Zero Network Shuts Down: Gasless Ethereum L2 Closes After 1.5 Years
Zerion's gasless Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, Zero Network, is set to close after 18 months of operation. Introduced in November 2024 on the ZK Stack, it sought to remove gas fees but encountered several technical challenges, such as a multi-hour outage in 2025 and a suspension of block production from December 19, 2025, until January 15, 2026. On X, Zerion revealed it will focus on its primary API and wallet offerings. Users are required to bridge out by July 2026, as bridging into Zero is halted. Other notable crypto closures include Everclear, Syndicate Labs, and Fantasy.top. Bitcoin has dropped approximately 40% from its peak of $126,000 in October 2025, and over 5,000 jobs were lost in the crypto sector in 2026.
Key facts
- Zero Network is shutting down after 18 months.
- It was a gasless Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain built by Zerion.
- Launched in November 2024 on the ZK Stack within the Elastic Chain ecosystem.
- Backed by angel investors Cooper Turley, Spencer Noon, Banteg, and Alex Gluchowski.
- Faced a block production halt from December 19, 2025 to January 15, 2026 (over 26 days).
- Bridging into Zero has been suspended; users must bridge out by end of July 2026.
- Zerion is redirecting resources to its API and wallet products.
- Other crypto shutdowns include Everclear, Syndicate Labs, and Fantasy.top.
Entities
Institutions
- Zero Network
- Zerion
- ZK Stack
- Elastic Chain
- Caldera
- ZKsync
- L2BEAT
- Everclear
- Syndicate Labs
- a16z
- Fantasy.top
- Base
- Arbitrum
- Tiger Research
- Decrypt
- NFT Plazas