What Zilliqa does

Zilliqa Group Pte Ltd is a Singapore-headquartered, privately held blockchain infrastructure company founded in 2016 that operates the Zilliqa Layer-1 protocol. The platform was originally notable for pioneering sharding in production blockchain networks and has, in 2025, completed a major architectural transition to Zilliqa 2.0, moving from Proof-of-Work to a Proof-of-Stake consensus (Pipelined Fast-HotStuff) with ~5 second block finality and full EVM compatibility. The 2.0 stack includes X-Shards for customizable application-specific shard environments, Smart Accounts with ERC-4337 account abstraction, Light Clients for trustless verification without full nodes, and the Universal Cross-Chain Broker (UCCB) plus X-Bridge for cross-chain EVM interoperability.

Zilliqa serves two primary user segments: developers and enterprises building decentralized applications, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, tokenization, or sovereign chains on its EVM-compatible stack, and ZIL token holders/validators who stake or delegate assets to secure the network and participate in governance. Revenue mechanics are protocol-native: users pay gas fees in ZIL for transaction processing, validators earn staking rewards adjusted monthly through decentralized governance by gZIL token holders (86,000+), and X-Shards can be configured with custom tokenomics. There is no publicly disclosed enterprise pricing; go-to-market is product-led and community-led through self-service developer (dev.zilliqa.com), staking (stake.zilliqa.com), and governance (gov.zilliqa.com) portals, supplemented by an ecosystem of exchanges, wallets, validators, and integration partners including Chainlink, Ledger, and Request Finance.

The company operates with a small team (11-50 employees) and is led by interim CEO Alexander Zahnd following Matt Dyer's departure in 2025. Strategic emphasis has shifted toward regulatory-ready, institutionally aligned infrastructure, evidenced by the LTIN partnership in Liechtenstein, the zUSDC stablecoin launch via X-Bridge, and the repositioning of developer education via Plunder Academy. AI integrations (ElizaOS, GOAT Framework) have been added to enable agentic on-chain actions, positioning the chain as potential settlement infrastructure for AI agents.

Name

Zilliqa

Legal name

Zilliqa Group Pte Ltd

Website

https://zilliqa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zilliqa is a Singapore-based Layer-1 blockchain platform that operates the Zilliqa protocol, recently transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake, EVM-compatible 2.0 architecture with customizable X-Shards and cross-chain interoperability, serving developers, enterprises, and ZIL token holders/validators globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Layer-1 Blockchain Infrastructure

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Securities and Commodity Exchanges (52321)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Permissioned Blockchain Platforms & Frameworks (Hyperledger, Corda, Quorum) (FSAPAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interoperability & Cross-Chain Infrastructure (Bridges, Messaging, Atomic Swaps) (FSAGAMAI), Compliance, Risk & RegTech for Tokenized Assets (KYC/AML, sanctions, travel rule, reporting) (FSAPAIAH), Identity, Credentials & Permissioning for Enterprises (DID/VC, access control, attestations) (FSAPAIAG)

Keywords

• Blockchain infrastructure
• Smart contract platform
• Decentralized finance protocols
• Cross-chain interoperability
• Proof-of-stake consensus

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Transaction/Gas Fees: Users pay gas fees in ZIL for transaction processing on the network. Gas prices and staking rewards are adjusted monthly through decentralized governance.
2. Staking Rewards: Validator nodes earn rewards for block production and attestation based on staked ZIL. Users can delegate ZIL to validators and share in rewards. Dynamic staking rewards are adjusted based on block space utilization.
3. X-Shard Tokenomics: X-shards can be configured to charge state rent, conduct gas price auctions, or use their own native tokens for gas fees and staking rewards, creating custom token economies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zilliqa is a Layer-1 public blockchain platform that provides scalable, secure, EVM-compatible infrastructure. It sells access to its blockchain protocol, including customizable X-Shards (sovereign application-specific chains), cross-chain communication via X-Bridge and the Universal Cross-Chain Broker (UCCB), and staking services. The platform serves developers and enterprises building decentralized applications, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and institutional-grade tokenization solutions.

Product overview

Zilliqa offers a unified platform architecture built around the core Zilliqa 2.0 blockchain, which delivers scalable, secure, and EVM-compatible infrastructure for institutions. The platform integrates multiple interconnected modules: X-Shards enable customizable application-specific blockchain environments; X-Bridge and the Universal Cross-Chain Broker (UCCB) power cross-chain communication and interoperability; Smart Accounts provide account abstraction with enhanced security features; Light Clients allow trustless network interaction without full nodes; and Tokenomics maintains sustainable economic incentives targeting zero inflation. The ecosystem includes staking functionality (with normal and liquid staking options), gZIL governance for decentralized decision-making, developer tools (Address Converter, Learn Scilla, Plunder Academy with AI reviewer), wallets (ZilPay, Zillet, Torch Wallet), block explorers, DEXs, and integrations with bridges, infrastructure providers, and exchanges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• gZIL: Governance token for Zilliqa protocol, holders participate in decentralized governance decisions
• gZIL Collective
• X-Bridge
• Plunder Academy
• PlunderSwap
• LTIN (Liechtenstein Trust Integrity Network)

Products and services

• Zilliqa 2.0 Mainnet (Agate)
• Staking Portal
• gZIL Governance Platform
• X-Bridge Cross-Chain Bridge
• zUSDC Stablecoin via X-Bridge
• Plunder Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• ~5 seconds block finality
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration42 records

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LTIN (Liechtenstein Trust Integrity Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationLTIN is a blockchain infrastructure initiative focused on trust, integrity, and professional validation services. The LTIN staking pool supports long-term, secure participation in the Zilliqa network. Developed through a public-private partnership involving Telecom Liechtenstein and digital asset firms, complying with EU regulations.
• The Winners CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Winners Circle is a fan engagement platform for horse racing. Zilliqa acquired a racehorse ('The HRSE Horse') through this partnership to demonstrate blockchain and Web3 innovation by bridging the physical and digital worlds.
• gZIL CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization powering community-led funding and governance for Zilliqa. Supports impactful projects through grants, tips, and transparent decision-making. Multiple ecosystem proposals have been funded through this collective.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ethereum: The dominant smart contract platform and the benchmark for EVM compatibility. Zilliqa's full EVM compatibility directly targets Ethereum's developer ecosystem, positioning it as a faster/cheaper alternative Layer-1 with sharding benefits.

Direct peers

• Solana: High-throughput Layer-1 blockchain competing on transaction speed and low fees. Zilliqa directly competes for performance-focused dApp developers, with Solana emphasizing raw TPS and Zilliqa emphasizing sharding plus EVM compatibility.
• Avalanche: Layer-1 with subnet architecture (analogous to Zilliqa's X-Shards) enabling customizable app-specific blockchains. Both target enterprise and institutional use cases requiring configurable, sovereign blockchain environments.
• NEAR Protocol: Sharded Layer-1 blockchain with account abstraction and EVM compatibility. NEAR and Zilliqa share the pioneering sharding approach and both target developer-friendly, scalable smart contract execution.
• Polygon: EVM-compatible scaling ecosystem with Polygon CDK for appchain deployment (similar to X-Shards). Competes with Zilliqa for developers wanting Ethereum-aligned execution with lower fees and custom chain capabilities.
• Polkadot: Multi-chain Layer-0 protocol with parachains (similar concept to X-Shards) enabling custom blockchains with shared security. Targets enterprise and institutional use cases like Zilliqa, but with Substrate framework rather than EVM.
• Fantom: EVM-compatible Layer-1 with high throughput via Lachesis consensus. Like Zilliqa, Fantom targets DeFi and enterprise applications requiring fast finality and Ethereum tooling compatibility.
• Cardano: Academic-driven Layer-1 blockchain emphasizing formal verification and institutional-grade infrastructure. Both target enterprise and regulated use cases, though Cardano uses a custom UTXO model rather than EVM.
• Cosmos: Layer-0 ecosystem with Cosmos SDK and IBC for appchain deployment and cross-chain interoperability. Zilliqa's X-Shards plus UCCB parallel Cosmos zones plus IBC; both target sovereign chain builders.

Others

• Chainlink: Decentralized oracle network that is both a Zilliqa integration partner and adjacent infrastructure provider. Compares as an enabling technology layer for Zilliqa-based smart contracts requiring off-chain data.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zilliqa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zilliqa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors14 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zilliqa