Ethereum Layer 2 Zero Network to wind down after 1.5 years

Zerion announced Thursday that Zero Network, an Ethereum Layer 2 focused on gasless transactions, is winding down after 1.5 years of operation. Zero Network initially went live in November 2024. The team stated that while the vision of building the first EVM-compatible, fully gasless rollup to simplify user experience and foster mainstream adoption remains valid, maintaining a standalone blockchain proved to be the wrong path to realize it. "[The best way is] focusing our resources where they have the greatest impact for the people who are using our products every day," the team said on social media platform X. Zerion, founded in 2016, operates Zerion Wallet, a self-custody crypto wallet available on mobile and web browser extensions. The company is refocusing on its API and wallet offerings.

User Asset Safety and Deadline

The Zero team assured users that their assets are safe and directed them to bridge any NFTs, ETH, or other tokens out of the Zero Network by the end of July. Bridging into Zero has already been suspended.

Broader Protocol Shutdown Trend

Zero Network joins a growing list of crypto protocols announcing closures. Earlier the same day, cross-chain infrastructure startup Everclear announced that its core UI, protocol, foundation, and research lab organizations will all shut down. On Wednesday, Ethereum infrastructure provider Syndicate Labs and crypto card game Fantasy.top also announced they were shuttering operations. Several protocols cited adverse market conditions as a key reason for ceasing operations.