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Top ZK Rollup Projects in 2024 - Token Metrics Moon Awards

Uncover the top ZK Rollup technology of 2024 with the Token Metrics Moon Awards. Discover the future of scaling solutions.
Token Metrics Team
8 Minutes
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Welcome to the Token Metrics Moon Awards, a prestigious cryptocurrency industry accolade that recognizes platforms, projects, and initiatives that have significantly impacted the industry. The latest addition to the Moon Awards is the Top ZK Rollup in 2024.

Selection Process

At Token Metrics, we emphasize our audience, considering them the foundation of our operations. Our selection process is firmly rooted in engaging with the community, ensuring that our awards' results authentically reflect crypto enthusiasts' sentiments and experiences.

Through engagement with our community members, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the Top ZK Rollup in 2024 based on extensive survey data and user votes.

This guide aims to explore ZK Rollups in-depth, highlighting their advantages and considerations, alongside an overview of top ZK rollup projects slated to dominate in 2024.

What are ZK Rollups?

ZK Rollup is a transformative layer-2 scaling solution that enhances blockchain scalability and efficiency by moving computation and state storage off the main chain. They operate by:

  • Bundling Transactions: Transactions are aggregated into batches and processed off-chain. This method significantly reduces the on-chain footprint, lowering gas costs and increasing throughput.
  • Zero-Knowledge Proofs: A core feature of ZK Rollups is using zero-knowledge proofs to validate transactions off-chain before finalizing them on the main chain. This ensures that all transactions are legitimate without revealing any underlying data, thus preserving privacy and security.
  • On-Chain Data Storage: ZK Rollups store transaction data on the layer-1 network while the computation is done off-chain. This approach maintains the integrity and security of the blockchain, leveraging the robustness of the base-layer network for settlement purposes.

Operators play a crucial role in managing these rollups, which can be either a centralized sequencer or a decentralized proof-of-stake system with validators. 

This flexibility allows for different governance models, further enhancing the adaptability of ZK Rollups to various blockchain ecosystems. 

Moreover, advancements like the zero-knowledge EVM (zkEVM) are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, enabling more complex computations and applications to benefit from the scalability and efficiency of ZK Rollups.

List of Top ZK Rollups in 2024

As the blockchain ecosystem evolves, ZK rollup projects are at the forefront of addressing scalability and efficiency challenges. 

Here's a closer look at some of the top ZK rollup projects set to make significant impacts in 2024:

Top ZK Rollups
Image Source - Token Metrics Moon Awards

1. zkSync

In the Moon Awards survey, zkSync secured the top position with 49.8% of the total votes.

zkSync Era emerges as a leading ZK rollup, revolutionizing Ethereum transactions through scalable, low-cost solutions. Its design closely mirrors Ethereum, ensuring a seamless experience for developers and users. Here's a breakdown of its standout features:

Compatibility and User Experience:

  • Smart contracts in Solidity/Vyper are fully compatible with EVM.
  • Supports familiar Ethereum clients and wallets like Metamask and TrustWallet.
  • Web3 API compatibility, easing the transition for Ethereum developers.

Innovative Features and Security:

  • Transitioning towards decentralization for enhanced security.
  • Native account abstraction and support for ECDSA signatures.
  • zkPorter mode offers a balance between high security and reduced fees.

Development and Transaction Efficiency:

  • Instant confirmations and rapid finality on L1.
  • Extremely low transaction fees, payable with ERC20 tokens.
  • Hardhat plugin and custom compilers (zksolc and zkvyper) for streamlined smart contract development.

zkSync Era stands out for its Ethereum-like environment, decentralization roadmap, and innovative features like zkPorter, making it a top choice for those seeking efficient, secure blockchain transactions.

2. Polygon zkEVM

In the Moon Awards survey, Polygon zkEVM secured the 2nd position with 26.7% of the total votes.

Polygon zkEVM emerges as a beacon in the landscape of zk rollup projects, heralding a new era of scalability and security for Ethereum. 

This open-source, EVM-equivalent zk-Rollup is not just live but thriving, powered by the cutting-edge Polygon Zero technology. Here's a closer look at its defining attributes:

Key Features:

  • EVM Equivalence: Maintains full compatibility with Ethereum, allowing existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets to operate without any modifications.
  • Low Cost: Leverages ZK proofs to drastically reduce transaction costs, making it an economical choice for developers and users.
  • High Performance: Achieves fast network finality and employs the world's fastest ZK-proof technology for swift and efficient transaction processing.

Security and Scalability:

  • Inherits Ethereum's robust security at Layer 2, enhanced by L2 batching capabilities.
  • Utilizes ZK proofs to ensure the validity of transactions, safeguarding user funds against potential threats.

Polygon zkEVM Stats and Resources:

  • Metrics such as average gas fees, total value locked (TVL), and active wallets are readily available, offering insights into its growing ecosystem.
  • Developers and enthusiasts can access many resources, including technical documentation, GitHub repositories, and educational materials from Polygon University.

Polygon zkEVM stands out for its technical prowess and commitment to a secure, scalable, and developer-friendly environment, setting a new standard for zk rollup projects.

3. Starknet

In the Moon Awards survey, Starknet secured the 3rd position with 12% of the total votes.

Starknet, a prominent player in the ZK rollup arena, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to enhancing Ethereum's scalability and efficiency. 

Notably, Starknet was EIP-4844 ready from the get-go, swiftly enabling the blob function post-Dencun upgrade, dramatically lowering transaction fees to an average of $0.017. This move underscores Starknet's agility and foresight in adapting to Ethereum's evolving landscape.

Innovations and Upgrades:

  • V0.13.2: Introduces concurrent execution of independent transactions, boosting throughput and minimizing latency.
  • V0.13.3: Incorporates Cairo Native project by LambdaClass into the Starknet sequencer, facilitating direct execution on x86 architecture. This accelerates transaction execution significantly.
  • Data Availability (DA) Enhancements: These upgrades enable hybrid DA on Starknet, allowing dApps to store data directly on Starknet rather than Ethereum. This shift reduces end-user transaction costs and optimizes the batching of L1 costs.

Starknet's roadmap reveals a strategic focus on reducing fees and enhancing network performance. Also, Starknet's exploration into Data Availability Compression and the introduction of parallel transaction functionality highlight its dedication to achieving a scalable, efficient, and user-friendly platform. 

These advancements are expected to position Starknet as a powerhouse in zk rollup technology, significantly outpacing Ethereum's computational capabilities by the end of 2024.

4. Linea

In the Moon Awards survey, Linea secured the 4th position with 6.3% of the total votes.

Developed by Consensys, Linea is a ZK-Rollup designed to significantly enhance Ethereum's scalability by processing transactions off-chain. 

This innovative approach reduces the data each transaction records on-chain and employs zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to verify the validity of transactions without revealing their contents. Here's a closer look at Linea's key features:

EVM Compatibility & User Experience:

  • Fully EVM-compatible, allowing developers to use the same code for Linea's Layer-2 as they would for Ethereum's Layer-1.
  • Integration with popular Web3 products such as MetaMask and Infura, ensuring a seamless user experience akin to Ethereum's mainnet but with faster speeds and significantly lower transaction costs.

Scalability & Security Enhancements:

  • Utilizes lattice-based cryptography for ZKPs, believed to resist quantum computer attacks, providing a secure foundation for transactions.
  • Offers instant transaction finality with a multi-prover approach to minimize implementation risks, further securing the network.

Innovative Technology & Community Engagement:

  • Features a new outer proof system, Vortex, for fast proof generation and self-recursion, enhancing transaction privacy and efficiency.
  • Engages the developer community with initiatives like a major NFT collection launch and a hackathon with prizes up to $50,000, fostering innovation and participation.

Linea's approach to enhancing Ethereum's scalability, security, and user experience positions it as a leading project in ZK Rollup technology, promising a more efficient and scalable blockchain ecosystem.

5. Scroll

In the Moon Awards survey, Scroll secured the 5th position with 3% of the total votes.

Scroll is a pioneering Layer 2 network meticulously crafted by Ethereum developers for their peers, aiming to extend Ethereum's capabilities through cutting-edge zero-knowledge technology and seamless EVM compatibility. 

This initiative ensures that existing Ethereum applications can transition to Scroll with minimal friction and at reduced costs, fostering a more efficient blockchain ecosystem. Here's a snapshot of Scroll's standout features:

EVM Compatibility and Ease of Migration:

  • Bytecode-level compatibility with Ethereum, ensuring a plug-and-play experience for developers.
  • The simplified migration process for Ethereum apps significantly cut down operational costs.

Innovative Zero-Knowledge Proof Technology:

  • Utilizes advanced ZK proofs and battle-tested EVM models for enhanced security and reliability.
  • Regular audits and a multi-layered security approach underscore its commitment to maintaining a secure network.

Community-Centric Development and Scalability:

  • Open development ethos, closely involving the Ethereum community from the outset.
  • Plans for decentralized proof and multiple validators to democratize network governance.
  • It aims to halve cross-chain costs, support EIP 1559 transaction types, and enable parallel EVM execution for superior scalability.

Scroll's architecture, embracing a settlement, sequencing, and proving layer and the possibility of anyone becoming a roller by staking SCR, its native token, highlights its innovative approach to reducing proving costs and ensuring decentralized network participation.

Conclusion

As the blockchain ecosystem continues to grow and encounter new challenges, the advancements in ZK Rollup technology showcased by projects detailed in this guide present a promising path forward.

Projects like zkSync, Polygon zkEVM, Starknet, Linea, and Scroll have been spotlighted not only for their innovative approach to addressing Ethereum's scalability challenges but also for their contributions to a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly blockchain environment.

Their developments mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of layer-2 solutions, reinforcing the essential role of ZK Rollups in the broader adoption and optimization of blockchain technology.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other advice, and you should not treat any of the website's content as such.

Token Metrics does not recommend buying, selling, or holding any cryptocurrency. Conduct your due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
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Understanding your trading style and risk appetite can help determine if a crypto index fits within your broader strategy.

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FAQs

What is a crypto index?

A crypto index is a rules-based basket that tracks a defined set of assets (e.g., the top-100 by market cap), with a scheduled rebalance to keep exposure aligned. Token Metrics applies that idea and adds a regime switch to stablecoins.

How often does TM Global 100 rebalance?

Weekly. Constituents and weights update on schedule; if the market regime changes, the portfolio can switch between tokens and stablecoins outside that cadence.

What triggers the move to stablecoins?

A proprietary market signal. Bullish: hold the top-100 basket. Bearish: exit to stablecoins and wait for a re-entry signal.

Can I fund with USDC or fiat?

At launch, funding options including wallet-funding supported by the embedded smart wallet and supported chains; USDC payouts are available when selling. Details are available during the buy/sell process.

Is the wallet custodial?

No. The embedded wallet is self-custodial—you control your funds and keys.

How are fees shown?

Before confirming, you'll see estimated gas costs, platform fees, max slippage, and minimum expected value.

How do I join the waitlist?

Visit the Token Metrics indices hub, open TM Global 100, and tap “Join Waitlist.” We will notify you once trading opens.

Security, Risk & Transparency

Self-custody: Embedded smart wallet with user-controlled keys. Transparency: Clear rules, holdings Treemap, and transactions logs. Fees: Shown before confirmation. Limitations: Signals can be wrong, no performance guarantees. Availability may vary by region and device.

Disclaimer

Crypto is volatile and can lose value. Past performance does not predict future results. This article is for research and educational purposes only, not financial advice.

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If you’ve ever wished for a crypto index that participates broadly in bull markets yet steps aside when risk turns south, this is it. Token Metrics Global 100 is a rules-based index that holds the top 100 crypto assets when our market signal is bullish—and moves fully to stablecoins when it isn’t. It rebalances weekly, shows transparent holdings and transaction logs, and can be purchased in one click with an embedded wallet. That’s disciplined exposure, minus the micromanagement. → Join the waitlist to be first to trade TM Global 100.

Why Indices Matters in October 2025

Two things define this cycle: speed and uncertainty. Narratives rotate in weeks, not months, and individual-coin risk can swamp portfolios. Indices let you own the market when conditions warrant, while a regime-switching approach aims to sidestep drawdowns by cutting risk to stablecoins. (A crypto index is a rules-based basket tracking a defined universe—here, a top-100 market-cap set—with scheduled rebalances.)

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Regime switching: Bull: hold the top 100 by market cap. Bear: move fully to stablecoins, wait for a bullish re-entry signal.

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Transparency: A Strategy modal explains rules; a Gauge shows the live market signal; Holdings appear in Treemap + Table; and every rebalance/transaction is logged.

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Time back: No more tracking 100 tickers or manual reweights. The weekly job runs for you.

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Less execution drag: One embedded wallet checkout vs. dozens of small trades that add slippage and fees.

See everything: Gauge → Treemap → Transactions Log—know what you hold, and what changed.

Own the market when it’s worth it: Capture broad upside in bullish regimes with top-100 breadth.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Early Access (Waitlist)

Open the Token Metrics Indices hub.

Tap TM Global 100 and select Join Waitlist.

(Optional) Connect wallet to preview the one-click Buy flow and funding options.

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Click Buy Index → review fees/slippage/holdings → confirm. Most users finish in ~90 seconds.

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  • Skeptical of Black Boxes: Full strategy copy, holdings, and rebalance logs are visible—no mystery knobs.

FAQs

What is a “crypto index”?

A rules-based basket that tracks a defined universe (here: top-100 market cap), with scheduled rebalances and clear inclusion criteria.

How often does the index rebalance?

Weekly, with additional full-portfolio switches when the market regime changes.

What triggers the move to stablecoins?

A proprietary market signal. Bullish: hold top-100. Bearish: move fully to stablecoins until re-entry.

Can I fund with USDC or fiat?

You’ll use the embedded wallet and supported on-chain assets; USDC is supported for selling. Funding options surface based on chain/wallet at checkout.

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No. It’s an embedded, self-custodial smart wallet—you control funds.

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At checkout, you’ll see estimated gas, platform fee, max slippage, and minimum expected value before confirming.

How do I join the waitlist?

Visit the Indices hub, open TM Global 100, and tap Join Waitlist; we’ll notify you at launch.

Security, Risk & Transparency

Self-custody: Embedded smart wallet; you hold keys.

Operational clarity: Strategy modal, Holdings treemap/table, and Transactions log.

Fee & slippage preview: All shown before you confirm.

Regime logic limits: Signals can be wrong; switching can incur spreads and gas.

Region notes: Chain and asset support may vary by user wallet and jurisdiction.

Crypto is volatile and can lose value. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for research/education, not financial advice.

Conclusion

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The Foundation: Understanding What You're Buying

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The first step in any research process involves reading the project's whitepaper. This technical document outlines the problem the project aims to solve, its proposed solution, tokenomics, and roadmap. While whitepapers can be dense, they reveal whether a project has substance or merely hype. Pay attention to whether the team clearly articulates a real-world problem and presents a viable solution.

Analyzing the Team and Development Activity

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Development activity serves as a crucial health indicator for any blockchain project. GitHub repositories reveal whether developers are actively working on the project or if it's effectively abandoned. Regular commits, open issues being addressed, and community contributions all signal a vibrant, evolving project. Conversely, repositories with no activity for months suggest a project that may be dying or was never serious to begin with.

Diving Into Tokenomics and Supply Mechanics

Understanding a token's economic model is essential for predicting its long-term value potential. Investors examine total supply, circulating supply, and emission schedules. Is the token inflationary or deflationary? How many tokens do the team and early investors hold, and when do those tokens unlock? Large unlock events can trigger significant price drops as insiders sell.

The token's utility within its ecosystem matters tremendously. Does holding the token provide governance rights, staking rewards, or access to platform features? Tokens without clear utility often struggle to maintain value over time. Smart researchers also investigate how value accrues to token holders—whether through buybacks, burning mechanisms, or revenue sharing.

Evaluating Market Metrics and Trading Data

Price action tells only part of the story, but market metrics provide valuable context. Trading volume indicates liquidity—can you buy or sell significant amounts without drastically moving the price? Market capitalization helps determine a token's relative size and potential growth runway. A small-cap project has more room to grow but carries higher risk.

On-chain metrics offer deeper insights into token health. Active addresses, transaction volume, and network usage reveal actual adoption versus speculation. High trading volume on exchanges with minimal on-chain activity might indicate wash trading or manipulation. Token distribution matters too—if a small number of wallets hold most of the supply, the token faces centralization risks and potential price manipulation.

Leveraging Advanced Analytics Platforms

Professional crypto investors increasingly rely on sophisticated analytics platforms that aggregate multiple data sources and provide actionable insights. Token Metrics has emerged as a leading crypto trading and analytics platform, offering comprehensive research tools that save investors countless hours of manual analysis.

Token Metrics combines artificial intelligence with expert analysis to provide ratings and predictions across thousands of cryptocurrencies. The platform evaluates projects across multiple dimensions—technology, team, market metrics, and risk factors—delivering clear scores that help investors quickly identify promising opportunities. Rather than manually tracking dozens of metrics across multiple websites, users access consolidated dashboards that present the information that matters most.

The platform's AI-driven approach analyzes historical patterns and current trends to generate price predictions and trading signals. For investors overwhelmed by the complexity of crypto research, Token Metrics serves as an invaluable decision-support system, translating raw data into understandable recommendations. The platform covers everything from established cryptocurrencies to emerging DeFi tokens and NFT projects, making it a one-stop solution for comprehensive market research.

Assessing Community and Social Sentiment

Cryptocurrency projects thrive or die based on their communities. Active, engaged communities signal genuine interest and adoption, while astroturfed communities relying on bots and paid shillers raise red flags. Investors monitor project Discord servers, Telegram channels, and Twitter activity to gauge community health.

Social sentiment analysis has become increasingly sophisticated, with tools tracking mentions, sentiment polarity, and influencer engagement across platforms. Sudden spikes in social volume might indicate organic excitement about a partnership or product launch—or orchestrated pump-and-dump schemes. Experienced researchers distinguish between authentic enthusiasm and manufactured hype.

Understanding Regulatory and Security Considerations

The regulatory landscape significantly impacts cryptocurrency projects. Researchers investigate whether projects have faced regulatory scrutiny, registered as securities, or implemented compliance measures. Geographic restrictions, potential legal challenges, and regulatory clarity all affect long-term viability.

Security audits from reputable firms like CertiK, Trail of Bits, or ConsenSys Diligence provide crucial assurance about smart contract safety. Unaudited contracts carry significant risk of exploits and bugs. Researchers also examine a project's history—has it been hacked before? How did the team respond to security incidents?

Reading Between the Lines: Red Flags and Warning Signs

Experienced investors develop instincts for spotting problematic projects. Guaranteed returns and promises of unrealistic gains are immediate red flags. Legitimate projects acknowledge risk and market volatility rather than making impossible promises. Copied whitepapers, stolen team photos, or vague technical descriptions suggest scams.

Pressure tactics like "limited time offers" or artificial scarcity designed to force quick decisions without research are classic manipulation techniques. Projects with more focus on marketing than product development, especially those heavily promoted by influencers being paid to shill, warrant extreme skepticism.

The Research Never Stops

Cryptocurrency research isn't a one-time activity but an ongoing process. Markets evolve rapidly, projects pivot, teams change, and new competitors emerge. Successful investors establish systems for monitoring their holdings and staying updated on developments. Setting up Google Alerts, following project social channels, and regularly reviewing analytics help maintain awareness of changing conditions.

Whether you're evaluating established cryptocurrencies or exploring emerging altcoins, thorough research remains your best defense against losses and your greatest tool for identifying opportunities. The time invested in understanding what you're buying pays dividends through better decision-making and improved portfolio performance in this dynamic, high-stakes market.

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