Scroll has quickly become a leading player in the world of zkEVMs, focusing on full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. For founders and investors, this means any project or smart contract built for Ethereum can move to Scroll with little or no changes. This isn't just about convenience, it's about trust and future-proofing your work.

Deep technical alignment with Ethereum matters. Scroll's design closely follows Ethereum's own code and updates. That means developers don't need to worry about learning new tools or losing support when Ethereum evolves. For anyone building in crypto, this level of alignment can be the difference between rapid growth and slowdowns caused by technical headaches.

As Ethereum pushes toward more scalable solutions through rollups, questions arise: How will zkEVMs impact security and cost? Will devs face hurdles in deploying their apps? Can Scroll avoid fragmentation that hurts liquidity and user reach? This post sets the stage to answer those questions and shows why full compatibility and deep alignment are shaping the next wave of blockchain innovation.

What Is Scroll? A zkEVM That Stays True to Ethereum

Scroll is a Layer 2 network built to scale Ethereum while sticking closely to its principles and features. At its core, Scroll is a zkEVM, meaning it uses zero-knowledge proofs in combination with a fully compatible Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). For founders, investors, and builders, this means projects can launch on Scroll without losing the core security and user experience of Ethereum itself. How can Scroll achieve this balance of scale, cost, and alignment? Let's look at what makes Scroll a zkEVM and why it's standing out as the most Ethereum-like option for ambitious teams.

How Does Scroll Work?

Scroll acts as a general-purpose, EVM-compatible zero-knowledge rollup. It operates off-chain to run computations but publishes cryptographic proofs to Ethereum, showing the execution is valid.

  • Layered Design: Scroll uses three main layers:
    • A sequencing layer to bundle transactions.
    • A proving layer to create zero-knowledge proofs.
    • Settlement on Ethereum, where proofs are verified and data is stored.
  • Zero-Knowledge Proofs: When users send transactions on Scroll, these are batched, executed, and then proven correct through advanced cryptography. Only the proof and summarized data hit the Ethereum mainnet, saving on space and cost.
  • Ethereum as the Arbiter: Scroll relies on Ethereum for final verification, so security is always anchored to the mainnet.
  • Native EVM Compatibility: Scroll replicates the exact execution environment of Ethereum, processing Solidity contracts, addresses, and gas fees in the same way as the main chain.

Wondering why this setup is so impactful? It achieves scale and privacy improvements without reinventing the wheel for Ethereum developers.

What Makes Scroll’s zkEVM Different?

Not all zkEVMs take the same path. Here’s what sets Scroll apart:

  • Bytecode-Level Compatibility: Scroll can run existing Ethereum smart contracts without major changes. Teams can deploy the same Solidity code and expect it to work as intended.
  • Smooth Migration: Founders and DAOs can move their projects to Scroll easily, keeping wallets, addresses, and developer tools unchanged.
  • Stays in Sync with Ethereum: Scroll closely tracks Ethereum’s upgrades and codebase. If Ethereum introduces a new opcode or feature, Scroll aims to include it as soon as possible.
  • Direct Support for Dev Tools: Everything from MetaMask to popular SDKs can work without custom integrations or wrappers.

Many founders ask: “Will launching on Scroll mean retraining our team or rewriting our code?” With Scroll’s design, the answer is almost always no.

Core Benefits for Builders and Investors

Founders and VCs want confidence their projects will be ready for the future. Scroll offers this by focusing on:

  • Security: The mainnet verifies every proof. Even if Scroll’s infrastructure is attacked, assets and data stay safe as long as Ethereum itself is secure.
  • Reduced Costs: By offloading most computation off-chain, Scroll can offer lower transaction fees than mainnet Ethereum, while maintaining a familiar experience for users.
  • Scalability: Scroll supports high-throughput apps, letting DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and DAOs scale to thousands or millions of users.
  • Future-Proofing: Projects aren’t trapped in a silo or forced to pick between “fast but different” and “safe but expensive.” Scroll truly aims to be both.

Common Questions from Founders and Investors

Natural questions pop up for any team evaluating where to launch or invest. Here are a few we often see:

  • Can we use the same security audits for Scroll as for Mainnet contracts?
  • Do wallets like MetaMask and Ledger work with Scroll addresses?
  • Will Scroll keep up if Ethereum issues major upgrades, like new opcodes?
  • How quickly can we migrate liquidity and users to Scroll?

Scroll’s strong technical and community alignment with Ethereum helps answer many of these with a simple “yes,” and signals long-term reliability for anyone betting on the Ethereum ecosystem.

How Scroll Implements zkEVM: Technology and Architecture

Scroll’s technology stands out for its ability to run Ethereum applications at scale without asking teams to change their code or security models. Its architecture is layered, integrating zero-knowledge proofs with full EVM compatibility. Let’s look under the hood at how Scroll achieves security, cheap transactions, and a truly Ethereum-like feel.

Specialized Circuits and ZK Proofs in Scroll

At the heart of Scroll’s zkEVM is a series of highly specialized cryptographic circuits. These circuits are designed to process and verify every computation that takes place, from smart contract execution to storage operations—mirroring Ethereum’s own behavior. The outcome? Succinct zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs that vouch for the correctness of all transactions within a block, without revealing sensitive transaction details.

How does this translate into security and scalability?

  • Single Proof for Many Transactions: Instead of verifying every transaction on-chain, Scroll bundles hundreds (even thousands) of them together, then generates a single succinct proof that says, “All these actions followed the rules.” This proof is then sent to Ethereum for final approval.
  • No Need to Trust the Operator: Since Ethereum itself checks these proofs, even if a third party tries to act maliciously on Scroll, the proof won’t match, and Ethereum will reject the batch.
  • Fast Finality and Data Availability: Proofs are posted to Ethereum’s mainnet, fixing state changes permanently and giving teams confidence their contracts are safe.
  • High Throughput, Reduced Costs: By batching and proving at scale, Scroll pushes down transaction costs compared to Ethereum mainnet—often by an order of magnitude or more.

Founders may wonder, is the proof generation too slow or expensive for real-world use? Scroll’s circuit design is evolving rapidly, with specialized hardware and algorithms making proofs faster each month. This means even DeFi platforms or NFT projects with thousands of users can enjoy cheap, reliable finality.

Seamless Ethereum Compatibility

Scroll's most powerful feature is full bytecode-level compatibility with Ethereum. This goes much deeper than basic Solidity support. In practice, it means:

  • Run Unchanged Contracts: Contracts compiled to Ethereum bytecode run on Scroll exactly as they do on mainnet. No tweaks, no rewrites, no surprises.
  • All the Tools Still Work: Popular wallets (like MetaMask), developer tools, and infrastructure services plug right in. Teams can use the same workflow they trust today.
  • Addresses and Standards Stay the Same: Your ERC-20 tokens, NFT contracts, DAO voting systems—they all behave as they do on Ethereum, with matching addresses and full compatibility for standards.

Why does this matter so much for migration? Most founders don’t want to spend months adapting their projects for a new chain, only to face weird edge cases or bugs. Scroll removes these headaches, letting teams feel at home instantly.

Common questions from technical leaders include:

  • Do our dApp users need a new wallet or address to use Scroll?
  • Will smart contracts behave identically compared to mainnet execution?
  • Can we use the same security audits, or do we need Scroll-specific reviews?

With Scroll’s architecture, the answer is almost always “Yes, it just works.” This gives founders speed, keeps security strong, and removes one of the biggest risks in scaling up or moving on-chain products to new environments.

If you've wondered what it would look like for Ethereum to get a supercharged, parallel twin, Scroll is about as close as it gets—making scaling frictionless and straightforward for both big and small web3 teams.

Scroll Ecosystem, Integrations, and Growth Metrics

The Scroll ecosystem in 2025 stands out for both its rapid growth and its deep technical alignment with Ethereum. Scroll’s position as a bytecode-equivalent zkEVM isn’t just a technical choice—it’s the foundation for widespread ecosystem adoption, a dynamic developer community, and quick onboarding of Ethereum-native projects. If you’re a founder, investor, or team builder trying to measure the true progress of a scaling solution, it’s helpful to look at real, on-chain activity and how integrations connect protocols, liquidity, and end users.

Ecosystem Expansion and Integrations

Native compatibility is what makes Scroll’s ecosystem so vibrant. Hundreds of dApps, services, and tools that already run on Ethereum now operate with minimal updates on Scroll. This has allowed the ecosystem to absorb the best of DeFi, NFTs, payments, and real-world asset platforms.

Here’s a snapshot of what's happening in 2025:

  • Top Projects and Integrations: Prominent platforms like Reservoir, USDC, LayerZero, Stargate, and Ambient Finance have deployed, addressing everything from liquidity to cross-chain bridges and MEV management.
  • DeFi and Payments: Fractional NFT protocols (Fractionax), stablecoin protocols (Quill Finance), crypto-backed lending (Morpho, Gelato), and payment platforms (ether.fi Cash) are setting new records. For example, ether.fi Cash hit over $50 million in total value locked and over 200,000 settled transactions.
  • Developer Tools: Scroll-focused tools like audit marketplaces, embedded payments (Crossmint), and asset tokenization (Nexity) simplify deployment and security, streamlining launch and compliance for new projects.
  • Cross-Chain and Real-World Use Cases: Developers are integrating bridges (LayerZero, Stargate) and asset tokenization platforms that connect with both crypto-native and traditional financial use cases.

If you check the Scroll ecosystem page, you’ll find dozens of new listings each month, offering founders a quick preview of how broad and rapidly shifting this landscape is. Have a favorite Ethereum tool? In most cases, it works on Scroll today.

Growth Metrics: Users, Activity, and TVL

Metrics paint a clear picture of what’s working across Layer 2 solutions. For Scroll, growth is real and accelerating. Let’s break down the numbers that matter most for founders and investors:

  • Transaction Volume: Daily transactions have hit consistent highs, stabilizing at 30,000 to 40,000 per day through Q2 2025, with peaks over 87,000 during times of market volatility or major launches.
  • Active Addresses: Most days, Scroll supports 5,000 to 15,000 active wallets, with wide spikes—upwards of 45,000 during major conferences or airdrop events.
  • Project Onboarding: More than 200 new projects are onboarded each month, including dApps, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and infrastructure tools.
  • Total Value Locked (TVL): Scroll has reached over $748 million in TVL, ranking third among Layer 2 solutions according to current DeFi industry data.
  • Developer Activity: Scroll’s developer engagement surged during events like EthCC and hackathons, measuring some of the highest open-source commit rates and new code pushes among all Layer 2s.

Readers may wonder: Is this adoption just speculative, or do these projects have real users? Data shows strong user retention and sustained on-chain activity, suggesting Scroll isn’t just attracting a flood of temporary opportunists but building a sticky, foundational user base.

Technical and Governance Innovations Driving Growth

Continued technical progress and a transparent approach to governance have both played major roles in Scroll’s expansion:

  • Euclid Upgrade: In Q2 2025, Scroll rolled out its largest-ever protocol overhaul with the Euclid upgrade, introducing an open zkVM prover, seamless MPT integration for state management, and new account abstraction standards (EIP-7702, RIP-7212) for smarter wallets and improved UX.
  • Decentralization Milestone: Scroll achieved Stage 1 decentralization, removing centralized sequencer dependence, ensuring every user can trust permissionless transaction inclusion, and setting a Layer 2 precedent for censorship resistance and exit rights.
  • Block Time and Fees: Block times now sit at around 1 second with low and predictable fees, giving dApps a reliable and cost-effective backbone for scale.
  • Targeted Ecosystem Programs: The Scroll Foundation formed an Ecosystem Growth Council (EGC) with a $700,000 budget for regional expansion, founder onboarding, developer bounties, and aggressive tooling support. Its transparent, DAO-governed structure encourages fast experiments while maintaining community oversight.

Founders often ask: Who ensures the ecosystem remains dynamic and trusted? The EGC, with open proposal reviews and decentralized oversight, gives builders and VCs clarity and a path for their voice to be heard.

Key Trends and Reader Questions

Need help deciding if Scroll is right for your project or portfolio? These ongoing trends and questions might help guide your next steps:

  • Which DeFi protocols are seeing real traction on Scroll, not just empty TVL?
  • How does Scroll handle scaling without sacrificing user experience or security?
  • Do on-chain metrics look healthy enough to support large user-facing launches today?
  • Will regional user onboarding continue to grow, especially in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets?

By tracking both the hard metrics and the real stories behind ecosystem integrations, Scroll shows what it looks like when a zkEVM drives genuine, sticky growth for founders and investors.

Risks, Challenges, and the Road to Full Decentralization

zkEVM solutions like Scroll promise fast, secure, and Ethereum-compatible scaling, but the journey to a fully decentralized Layer 2 isn’t a straight line. As more founders and projects migrate to zkEVMs, understanding the core risks and ongoing challenges can help teams anticipate roadblocks and make informed decisions. This section highlights the major technical, security, and governance issues every founder, investor, and user should track as Scroll and similar networks move toward true decentralization.

Technical Challenges of zkEVMs

Unlike Layer 1 blockchains, zkEVMs bring new technical hurdles, especially around proof generation and synchronizing with Ethereum.

  • Proof Generation Speed: Zero-knowledge proofs, particularly zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs, require specialized and sometimes expensive hardware. Generating and verifying proofs at high speed is critical for smooth app experiences. Delays or bottlenecks can impact user trust or leave dApps vulnerable to downtime.
  • Hardware Dependency: Many zkEVMs, including Scroll, lean on advanced GPUs or even custom chips to generate proofs efficiently. This can push up costs or centralize power among those able to supply or operate this hardware.
  • Keeping up with Ethereum Upgrades: Full bytecode compatibility means constantly adjusting to Ethereum’s shifting codebase. Every Ethereum network upgrade must be replicated, tested, and secured within zkEVMs. A single missed step may break app compatibility or leave security gaps.

Reader question: How will Scroll keep pace with Ethereum forks and upgrades if it’s processing complex proofs at scale?

Security Risks and User Trust

Even with cryptographic guarantees, zkEVMs introduce security considerations unique to their design.

  • Sequencer and Prover Decentralization: Early zkEVMs often start with centralized sequencers or proof generators. Centralization can create single points of failure or trust, threatening censorship resistance or opening the door to malicious activity.
  • Audit Complexity: Bytecode-level compatibility doesn’t remove the need for thorough audits. The mix of new cryptographic techniques, changing proof code, and ongoing integration with Ethereum increases the challenge of discovering subtle bugs or attack vectors.
  • Exit Rights and Asset Access: Users want the ability to withdraw assets from Layer 2 to Ethereum confidently, even during attacks or network interruptions. Scroll’s path to Stage 2 and 3 decentralization will hinge on independent provers and permissionless exits, but it takes time and robust engineering to get there.

Reader question: What protections are in place if zkEVM provers or sequencers fail or become malicious, even briefly?

Governance and Decentralization Path

True decentralization requires more than technical milestones. Governance and control need special attention as networks mature.

  • Transitioning Away from Central Control: The early versions of many zkEVMs—including Scroll—use multisigs or foundations to upgrade contracts or operators quickly. This is convenient, but how soon will Scroll reach the point where the community can propose and enforce changes?
  • Community Oversight and DAO Evolution: Community-run councils and on-chain voting promise transparency, but aligning incentives, onboarding diverse stakeholders, and managing upgrade risks can slow progress.
  • Tokenomics and Incentive Design: Effective decentralization depends on rewards for independent provers, sequencers, and governance participants. Poor design could centralize control around a handful of whales or fail to attract enough honest, distributed actors.

Reader question: When will Scroll reach “full” decentralization, not just in tech but in decision-making?

The Ongoing Roadmap: Balancing Efficiency, Security, and Openness

Reaching full decentralization is more like running a marathon than a sprint. Networks such as Scroll must:

  • Increase the number and independence of provers.
  • Reduce reliance on specialized or scarce hardware.
  • Transition critical roles to transparent, community-driven governance.
  • Maintain constant security reviews as cryptography and attack methods change.

Each step forward unlocks new opportunities for builders, but introduces choices about speed versus safety. Patience and transparency build user confidence, while shortcuts might lead to centralization or user loss.

In the end, the long-term health of any zkEVM depends on striking the right balance—scaling fast, staying secure, and truly letting the community steer the ship.

The Future of zkEVMs and Scroll’s Place in Ethereum Scaling

The next chapter for Ethereum scalability centers on zkEVMs—zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines—that promise low fees, fast transactions, and security tied to the mainnet. zkEVMs use cryptography to prove large batches of transactions are valid, so Ethereum doesn’t have to process each one by itself. As the Layer 2 race heats up, new zkEVMs are quickly improving compatibility, speed, and decentralization. In this environment, Scroll stands out by aiming for true bytecode compatibility and deep, ongoing alignment with every shift in Ethereum’s design. Let’s break down where zkEVMs are headed, what obstacles remain, and how Scroll is carving out its position for the long haul.

Trends Shaping the Future of zkEVMs

Ethereum’s desire for mass adoption has fueled the rapid growth of layer 2 scaling solutions. zkEVMs are now at the core of this evolution. Here are the key drivers and challenges:

  • Stronger EVM Equivalence: The closer a zkEVM mimics Ethereum at the bytecode level, the less work for developers and the smoother the migration for apps and users.
  • Lower Fees, More Users: Advancements in zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs cut costs and open doors for consumer apps, DeFi, and on-chain games.
  • Decentralization & Security: The industry is shifting from early single-operator models to multi-prover and multi-sequencer networks, aiming to reduce single points of failure.
  • Rapid Proof Generation: Efficiency gains are shrinking the time and computing power needed to generate zero-knowledge proofs, which allows more use cases and a better app experience.
  • Cross-Layer Interoperability: Standardization between different rollups and bridges is helping avoid fragmentation and unlocking bigger network effects.

Readers often ask if zkEVMs will make Ethereum truly ready for mainstream adoption or if performance will lag as new features are added to the base chain. The prevailing view is that as hardware, standards, and algorithms improve, zkEVMs will keep pace, not just as a band-aid but as a permanent scaling pillar.

Scroll’s Unique Approach and Competitive Advantage

Scroll has gained significant attention by targeting bytecode-level compatibility (Type 1/2 zkEVM) while keeping all technical decisions in sync with Ethereum’s core codebase. This means that smart contracts, dev tools, and wallets all work as expected, giving founders and investors peace of mind.

How is Scroll approaching the scaling race differently?

  • Ethereum-First Philosophy: Scroll updates in lockstep with Ethereum, integrating changes like new opcodes or consensus upgrades almost as soon as they hit mainnet.
  • Open zk Proofs: The Euclid upgrade, for example, introduced a new open zkVM prover architecture, enabling independent parties to validate proofs rather than just a core Scroll team or centralized sequencer.
  • Commitment to Decentralization: Scroll is following a measured, public roadmap toward decentralizing not just sequencing, but prover infrastructure and governance as well.
  • Native Ecosystem Support: With its strict adherence to Ethereum standards, projects can move to Scroll and instantly benefit from pooled liquidity, shared security, and rapid feature adoption.

One common question is: Can Scroll keep up if Ethereum continues to evolve rapidly with protocol upgrades or enshrined ZK features? Scroll’s answer is to prioritize compatibility first, even if it means taking longer to roll out certain performance tweaks.

Unresolved Challenges for zkEVMs and Scroll

While the pace of zkEVM progress is impressive, founders and VCs should keep these open issues on their radar:

  • Hardware Requirements: Proof creation for zkEVMs is computationally heavy and may require advanced GPUs or custom chips, which could limit decentralization unless multi-prover networks become widespread.
  • Decentralized Governance: Most zkEVMs, including Scroll, are in the early stages of on-chain community governance. The shift to full permissionless control is gradual and requires careful design of incentives, penalties, and emergency recovery paths.
  • Interoperability & Cross-Chain Risks: As more zkEVMs launch, bridging assets and data between these networks represents a security and UX challenge. Standards and audits are needed to avoid splitting liquidity or exposing users to new risks.
  • Standardization of Proofs and Clients: Today, proof generation software and clients are mostly unique per zkEVM. This risks creating silos unless the broader ecosystem adopts shared standards and open-source libraries.

Prospective users and investors might wonder if these pain points will push projects back to optimism rollups or even the mainnet. However, the push toward both technical and ecosystem standardization is strong, with clear incentives to close these gaps.

Scroll’s Role in Ethereum’s Long-Term Scaling Vision

Ethereum core developers have signaled a move toward making zero-knowledge proofs a native part of the chain in the coming years. Scroll, by being bytecode-equivalent and deeply aligned with Ethereum’s values, is prepared to act as:

  • A reliable “twin” of Ethereum for any project wanting to scale without compromise.
  • An environment for testing out Ethereum upgrades safely at scale before mainnet adoption.
  • A force for driving standards in proof verification, client libraries, and governance best practices across all zkEVMs.

Key questions for founders now include:

  • Will Scroll’s approach make it a bridge for legacy DeFi and NFT projects moving off mainnet?
  • Can it help onboard the next million non-crypto users without app rewrites or complex UX fixes?
  • Is Scroll’s decentralization roadmap transparent and realistic for VC-backed projects needing long-term predictability?

In the rapidly-evolving race for Ethereum scaling, Scroll has made its bet: stay as close as possible to Ethereum in both technology and culture. For teams that want certainty, compatibility, and an open future, that's a strategy worth watching closely.

Conclusion

Scroll has set a new standard for Ethereum scaling by giving founders full bytecode compatibility and deep alignment with the core network. Its zkEVM solution enables apps, tokens, and tools to work out of the box, giving crypto teams a fast-track to lower costs and wider adoption without changing code or security models.

Scroll's technical choices—like transparent governance, open-source proof systems, and rapid response to Ethereum upgrades—make it an anchor for those seeking reliability as they scale. For founders and investors deciding how to use L2s or bridge existing products, Scroll answers clear questions: Can we move fast without losing Ethereum’s security? Will new rollups fragment users or let us keep developer momentum? Does TVL growth signal real users, not just hype?

By focusing on native compatibility, relentless ecosystem support, and a steady path to decentralization, Scroll is helping reshape what it means to build in crypto. Thanks for reading—if you’re planning your next move or scaling your project, consider how Scroll's approach may fit your roadmap. What would true compatibility and alignment unlock for your team? Share your thoughts and experiences with Scroll as the zkEVM space moves forward.