be completed either through the ZKsync Gateway or directly in Ethereum.
This logic breaks the habitual model of 'one transaction — one chain', on which most explorers are built. Etherscan cannot correctly index interop transactions, flexible calculation paths, and new compilers like solx.
The native ZKsync explorer, on the contrary, understands the protocol at the execution level. It shows the execution context, calculation routes, and inter-network state in a single interface. For developers, this means more accurate data and fewer workarounds.
Fewer external dependencies
The abandonment of Etherscan fits into the broader course of ZKsync towards reducing external dependencies. In 2026, the protocol bets on its own coordination at the network level, rather than on universal tools designed for simple EVM scenarios.
For developers, this is a direct signal. All projects using the Etherscan API must switch to native ZKsync tools by January 2026. Otherwise, access to data will be lost.
The utility of the token goes beyond voting
Infrastructure changes are running parallel to the restructuring of the ZK token logic. Throughout 2025, the ZKsync team laid the groundwork for utility that is not limited by governance through DAO.
The focus is shifting to interoperability and licensing. As public and private ZKsync chains begin to coordinate with each other, fees and license payments arise at the protocol level.
The further logic is simple. These streams can be directed towards token burning, staking rewards, or funding the ecosystem. The value of the token begins to depend not on the number of votes, but on how much coordination and calculations the network processes.
Institutional focus and privacy
In 2025, ZKsync actively promoted solutions for institutional users. One of the key outcomes was Prividium — a tool for launching private chains while preserving execution and state confidentiality.
At the same time, validity is still confirmed in Ethereum, which maintains public verifiability. This makes the model attractive for banks, asset managers, and corporate applications.
The Atlas update has accelerated the entire execution and proof cycle, bringing the network closer to the goals of 15,000 transactions per second and almost instantaneous finality. Airbender has reduced hardware requirements and simplified deployment. Throughout the year, real production deployments from institutional and regional projects appeared on the network.
The price of ZK and a look at 2026
Amid these changes, the ZK token remains under pressure. Since the historic peak over two years ago, the price has dropped by more than 90%. The asset is currently trading near $0.027.
Nevertheless, infrastructure shifts, the abandonment of universal solutions, and the transition to protocol coordination can become the foundation for forming a bottom. In 2026, the value of ZKsync will increasingly be determined not by promises, but by the role the network plays in real calculations and corporate scenarios.
