ZKsync Launches Atlas Upgrade for Enterprise Users
ZKsync, an Ethereum layer-2 platform by Matter Labs, has released the Atlas upgrade. It targets enterprise and institutional users. The update aims to speed up transactions and enable near-instant verification. It also fully supports Ethereum applications.
The upgrade features a new transaction sequencer built for high traffic. Tests showed high-frequency price updates processing about 23,000 transactions per second. Stablecoin transfers averaged 15,000 TPS, while ETH transfers reached 43,000 TPS. Transaction times ranged from 250 to 500 milliseconds, demonstrating smooth handling of enterprise workloads.
Airbender Enables Fast Verification
A key feature of Atlas is Airbender, a zero-knowledge virtual machine based on RISC-V. It generates proofs for blocks in around one second. Final settlement on Ethereum takes only a few minutes. This speed benefits tokenized assets and cross-chain transactions where timing is critical.
The cost to verify an ERC20 transfer is about $0.0001. Fast verification supports use cases requiring quick and reliable transaction finality.
Expanded Virtual Machine Support and Enterprise Adoption
The upgrade expands support for multiple virtual machines while maintaining full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. Atlas uses x86 architecture for sequencer operations and RISC-V for proof generation. This ensures the code running on the network matches what is verified on-chain. Enterprises can run private or hybrid blockchain networks with consistency and reliability.
The upgrade arrives amid growing blockchain adoption by financial institutions. BlackRock’s tokenized U.S. Treasury fund recently exceeded $1 billion in assets. Deutsche Bank partners with fintech Memento on tokenized asset infrastructure. Cross-border blockchain payments are expected to reach $2 trillion by the end of 2025, highlighting the need for scalable, interoperable systems.
Atlas testnets are live now. The mainnet launch is expected in the coming weeks. Analysts believe the upgrade will help enterprises explore private and hybrid blockchain networks with faster settlement and near real-time transaction verification.
