# zkSync

By [Pabitra Kumar Das](https://paragraph.com/@pabitra-kumar-das) · 2023-03-20

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zkSync is a [layer-2 scaling solution](https://boxmining.com/understanding-layer-2-scaling-solutions-arbitrum-boba-optimism-polygon-ethereum-2-0/) designed to speed up transactions and lower gas fees on [Ethereum](https://boxmining.com/ethereum-2/). zkSync also has a huge ecosystem of dapps built on it- but no token yet. So, getting ready for a potential zkSync airdrop could entitle you to both a zkSync ($ZKS) and an ecosystem project airdrop! Here’s how to get a potential zkSync ($ZKS) token and ecosystem airdrop and DOUBLE your rewards.

Check out our [Upcoming Crypto Airdrops](https://boxmining.com/upcoming-crypto-airdrops/)! And our video guide on how to get the zkSync $ZKS token airdrop!

Table of Contents

*   [What is zkSync?](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#What_is_zkSync)
    
    *   [What is a Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Rollup?](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#What_is_a_Zero-Knowledge_ZK_Rollup)
        
*   [Does zkSync have a Token?](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Does_zkSync_have_a_Token)
    
*   [Is there a zkSync ($ZKS) Token Airdrop?](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Is_there_a_zkSync_ZKS_Token_Airdrop)
    
*   [How to Receive Potential zkSync ($ZKS) Token Airdrop?](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#How_to_Receive_Potential_zkSync_ZKS_Token_Airdrop)
    
    *   [Add zkSync Era Alpha Testnet on MetaMask](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Add_zkSync_Era_Alpha_Testnet_on_MetaMask)
        
    *   [Get Testnet Tokens](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Get_Testnet_Tokens)
        
    *   [Interact with zkSync Lite](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Interact_with_zkSync_Lite)
        
    *   [Bridge Funds to zkSync](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Bridge_Funds_to_zkSync)
        
    *   [Interact with the zkSync ecosystem](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Interact_with_the_zkSync_ecosystem)
        
    *   [Donate on Gitcoin](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Donate_on_Gitcoin)
        
*   [How to identify and avoid zkSync airdrop scams](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#How_to_identify_and_avoid_zkSync_airdrop_scams)
    
*   [ZkSync Airdrop Review](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#ZkSync_Airdrop_Review)
    
*   [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs)
    

zkSync is a [layer-2 scaling solution](https://boxmining.com/understanding-layer-2-scaling-solutions-arbitrum-boba-optimism-polygon-ethereum-2-0/) designed to speed up transactions and lower gas fees on the [Ethereum](https://boxmining.com/ethereum-2/) network while maintaining high security and privacy for users. It does this through [Zero-Knowledge Rollup (ZK-Rollup)](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/scaling/zk-rollups/) — transactions on Ethereum are bundled up to be processed off-chain and then sent back to the main chain after validation.

zkSync is developed by [Matter Labs](https://matter-labs.io/). The company was co-founded in 2019 by [Alex Gluchowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gluchowski/?originalSubdomain=ae) and [Alexandr Vlasov](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandr-vlasov-4863404a/?originalSubdomain=ca). Matter Labs has raised over $58 million. Their latest funding was raised on 8th November 2021 from a [Series B round](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2021/11/08/andreessen-horowitz-leads-50m-funding-round-for-matter-labs/) led by [Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)](https://a16z.com/). Other major investors include [Dragonfly Capital](https://www.dragonfly.xyz/), [Placeholder](https://www.placeholder.vc/), [1kx](https://1kx.network/), and more.

The ZK-rollup is the core element of zkSync. ZK-rollups generate cryptographic proofs ([ZK-SNARK](https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.06877) or [ZK-STARK](https://eprint.iacr.org/2018/046)) to verify transactions without revealing the information itself, hence the name “zero-knowledge proofs.” It maintains privacy by making transaction details such as token amounts anonymous. It is also highly secure because compressed transaction data are stored on-chain.

Unlike other layer-2 solutions, zkSync relies on math instead of third-party validators to scale computation. Validators are known as “operators” or “sequencers” and are [in charge of executing, aggregating, and submitting transactions to the main chain](https://docs.zksync.io/zkevm/#what-is-a-zk-rollup:~:text=%23-,How%20secure%20is%20a%20ZK%20Rollup%3F,%23,-How%20scalable%20is), but they do not validate the transactions themselves — the Ethereum smart contract does. By relying on math and cryptographic security, zkSync ensures a truly secure and trustless environment for [decentralized finance (DeFi)](https://boxmining.com/defi/#:~:text=Decentralized%20Finance%20\(DeFi\)%20is%20a,cost%20with%20potentially%20higher%20returns.).

There is no zkSync token YET. But the ticker will potentially be [$ZKS](https://docs.zksync.io/userdocs/). On 16th February 2023, zkSync launched its Fair Onboarding Alpha, with Full Launch Alpha of zkSync 2.0 i.e. zkSync Era in Q2 2023. Meanwhile, zkSync 1.0 will be renamed zkSync Lite.

There is no zkSync ($ZKS) token airdrop yet. Currently, the zkSync Era mainnet is closed, but registered projects can deploy and test their dapps there. Users can also test zkSync Lite.

The best chance to receive $ZKS airdrop is to interact with zkSync Lite. Moreover, many projects in the zkSync ecosystem also do not have a token yet. So interacting with their ecosystem dapps may entitle you to potential airdrops from zkSync **and** the ecosystem project. Here’s how to receive a potential zkSync token airdrop:

1.  Add zkSync Era Alpha Testnet on MetaMask.
    
2.  Get Testnet Tokens.
    
3.  Interact with zkSync Lite.
    
4.  Bridge Funds to zkSync.
    
5.  Interact with the zkSync ecosystem.
    

You will need to connect zkSync Era alpha testnet to your MetaMask. To do this, go to your MetaMask and click on the network button, then “Add network”. Then, click “Add a network manually”. Add the following information and click “Save”:

*   Network Name: zkSync Era Testnet
    
*   New RPC URL: [https://zksync2-testnet.zksync.dev](https://zksync2-testnet.zksync.dev)
    
*   Chain ID: 280
    
*   Currency Symbol: ETH
    
*   Block Explorer URL: [https://goerli.explorer.zksync.io/](https://goerli.explorer.zksync.io/)
    

_Add zkSync Era Alpha Mainnet on MetaMask_

Go to [https://goerli.portal.zksync.io/faucet](https://goerli.portal.zksync.io/faucet). It will require you to have a Twitter account to claim their testnet tokens. Note the Twitter account is (1) not new, (2) has engaged in previous Twitter activities, and (3) has a profile picture. You will then get Goerli ETH, [DAI](https://boxmining.com/maker-mkr-dai/), [LINK](https://boxmining.com/chainlink-link-guide/), [USDC](https://boxmining.com/stablecoin-comparisons-which-is-the-best/), and [wBTC](https://boxmining.com/celsius-network-cel-collapse-the-end-of-centralized-defi/#:~:text=WBTC%20as%20DAI,the%20Maker%20protocol.). Remember these are testnet tokens with no value.

[_portal.zksync.io/_](https://portal.zksync.io/)

Currently, only whitelist addresses are allowed to deposit on mainnet. However, any user can use zkSync Lite (formerly known as zkSync 1.0). This can be a potential way for users to get a zkSync airdrop even though they missed the whitelist. To interact with zkSync Lite, connect your L1 ETH wallet on [zkSync Lite](https://lite.zksync.io/) (note the single-time account activation fee of 1.279 USDT). Then, interact by moving your balances from L1 on zkSync Lite by depositing ETH or USDT. Or, withdraw your funds back from zkSync Lite to L1.

If you have Goerli ETH, you can bridge them to zkSync at [portal.zksync.io/bridge](https://portal.zksync.io/bridge). If you do not have Goerli ETH, you can use several faucets such as [goerlifaucet.com](https://goerlifaucet.com/), [goerli-faucet.mudit.blog](https://goerli-faucet.mudit.blog/) or [goerli-faucet.pk910.de](https://goerli-faucet.pk910.de/).

zkSync has an entire ecosystem of protocols. Here are some top zkSync ecosystem projects you could interact with to maximise your chances of a potential zkSync airdrop and even double your rewards:

1.  Mute.io
    
2.  [Orbiter Finance](https://boxmining.com/orbiter-finance-token-airdrop/)
    
3.  [ZigZag Exchange](https://boxmining.com/zigzag-exchange-zz-token-airdrop/)
    
4.  Argent
    
5.  MintSquare
    
6.  [Onchain Trade](https://boxmining.com/onchain-trade-ot-token-airdrop/)
    
7.  [SyncSwap](https://boxmining.com/syncswap-token-airdrop-guide/)
    
8.  SpaceFi
    

Mute.io

On mute.io, you can swap tokens, buy $MUTE, add liquidity and stake to potentially get a zkSync airdrop. You will need testnet tokens for this (see [here](https://boxmining.com/zksync-token/#Get_Testnet_Tokens_via_zkSync_Faucet) for a guide). Then, connect your wallet to [https://app.mute.io/](https://t.co/AdAGgEva27)– you will need to be on the zkSync network.

To swap tokens and buy $MUTE go to [Swap](https://app.mute.io/swap). To add liquidity to the MUTE pool, go to [Pool](https://app.mute.io/pool) and click “Add Liquidity”, choose $MUTE and $ETH, then click “Manage” to go to the MLP (MUTE/WETH) pool. There, deposit some MUTE and ETH. To stake, go to the [DAO](https://app.mute.io/dao) tab and lock up your $MUTE. You can also go to [Amplifier](https://app.mute.io/amplifier/0x10cC3Ec960726948B3491AC32a44980C7C9D5c30) to stake your MUTE/ETH LP.

Orbiter Finance

[Orbiter Finance](https://www.orbiter.finance/) is a decentralized cross-rollup layer-2 bridge that supports zkSync as well as [Arbitrum](https://boxmining.com/arbitrum-token/). You can send [ETH](https://boxmining.com/ethereum-2/), [MATIC](https://boxmining.com/polygon-matic/), [BNB](https://boxmining.com/binance-exchange-review/) and other tokens to zkSync and other layer-2 blockchains via the bridge. However, these are mainnet tokens (with value) since the bridge is live, but you can always bridge them back to Ethereum. Check out our [Orbiter Finance Token Airdrop Guide](https://boxmining.com/orbiter-finance-token-airdrop/).

[_orbiter.finance_](https://www.orbiter.finance/)

ZigZag Exchange

[ZigZag Exchange](https://trade.zigzag.exchange/?market=ETH-USDC&network=zksync) is an orderbook decentralized exchange (DEX) powered by ZK-rollups. You can use your testnet tokens to trade on ZigZag Exchange. ZigZag Exchange have just finished their second round of airdrops (out of 7). So check out our [ZigZag Exchange ($ZZ) token airdrop guide](https://boxmining.com/zigzag-exchange-zz-token-airdrop/) so you won’t miss out on their future airdrops!

[_ZigZag Exchange_](https://trade.zigzag.exchange/?market=ETH-USDC&network=zksync)

Argent

[Argent](https://www.argent.xyz/) is a mobile crypto wallet built on zkSync for Ethereum DApps. To set up and use Argent wallet, [download the app](https://t.co/SIddqfu5xk) and setup your wallet. The username will be used to receive funds where you can send USDC from your zkSync wallet to your Argent wallet: \[username\].argent.xyz. Once you have USDC in your Argent wallet, you can use different DeFi protocols on the platform to earn yields such as [Yearn Finance](https://boxmining.com/yfi-yield-farming/), [Aave](https://boxmining.com/aave-lend/), and [Gro Protocol](https://www.gro.xyz/#/).

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*Originally published on [Pabitra Kumar Das](https://paragraph.com/@pabitra-kumar-das/zksync)*