In a significant advancement for the blockchain sector, Zilliqa has officially transitioned from its initial version, Zilliqa 1.0, to the upgraded Zilliqa 2.0. This upgrade marks a pivotal moment for the high-performance Layer 1 blockchain platform, renowned for its pioneering use of sharding technology. As the blockchain ecosystem continues to progress, the demands placed upon it evolve as well. The original Zilliqa 1.0 demonstrated the potential of sharded blockchains to function effectively at scale, but the current web3 landscape necessitates a focus on regulatory compliance, modularity, and tools designed with developers in mind. Zilliqa 2.0 seeks to fulfill these requirements with a revamped, modular framework that enhances the creation of verifiable smart contracts, tokenized assets, and innovative decentralized applications (dApps).
Major Enhancements in Zilliqa 2.0
The launch of Zilliqa 2.0 is marked by comprehensive Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) support, facilitating the effortless deployment of applications and tools originally designed for Ethereum. This modular architecture not only prepares the blockchain for future updates and scalability but also introduces six foundational elements: an enhanced Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, customizable cross-shards, effective cross-chain communication, light client support, and sustainable token economics. Looking to the future, Zilliqa’s development roadmap includes the introduction of smart accounts, which will enhance programmability on the blockchain, alongside zero-knowledge (ZK) features that aim to provide privacy-focused compliance tools such as verifiable credentials and selective disclosure. Collectively, these advancements create a blockchain environment that is quicker, more environmentally friendly, and primed for widespread real-world application.
This upgrade positions Zilliqa as a platform appealing to both institutions and developers. Whether it involves financial technology firms creating programmable assets or compliance-focused decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) developing sophisticated tools, Zilliqa 2.0 serves as a robust foundational layer that connects real-world requirements with decentralized advancements. “Zilliqa is now institution-ready and developer-friendly,” Zahnd emphasized. “We’ve re-engineered the core to ensure we’re not just fast — we’re also open, composable, and oriented towards making a real-world impact.”
Ongoing Dedication to Performance
Having successfully processed over 50 million transactions and established one of the most effective sharding implementations available, Zilliqa’s core performance continues to gain momentum. Validators play a crucial role within the protocol, and staking remains an attractive option for users as the network embarks on its next phase. The introduction of Zilliqa 2.0 enhances the staking experience with improvements in validator onboarding and the potential for elevated annual percentage rates (APR) for early participants who switch their staking activities from Zilliqa 1.0 to the new version. This dynamic staking model is structured to reward early adopters while ensuring sustainable growth as liquidity transitions from the legacy system to the new framework.
During a six-month testing phase called Aventurine, 21 external validators successfully evaluated the proto-mainnet, generating over 7.5 million blocks and completing 15 client upgrades without issues. Now that Zilliqa 2.0 is operational on the mainnet, it supports a variety of projects focused on tokenized assets, regulated decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, and fintech infrastructure, among others. Strategic collaborations, including partnerships with LTIN and deBridge (which introduces native USDC), are already enhancing the ecosystem’s functionality. With this progress, Zilliqa is establishing itself as a high-performance Layer 1 solution where institutional interests, innovative ideas, and tangible value converge.
For developers interested in creating dApps on Zilliqa 2.0, comprehensive technical documentation is available to guide them through the process.
About Zilliqa
Zilliqa is an advanced Layer 1 blockchain platform designed to facilitate scalable, secure, and interoperable decentralized applications. As the first public blockchain to implement sharding technology, Zilliqa has continuously pushed the limits of blockchain infrastructure. With the release of Zilliqa 2.0, the platform is evolving to address the requirements of institutions, enterprises, and developers looking for high-throughput solutions that embody the trust, transparency, and flexibility essential for real-world implementation.
