Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, recently criticized ZKsync, a layer-2 network on Ethereum, for operating like a multisig system despite claims of community-led governance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yakovenko raised concerns that ZKsync’s system could potentially fall under the control of a court, compromising its decentralization. He argued that the system’s reliance on an “honest majority” assumption could be manipulated by legal or technical means, leading to centralized control.
Yakovenko’s comments were in response to Alex Gluchowski, CEO of Matter Labs, the team behind ZKsync. Gluchowski had stated that the network’s new decentralized governance system was a critical step towards full decentralization, known as Stage 2.
Stage 2 refers to complete trust in the blockchain’s code and algorithms, ensuring a system that is open, secure, and resistant to manipulation. However, no Ethereum layer-2 network has reached this stage of decentralization development.
Decentralized Governance
On September 12, Gluchowski announced the launch of ZKsync’s decentralized governance system. The system consists of a three-body structure, including the ZK token assembly, delegates, and the ZKsync Security Council.
The ZK token assembly is a group of token holders who delegate their voting power to representatives. These delegates can submit and vote on protocol, token, and governance upgrade proposals directly on-chain, eliminating the need for a single multisig setup.
Delegates are protected by the ZKsync Association, a non-profit entity that addresses liability concerns. The ZKsync Security Council, comprising engineers and security professionals, reviews and approves protocol upgrades, with the power to freeze the protocol if necessary.
Lastly, ZKsync Guardians ensure that governance proposals align with the ZK Credo principles and hold veto power over other governance bodies. This collaborative structure prevents any single entity from having unilateral control over proposals and upgrades.
Overall, ZKsync’s governance system aims to promote decentralization and community-led decision-making, marking a significant step towards achieving full decentralization in the future.