On November 1, 2025, the value of the ZK token soared by more than 50%, jumping from $0.03 to $0.045, after receiving a notable endorsement from
Ethereum
co-founder Vitalik Buterin, as reported by
Cryptobriefing
. This price rally occurred alongside the debut of ZKsync's Atlas upgrade, a significant infrastructure update aimed at enhancing Ethereum’s scalability and liquidity. Buterin commended the initiative for contributing "a great deal of underappreciated and meaningful work" within the Ethereum ecosystem, according to a
TradingView report
, indicating rising confidence among institutions and developers in the platform.
Atlas, launched by ZKsync’s parent company Matter Labs, features a new high-speed sequencer that can handle up to 30,000 transactions per second (TPS) while remaining fully compatible with Ethereum, as detailed by Cryptobriefing. The upgrade also introduces Airbender, a mechanism that allows for instant confirmations and cross-chain settlements. These advancements help establish Ethereum as a "genuine liquidity powerhouse," according to a
Phemex article
, enabling ZKsync’s Layer-2 networks to directly tap into the mainnet’s capital pool and removing the fragmented liquidity pools that previously complicated cross-chain activity.
The upgrade’s instant liquidity capabilities are especially impactful for institutional investors and real-world asset (RWA) transactions. Before Atlas, Layer-2 solutions like
ZKsync
Era and
Arbitrum
relied on isolated liquidity pools, which slowed down transfers and restricted interoperability, according to
CryptoFront News
. With the new system, ZKsync-based chains can access Ethereum’s liquidity in seconds, allowing for quicker capital transfers and less dependence on intermediaries. Buterin pointed out that this development could transform Ethereum from a "passive settlement network" into an "active capital center," making tokens and markets on the mainnet instantly accessible to the ZKsync ecosystem.
Matter Labs has also revealed plans to further decentralize ZKsync by launching a governance token,
ZK
, which will be distributed via an airdrop to long-term users of ZKsync Era and ZKsync Lite. Around 33% of the total token supply will be reserved for the company’s team and investors. This approach follows the broader movement toward decentralized governance and may encourage greater engagement in the network.
The sharp rise in ZK token’s value highlights both the technical strengths of the upgrade and the weight of Buterin’s endorsement. His tweet calling Ethereum "incorruptible" reinforced the project’s alignment with Ethereum’s foundational values, while also emphasizing ZKsync’s contribution to improving blockchain scalability. Experts observe that the upgrade’s emphasis on enterprise-level performance—such as 15,000 TPS and minimal fees—positions ZKsync as a strong option for institutional users and real-time financial services.