ZKSwap Crypto Exchange Review: Gas-Free Trading on Layer 2

Ben Bevan 6 November 2025 15 Comments

Gas Fee Savings Calculator

Gas Savings Calculator

Current Ethereum Gas Price (Gwei) Typical range: 10-100 Gwei (use 20 for average)

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How it works: Each Ethereum trade costs ~0.0002 ETH in gas fees. ZKSwap has zero gas fees for swaps.

What is ZKSwap?

ZKSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on Layer 2 ZK-Rollup technology that lets users trade crypto without paying gas fees. Unlike traditional DEXs like Uniswap or PancakeSwap that run directly on Ethereum, ZKSwap processes trades off-chain and batches them into a single proof verified on Ethereum. This means you get near-instant trades, zero gas fees for swaps, and full control over your funds-no custodial risk.

Originally launched in 2020, ZKSwap started as a simple DEX on Ethereum. But by 2024, it evolved into zkSwap Finance, a multi-chain DeFi hub now live on ZKsync Era, Monad, and Sonic networks. The upgrade wasn’t just cosmetic-it added new tools like a token heatmap, cross-chain bridge with insurance, and a paymaster system that lets you pay fees in any token, not just ETH.

How ZKSwap Works: No Gas, No Slowdown

Most crypto exchanges charge gas fees every time you swap tokens. On Ethereum, that can cost $5-$50 depending on network congestion. ZKSwap removes that entirely. Here’s how:

You connect your wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc.) to ZKSwap’s interface.
You deposit tokens into the ZK-Rollup smart contract-your funds stay yours, locked in a secure Ethereum contract.
Trades happen instantly on Layer 2. No waiting for block confirmations.
Every few minutes, ZKSwap bundles thousands of trades into one cryptographic proof (a zk-SNARK) and submits it to Ethereum.
Ethereum verifies the proof and updates balances. You never pay for that verification.

This architecture lets ZKSwap handle over 10,000 transactions per second. Compare that to Ethereum’s 15-45 TPS. You’re trading like you’re on a centralized exchange-but without giving up custody.

Key Features of zkSwap Finance v3

The current version, zkSwap Finance v3, isn’t just a DEX. It’s a full DeFi toolkit:

Swap2Earn: Earn rewards just by swapping tokens. The protocol distributes a portion of trading fees back to users in ZF tokens.
Token Heatmap: See which tokens are trending in real time with color-coded charts-no more guessing what’s hot.
DEX Aggregator: Automatically finds the best price across multiple liquidity sources, even on other chains.
Paymaster System: Pay gas fees using any token you hold, not just ETH. This removes the need to hold ETH just for transaction costs.
Cross-Chain Bridge: Move assets between ZKsync, Monad, and Sonic with built-in insurance coverage for bridge failures.

These features make zkSwap Finance ideal for active traders who want speed, low cost, and smart tools-all in one place.

ZKS vs ZF: The Two Tokens

ZKSwap runs on two tokens, and confusing them is a common mistake.

ZKS is the original governance token. It was launched in 2020 and used to vote on protocol upgrades. Its supply is fixed, and its price has dropped significantly since its peak.
ZF is the new utility token for zkSwap Finance. It powers Swap2Earn, fee discounts, and rewards. 75% of protocol profits are used to buy back ZF tokens, which could support its price over time.

Don’t confuse ZKS with ZF. If you’re trading on zkSwap Finance, you’ll interact mostly with ZF. ZKS is mostly relevant if you’re holding long-term or want to participate in governance-but governance is now largely inactive as the team shifted focus to ZF.

Wearable DeFi dashboard with heatmap and bridge animation on a matte black wrist device.

Security and Audits

Security is a big concern in DeFi. ZKSwap’s approach is strong:

All user funds are held in smart contracts on Ethereum, not in a company wallet.
zkSwap Finance’s core contracts were audited by Certik, scoring 93/100-a top-tier rating for DeFi protocols.
Zero-knowledge proofs eliminate the risk of fraudulent transaction data being submitted.
The cross-chain bridge includes insurance coverage for losses due to bridge exploits.

That said, no DeFi protocol is 100% safe. Always start with small amounts. Never connect your wallet to unofficial sites-only use zks.finance.

How ZKSwap Compares to Other DEXs

ZKSwap vs Other DEXs: Key Differences
Feature	ZKSwap (zkSwap Finance)	PancakeSwap	Uniswap v3	SyncSwap
Network	Multi-chain (ZKsync, Monad, Sonic)	BNB Chain (Layer 1)	Ethereum (Layer 1)	ZKsync Era (Layer 2)
Gas Fees	Zero for swaps	BNB gas fees apply	Ethereum gas fees apply	Zero for swaps
TPS Capacity	10,000+	~100	~15	~2,000
Token Selection	Medium (growing)	High	Very High	High
Extra Tools	Heatmap, Paymaster, Swap2Earn	Farming, Lottery	Advanced liquidity pools	Basic swap only

ZKSwap stands out because it combines zero gas fees with advanced DeFi tools. PancakeSwap has more tokens and more users, but you’re stuck paying BNB fees. Uniswap is the gold standard for liquidity, but gas fees make small trades impractical. SyncSwap is similar to ZKSwap but lacks the ecosystem tools.

Who Is ZKSwap For?

ZKSwap isn’t for everyone. Here’s who it works best for:

Active traders: If you swap tokens multiple times a day, zero gas fees save you hundreds per month.
Layer 2 believers: You think Ethereum’s future is in ZK-Rollups, not sidechains or other L2s.
DeFi power users: You like tools-heatmaps, aggregators, paymasters-and don’t mind a steeper learning curve.

It’s not ideal if:

You’re new to crypto and still learning how wallets work.
You want access to thousands of tokens-ZKSwap’s list is still smaller than Uniswap’s.
You’re looking for a simple, one-click swap with no extra features.

For beginners, start with Uniswap or PancakeSwap. Once you’re comfortable with wallets and gas fees, ZKSwap becomes a game-changer.

Titanium token card with e-ink display showing ZF rewards and zk-SNARK geometric patterns.

Price Predictions for ZKS and ZF

Token price predictions are speculative, but here’s what analysts are saying for 2025:

ZKS: Average forecast is $0.1598. Some predict $0.18, others $0.04. It’s volatile and trading near all-time lows.
ZF: No public price data yet-launched in late 2024. Its value will depend on adoption of Swap2Earn and buybacks.

Don’t invest based on predictions. ZKS has lost over 80% of its peak value. ZF’s success hinges on whether users actually use the platform enough to generate fees and buybacks.

Getting Started with ZKSwap

Here’s how to start trading on zkSwap Finance:

Install a wallet: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or WalletConnect.
Buy ETH or USDC on a centralized exchange like Binance or Kraken.
Send ETH or USDC to your wallet.
Go to zks.finance and connect your wallet.
Use the bridge to move funds from Ethereum to ZKsync Era (takes 5-15 minutes).
Swap tokens, earn rewards, use the heatmap, or set up a paymaster.

First-time users report it takes 2-3 hours to get comfortable if you’ve used other DEXs. Newcomers to DeFi may need 8-10 hours to understand Layer 2 concepts.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Zero gas fees for all trades
10,000+ TPS-no lag, even during high volume
Multi-chain support (ZKsync, Monad, Sonic)
Advanced tools: heatmap, paymaster, Swap2Earn
High security score (Certik 93/100)

Cons

Smaller token selection than Uniswap or PancakeSwap
Complex for absolute beginners
ZKS token price has crashed-low liquidity
Relies on ZK-Rollup tech, which is still evolving

Final Verdict

ZKSwap isn’t just another DEX. It’s a glimpse into the future of decentralized trading: fast, cheap, and user-controlled. If you’re tired of paying $20 in gas fees to swap $50 worth of tokens, ZKSwap is one of the few platforms that actually solves that problem.

The transition from ZKSwap Classic to zkSwap Finance shows the team is still building. The addition of multi-chain support and Swap2Earn proves they’re not resting on their tech. The main risk? Adoption. If users don’t move in large numbers, the liquidity won’t grow, and the tools won’t matter.

For experienced DeFi users who want speed, low cost, and innovation-ZKSwap is one of the best options on the market. For everyone else, stick with Uniswap for now. But if you’re ready to leap into the next generation of DEXs, ZKSwap is a solid place to start.

Is ZKSwap safe to use?

Yes, ZKSwap is one of the safer DeFi platforms. Its core contracts were audited by Certik with a score of 93/100. User funds are held in Ethereum-based smart contracts, not in company wallets. The platform uses ZK-Rollups, which prevent fraudulent transactions from being processed. However, always use the official site (zks.finance) and never share your private key. Cross-chain bridges have insurance, but no system is 100% hack-proof.

Do I need ETH to use ZKSwap?

You need ETH to initially deposit funds into the ZK-Rollup, because Ethereum gas fees apply when moving assets from Layer 1 to Layer 2. But once your funds are on ZKSwap’s Layer 2 network, you can swap tokens, use the bridge, and interact with all features without paying any gas fees. The paymaster system also lets you pay any future Layer 2 fees using tokens like USDC or ZF, not just ETH.

What’s the difference between ZKS and ZF tokens?

ZKS is the original governance token from ZKSwap’s 2020 launch. It’s mostly inactive now. ZF is the new utility token for zkSwap Finance, launched in 2024. ZF powers rewards (Swap2Earn), fee discounts, and buybacks-75% of protocol profits are used to buy ZF tokens. If you’re trading on the current platform, you’re using ZF, not ZKS.

Can I use ZKSwap on my phone?

Yes. ZKSwap works with mobile wallets like Trust Wallet, MetaMask Mobile, and TokenPocket. Just open the app, connect to zks.finance through WalletConnect, and you can trade, bridge, and earn rewards directly from your phone. The interface is optimized for mobile, though some advanced features like the heatmap are easier to use on desktop.

Why is ZKSwap better than PancakeSwap?

ZKSwap eliminates gas fees entirely, while PancakeSwap charges BNB fees on every trade. ZKSwap also supports multi-chain trading and offers advanced tools like a token heatmap and paymaster system. PancakeSwap has more tokens and higher liquidity, but if you trade frequently, ZKSwap’s cost savings and speed make it superior for active users. PancakeSwap is better for beginners; ZKSwap is better for those who want to optimize every trade.

What’s the future of ZKSwap?

ZKSwap’s future depends on adoption. The team is expanding to more Layer 2 chains and adding institutional-grade tools. If more traders move away from high-gas platforms, ZKSwap could become a leading DEX in the ZK-Rollup space. However, competition from SyncSwap, Loopring, and even Uniswap’s own Layer 2 solutions is growing. Success isn’t guaranteed, but the technology behind it is among the most promising in DeFi.