The Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve with innovative Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions, and one project flying under the radar—yet backed by the Ethereum Foundation—is Zkopru. Unlike mainstream rollups such as Optimism or Arbitrum, Zkopru stands out by combining Optimistic Rollup scalability with strong privacy-preserving features using zero-knowledge cryptography. This unique blend has earned it consistent funding and recognition from one of the most influential entities in the Ethereum space.
But what exactly makes Zkopru special? How does it differ from other L2s? And why is the Ethereum Foundation so invested in its development?
What Is Zkopru?
Zkopru—short for zk-Optimistic Rollup—is an independent Layer 2 network built on Ethereum that leverages the Optimistic Rollup framework for scalability while integrating zk-SNARKs to enable private transactions. Despite its name suggesting a fusion of ZK Rollup and Optimistic Rollup, Zkopru uses zero-knowledge proofs primarily for privacy, not for validity proofs like in traditional ZK Rollups.
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This distinction is crucial: while projects like zkSync or StarkWare use zk-proofs to scale computation, Zkopru uses them to hide transaction details—such as sender, receiver, and amount—while still benefiting from Optimistic Rollup’s cost-efficiency and compatibility with Ethereum’s security model.
Core Technology: UTXO Model Meets Privacy
Zkopru adopts a UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model similar to Bitcoin and Fuel Labs, rather than Ethereum’s account-based system. This design choice simplifies privacy implementation and enables efficient batching of transactions.
Each user generates a network-specific receiving address derived from their Ethereum private key. Once funds are deposited into the Zkopru contract on Layer 1, all subsequent transfers occur off-chain with full confidentiality. Thanks to zk-SNARKs, these transactions prove validity without revealing any underlying data.
This approach allows Zkopru to support private transfers of ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and even ERC-721 NFTs, making it one of the few L2 solutions offering cross-asset privacy at scale.
Key Features That Set Zkopru Apart
1. Privacy-Preserving Transactions
At its core, Zkopru prioritizes user anonymity. Every transaction is shielded using zero-knowledge proofs, ensuring that balances and participants remain confidential. This positions Zkopru as a strong alternative to tools like Tornado Cash—but with lower fees and built-in L2 scalability.
2. Fast Withdrawals via Liquidity Providers
Like other Optimistic Rollups, standard withdrawals from Zkopru require a 7-day challenge period to allow for fraud proof submission. However, Zkopru introduces a fast withdrawal mechanism where third-party liquidity providers can front funds on Layer 1 in exchange for a fee.
This feature dramatically improves user experience by reducing wait times—from days to minutes—while maintaining security through economic incentives.
3. Atomic Swaps Across Assets
Zkopru is also exploring support for atomic swaps between different assets (e.g., swapping ETH for an ERC-20 token privately). The process involves a coordinator who facilitates the exchange. If the coordinator fails to execute fairly, they face penalties enforced by smart contracts.
While still in research phase, this functionality could unlock trustless, private trading directly within the rollup—without relying on centralized exchanges or AMMs.
Cost Efficiency: Transactions Up to 10x Cheaper
One of Zkopru’s most compelling advantages is dramatically reduced transaction costs.
On Ethereum’s mainnet, executing a zero-knowledge privacy transaction (like with Tornado Cash) can cost over 21,000 gas. In contrast, Zkopru estimates its per-transaction gas cost at just ~8,800 gas, thanks to off-chain computation and efficient batching.
When factoring in current network conditions, individual transactions on Zkopru are projected to cost between $1 and $2, roughly one-tenth of equivalent on-chain operations. While coordinators must pay additional gas (~170,000 per batch) to submit blocks to Layer 1, this cost is distributed across all users in the batch.
This level of efficiency makes Zkopru a viable option for frequent, low-value, privacy-sensitive transactions—filling a niche currently underserved in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Team Behind the Project: Experienced Privacy Builders
Zkopru was co-founded by Wanseob Lim and barryWhiteHat, both well-known contributors in Ethereum’s privacy and scaling communities.
- Wanseob Lim previously developed Ethereum 9¾, a privacy protocol inspired by Harry Potter and based on the Mimblewimble framework.
- barryWhiteHat is an anonymous but highly respected Ethereum researcher, credited as one of the early conceptualizers of the Rollup paradigm.
The team also includes Koh Wei Jie, a Singapore-based full-stack developer who built MicroMix, a zero-knowledge-based mixing protocol using Semaphore. His ongoing work continues to receive support from the Ethereum Foundation.
This depth of experience in privacy tooling and cryptographic design gives Zkopru strong technical credibility.
Funding and Backing: Sustained Support from Ethereum Foundation
Since Q3 2020, Zkopru has been consistently funded by the Ethereum Foundation, highlighting its strategic importance in advancing privacy and scalability.
In recent grant reports, Zkopru was listed as the top project under the “Applied Zero-Knowledge Proofs” category—a testament to its progress and potential impact. Specific funded tasks include:
- Conducting stress tests
- Designing a website for the trusted setup ceremony
Notably, there has been no public token announcement, nor any presence on crowdfunding platforms like Gitcoin. The focus remains squarely on research, development, and audit readiness.
Roadmap: Testnet Launch Imminent
According to the team’s roadmap:
- The testnet deployment is expected within two weeks.
- A second security audit is underway.
- If no critical issues arise, the mainnet launch could follow shortly after—with results potentially published concurrently.
Wallet UIs and documentation will be released alongside the testnet, improving accessibility for developers and early adopters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does Zkopru have a token?
A: As of now, there is no official announcement regarding a governance or utility token. The team has not disclosed plans for token distribution.
Q: How does Zkopru ensure security?
A: It relies on Ethereum’s base layer security through fraud proofs (Optimistic Rollup model), with zk-SNARKs ensuring transaction privacy without compromising integrity.
Q: Can I trade NFTs privately on Zkopru?
A: Yes—Zkopru supports private transfers of ERC-721 tokens, allowing users to move NFTs without exposing ownership history.
Q: What consensus mechanism do coordinators use?
A: Details about coordinator consensus and transaction ordering are not yet public. This remains an open question ahead of mainnet launch.
Q: How does fast withdrawal work without sacrificing security?
A: Liquidity providers take on counterparty risk in exchange for fees. They are incentivized to act honestly because fraudulent behavior could lead to reputational or financial loss.
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Final Thoughts: A Niche Player With Broad Implications
Zkopru may not aim to be a general-purpose EVM-compatible rollup like Arbitrum or Optimism. Instead, it carves out a focused role as a privacy-first transfer layer—one that could become essential for users seeking discretion in asset movements across Ethereum.
With backing from the Ethereum Foundation, experienced builders at the helm, and a clear path toward mainnet, Zkopru represents a quiet but powerful force in the evolution of scalable, private blockchains.
As regulatory scrutiny around on-chain transparency grows, solutions like Zkopru may transition from niche experiments to critical infrastructure—providing users with the financial privacy that decentralized systems promise.
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