As Ethereum continues to scale, Layer 2 (L2) solutions have become central to improving transaction speed and reducing network congestion. Among these innovations, Zkopru stands out—not for raw performance, but for its unique integration of privacy into the widely adopted Optimistic Rollup framework. Recently, the Ethereum Foundation placed Zkopru at the top of its "Applied Zero-Knowledge Proofs" funding category, signaling strong institutional confidence in its mission.
But what exactly makes Zkopru special? And why is it drawing attention from one of the most influential bodies in the blockchain space?
What Is Zkopru?
Zkopru is a privacy-enhanced Optimistic Rollup built specifically for Ethereum. Despite its name suggesting a hybrid of ZK Rollups and Optimistic Rollups, Zkopru uses zk-SNARKs not for scaling consensus (like traditional ZK Rollups), but to enable private transactions within an otherwise standard Optimistic Rollup architecture.
In simple terms:
Zkopru takes the cost-efficient, fraud-proof-based security model of Optimistic Rollups and layers zero-knowledge cryptography on top to hide transaction details—such as sender, receiver, and amount—while still ensuring validity.
This focus on privacy-preserving transfers positions Zkopru uniquely among other L2 projects that prioritize general-purpose smart contract execution over confidentiality.
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Core Technology: Privacy Meets Scalability
At its core, Zkopru operates using 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 supports efficient zk-proof generation.
Each user generates a private deposit address derived from their Ethereum key, allowing them to move ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and even ERC-721 NFTs across the network without revealing any metadata. The zk-SNARK proofs ensure that:
- Funds are validly owned.
- No double-spending occurs.
- Transaction details remain fully encrypted.
While most Optimistic Rollups rely solely on challenge periods for security, Zkopru enhances trustlessness by embedding cryptographic privacy at the transaction level—making it one of the few L2s designed with confidential asset movement as a primary goal.
Key Features That Set Zkopru Apart
1. Privacy-Preserving Transactions
Unlike Tornado Cash—which anonymizes ETH via mixing—Zkopru enables private transfers natively within a scalable rollup environment. Users can transact without exposing balances or flow patterns, significantly enhancing financial privacy.
2. Fast Withdrawals via Liquidity Providers
Like other Optimistic Rollups, Zkopru enforces a 7-day challenge window for standard withdrawals to prevent fraudulent exits. However, it introduces a fast withdrawal mechanism, where third-party liquidity providers front funds on Layer 1 in exchange for a fee. This drastically improves user experience without compromising base-layer security.
3. Atomic Swaps Across Assets
Zkopru is developing support for cross-asset atomic swaps, allowing users to exchange ETH, tokens, or NFTs directly and privately. A coordinator facilitates the swap; if they fail to act honestly, they face penalties enforced by smart contracts. Though still in research phase, this could unlock trustless peer-to-peer trading with full privacy.
Transaction Costs: Up to 10x Lower
One of Zkopru’s most compelling advantages is cost efficiency.
On Ethereum’s mainnet, executing zero-knowledge transactions (e.g., via Tornado Cash) can cost over 21,000 gas per transfer. In contrast, Zkopru estimates each private transaction consumes only about 8,800 gas on Layer 1—less than half.
When batched efficiently, individual user costs could fall to $1–$2 per transaction, depending on network conditions. While coordinators pay additional overhead (~170,000 gas per batch), this cost is distributed across all users in the batch.
This represents a one-order-of-magnitude reduction in fees compared to conducting private transactions directly on-chain—a major milestone for practical privacy adoption.
The Team Behind Zkopru
Zkopru was co-founded by Wanseob Lim and barryWhiteHat, both respected figures in Ethereum’s privacy and scaling communities.
- Wanseob Lim previously developed Ethereum 9¾, a privacy protocol inspired by Harry Potter and built using Mimblewimble techniques.
- barryWhiteHat is a well-known anonymous researcher and early advocate of Rollup technology. He played a foundational role in conceptualizing optimistic scaling long before mainstream adoption.
The team also includes contributors like Koh Wei Jie, a Singapore-based Ethereum developer who built MicroMix, a Semaphore-based mixer currently under Ethereum Foundation sponsorship.
This deep expertise in zero-knowledge systems and privacy tooling gives Zkopru strong technical credibility.
Funding and Development Roadmap
Zkopru has been consistently funded by the Ethereum Foundation since Q3 2020, reflecting its strategic importance in advancing applied zk-tech. Recent grants have supported:
- Stress testing
- Development of a website for Zkopru’s trusted setup ceremony
Notably, Zkopru has not launched a public token sale or raised funds through platforms like Gitcoin—suggesting a community-first, non-speculative development path.
According to the roadmap, Zkopru plans to:
- Deploy its smart contracts on testnet within two weeks.
- Release wallet UIs and documentation.
- Launch mainnet approximately two weeks after testnet deployment—pending successful security audits.
A second audit report may be published alongside mainnet launch, further reinforcing trust in the system.
FAQ: Common Questions About Zkopru
Q: Is Zkopru a ZK Rollup?
No. While it uses zk-SNARKs for privacy, Zkopru relies on fraud proofs (like Optimistic Rollups) rather than validity proofs for state correctness. Its “zk” refers to transaction confidentiality, not consensus scaling.
Q: Does Zkopru have a token?
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding a governance or utility token. Like early-stage Optimism or Arbitrum, it may introduce one later—but currently operates without native token incentives.
Q: Can I run a node or become a coordinator?
Yes—anyone can operate as a coordinator responsible for batching transactions. Coordinators earn fees but must post bonds and follow protocol rules to avoid slashing.
Q: How does Zkopru compare to Aztec?
Aztec uses a dual-ZK approach for both privacy and scalability. Zkopru prioritizes simplicity by combining optimistic security with zk-privacy, making it potentially easier to audit and deploy.
Q: What assets does Zkopru support?
It supports private transfers of ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and ERC-721 NFTs—making it one of the few L2s with built-in NFT privacy features.
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Final Thoughts: A Strategic Step Toward Private Web3
Zkopru may not offer EVM compatibility or general smart contracts today, but its laser focus on secure, low-cost, private transfers fills a critical gap in Ethereum’s ecosystem.
With backing from the Ethereum Foundation, experienced builders at the helm, and a clear technical roadmap, Zkopru represents a promising evolution of rollup technology—one where privacy isn't an afterthought, but a foundational principle.
As regulatory scrutiny increases and users demand more control over their financial data, solutions like Zkopru could become essential infrastructure for a truly decentralized and private internet.
Whether you're building privacy-aware dApps or simply value confidential transactions, keeping an eye on Zkopru’s mainnet launch in the coming weeks is highly recommended.
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