TL;DR
- Polygon decided to discontinue its zkEVM chain and shift resources to PoS and AggLayer, its multichain interoperability solution.
- Jordi Baylina separated the zkEVM team and launched ZisK, a new startup that will develop open-source, low-latency zkVM technology for data validation.
- All zkEVM code, intellectual property, and technical staff were transferred to SilentSig Switzerland GmbH, a Swiss company controlled by Baylina, where ZisK will now operate.
Polygon has reorganized its structure and announced the shutdown of zkEVM, its zero-knowledge technology-based chain acquired in 2021.
In this context, Jordi Baylina, company co-founder and the figure behind that development, decided to separate the team and launch a new independent startup named ZisK. The project will focus on building zero-knowledge proving technology based on zkVM, with open-source and low-latency infrastructure designed to validate onchain transactions and data without exposing sensitive information.
Me, together with a core team of 7 developers, just spun off from Polygon to continue the ZisK project as an independent initiative.
I’ll remain co-founder and advisor at Polygon, but my main focus now shifts to @ziskvm.
Excited for this new era in the blockchain journey — we… https://t.co/aCOvbm3BX4— Jordi Baylina – baylina.eth (@jbaylina) June 18, 2025
ZisK had operated as a unit within Polygon Labs since May 2024, but on June 13 its independence was formalized. All code, intellectual property, and technical staff were transferred to SilentSig Switzerland GmbH, a Swiss company fully controlled by Baylina.
Polygon Shifts Its Focus and Capital to PoS and AggLayer
The decision followed shortly after Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal took over as CEO of the Polygon Foundation and announced the gradual shutdown of the zkEVM chain to reallocate resources toward Polygon PoS and AggLayer, its multichain interoperability solution.
The closure of zkEVM had been anticipated by the community. Since its $250 million acquisition in 2021, the chain failed to secure relevant adoption or justify its operational costs. Which exceeded $1 million per year. Critics like Lorenz Lehmann, a researcher and founder of RWTH Blockchain, noted the initiative had been left adrift without a clear continuity plan.
ZisK Will Operate as an Independent Company
ZisK aims to build on the experience gained through zkEVM to develop a lighter. More flexible zero-knowledge solution adaptable to multiple blockchain networks. Baylina’s goal is to focus on open-source infrastructure capable of verifying transactions without exposing data, using next-generation zkVM technology.
Though no longer leading zkEVM, Baylina remains a co-founder at Polygon and will continue as an advisor. While ZisK operates independently from its Swiss base. The reorganization leaves Polygon focused on its PoS and AggLayer networks. While allowing ZisK to move forward without the strategic limitations of its former parent company.
