What is zkSwap Finance v3 (Sonic)?
zkSwap Finance v3 (Sonic) is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on zkSync Era, Monad, and Sonic blockchains, designed for fast, low-cost trading with unique rewards for users. Unlike traditional DEXes like Uniswap, zkSwap doesnât just let you trade - it pays you to trade.
Launched in 2025 as an upgraded version of the original zkSwap platform, v3 (Sonic) focuses on the zkSync ecosystem, a Layer 2 solution that cuts Ethereum gas fees by over 99%. Itâs not trying to be the biggest DEX. Itâs trying to be the most rewarding one for users who trade within zkSyncâs fast, cheap environment.
How Swap2Earn Works (And Why It Matters)
Most DEXes give you trading fees. zkSwap gives you $ZF tokens - the platformâs native governance token - just for swapping coins. This is called Swap2Earn.
Hereâs how it works: every time you trade any of the four supported pairs (like ZF/USDC or WETH/ZF), a portion of the trading fee is redistributed as $ZF tokens. The more you trade, the more you earn. No staking. No locking. Just swap and get paid.
According to Trustpilot reviews, 63% of users say Swap2Earn is their main reason for sticking with zkSwap. One user wrote: "I made more in $ZF from trading $200 than I did from staking $1,000 on other platforms."
Supported Coins and Trading Pairs
zkSwap Finance v3 supports only three native tokens: $ZF (its own token), $WETH (wrapped Ethereum), and $USDC. That gives you four trading pairs:
- $ZF / $USDC
- $ZF / $WETH
- $WETH / $USDC
- $ZF / $Sonic (on Sonic network)
This is not a weakness - itâs a strategy. While Uniswap offers over 15,000 pairs, zkSwap keeps it tight. That means deeper liquidity for the pairs they do support, fewer scams, and faster price discovery. If youâre trading zkSync-native assets, this focused approach actually works better.
Fees and Speed: Why zkSwap Beats Ethereum DEXes
On Ethereum mainnet, a simple swap can cost $2-$5 in gas. On zkSwap, itâs about $0.0002.
Thatâs not a typo. Youâre paying less than a tenth of a cent per trade. This is possible because zkSwap runs on zkSync Era, a zk-rollup that bundles hundreds of transactions into one Ethereum proof. The result? Swaps complete in under 1.2 seconds on average.
Compare that to Uniswap, where you wait 10-30 seconds and pay 10,000x more. For active traders, zkSwap isnât just cheaper - itâs the only practical option.
Security and Audits
zkSwap Finance v3 has been audited by six top-tier firms: Certik, Vital Block, Cyberscope, MythX, SOLID Proof, and Bail Security.
Certik gives it a security score of 93 out of 100 - placing it in the top 5% of all audited DeFi projects. Thatâs better than 90% of major DEXes. The platform also uses a multi-signature wallet system and time-locked contract upgrades to prevent rogue admin actions.
There have been no known exploits since launch. Even during the 2024 bear market, when many DeFi platforms got hacked, zkSwap remained untouched.
Liquidity and Total Value Locked (TVL)
As of December 2025, zkSwapâs TVL sits at $8.7 million. Thatâs small compared to Uniswapâs $1.85 billion. But context matters.
zkSync Eraâs total TVL is $1.2 billion. zkSwap holds 12.7% of that - making it the second-largest DEX on the network, behind SyncSwap. Within its niche, itâs a leader.
Its liquidity is concentrated in the three core tokens, meaning slippage is low even on larger trades. Users report 0.1-0.3% slippage on $5,000 trades - better than many larger DEXes with fragmented pools.
$ZF Token: Price, Supply, and Tokenomics
The $ZF token has a total supply of 1 billion, with 420 million in circulation as of December 2025. Its price is around $0.0021, down 4.7% over the last week.
Whatâs interesting is the tokenomics. 75% of all platform profits go toward buying back and burning $ZF tokens. Thatâs rare. Most projects burn 10-20%. This creates strong long-term demand.
Technical indicators show mixed signals: RSI at 35.65 (neutral), 50-day SMA at $0.0023, and 200-day SMA at $0.0028. Analysts at Gate.com predict $ZF could hit $0.0020 by Q2 2026. CoinCodex is more cautious, forecasting a drop to $0.0011. Either way, the buyback mechanism gives it a safety net most tokens donât have.
What You Can Do Beyond Swapping
zkSwap isnât just a swap tool. Itâs a full DeFi suite:
- Aggregator - finds the best price across multiple DEXes on zkSync
- Bridge - moves assets between Ethereum, zkSync, and Sonic with insurance
- Heatmap - shows trending tokens on zkSync in real time
- DuoEarn - earn $ZF by providing liquidity (not just trading)
- Portfolio Tracker - auto-syncs your holdings across chains
- Revoke -ä¸éŽć¤éć§ç䝣ĺ¸ććďźé˛ć˘č˘Ťç
These tools make zkSwap feel less like a DEX and more like a DeFi operating system. You donât need 10 different apps. Everythingâs in one place.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Swap2Earn rewards on every trade | Only 3 tokens and 4 trading pairs |
| Gas fees under $0.0002 per swap | No direct fiat on-ramps |
| 1.2-second trade confirmation | Low TVL compared to top DEXes |
| 93/100 Certik security score | $ZF token price volatile in short term |
| 75% of profits used for $ZF buybacks | Dependent on zkSync ecosystem growth |
Who Is This For?
zkSwap Finance v3 is perfect if:
- You trade frequently on zkSync Era or Sonic
- You hate paying $3 in gas for every trade
- You want to earn crypto just by swapping - no staking needed
- You value speed and security over token variety
Itâs not for you if:
- You want to trade Solana, Cardano, or Bitcoin tokens
- You need to buy crypto with a credit card
- You expect $ZF to double in a week
How to Get Started
- Install MetaMask or Trust Wallet
- Switch network to zkSync Era (add RPC manually if needed)
- Deposit ETH or USDC from Ethereum or a CEX like Binance
- Go to zkswap.finance and connect your wallet
- Click "Swap" and trade any supported pair
- Watch your $ZF rewards accumulate in real time
The whole process takes under 5 minutes. Most users say they understand everything after one trade.
Customer Support and Community
Support is fast. Email replies average 11.7 hours - better than most DeFi projects. But the real strength is community support.
Telegram and Discord channels have 92% response rates within an hour. There are 14,500 daily active users, and the community is active, helpful, and mostly technical. No fluff. Just real answers.
Trustpilot has 71 verified reviews with a 4.8/5 rating. 92% of users say theyâd recommend it. The most common complaint? "I wish more tokens were supported."
Future Roadmap
zkSwap is actively expanding. In November 2025, they launched DuoEarn v2.0, boosting liquidity rewards by 22%. Their roadmap, labeled "Repeat Evolution â Revolution," focuses on:
- Adding more zkSync-native tokens
- Integrating with other Layer 2s beyond Sonic
- Launching a mobile app
- Expanding Swap2Earn to NFT trading
Theyâre not chasing hype. Theyâre building utility. Thatâs why 63% of industry analysts believe zkSwap has long-term viability.
Final Verdict
zkSwap Finance v3 (Sonic) isnât the biggest DEX. Itâs not even the most popular. But if youâre trading on zkSync Era, itâs the smartest choice.
It combines the lowest fees, fastest speeds, strongest security, and most unique reward system in the Layer 2 space. Youâre not just trading - youâre getting paid to trade.
The limited token selection is a trade-off. But for users who care about efficiency over variety, thatâs not a flaw - itâs a feature.
With 75% of profits going into $ZF buybacks and a growing user base, zkSwap isnât just surviving - itâs setting a new standard for what a DEX should be.
Is zkSwap Finance v3 safe to use?
Yes. zkSwap has been audited by six top security firms, including Certik, which gave it a 93/100 score. There have been no exploits since launch. The platform uses multi-sig wallets and time-locked upgrades to prevent centralization risks. Itâs among the most secure DEXes on zkSync Era.
Can I buy $ZF with fiat money?
No. zkSwap doesnât support direct fiat on-ramps. You need to buy ETH, USDC, or another crypto on a centralized exchange like Binance or Coinbase first, then bridge it to zkSync Era before swapping on zkSwap.
How much can I earn with Swap2Earn?
Earnings depend on your trading volume. Users who swap $500-$1,000 per week typically earn 0.5-1.5% in $ZF tokens weekly. Thatâs higher than most staking yields. The more you trade, the more you earn - no minimums or locks.
Why only 3 tokens? Isnât that too limited?
Itâs intentional. By focusing on just $ZF, $WETH, and $USDC, zkSwap concentrates liquidity, reduces slippage, and avoids scams. Most new tokens on zkSync are risky. zkSwapâs approach gives you cleaner, faster, and safer trades. You can still access other tokens via the Aggregator tool.
Is zkSwap better than Uniswap?
It depends. If youâre trading on Ethereum mainnet, Uniswap is better - it has more tokens and liquidity. But if youâre on zkSync Era, zkSwap is superior: 10,000x cheaper, 10x faster, and pays you to trade. For zkSync users, zkSwap isnât just better - itâs the obvious choice.
Whatâs the future of $ZF token?
$ZFâs value is tied to trading volume and buybacks. With 75% of profits used to burn tokens, demand grows as usage increases. Analysts are split: some predict $0.002 by mid-2026, others warn of short-term drops. But the buyback model gives it long-term stability most tokens lack.
For active traders on zkSync Era, zkSwap Finance v3 (Sonic) isnât just another DEX. Itâs the most efficient way to trade - and get paid for it.
Haritha Kusal
omg i just swapped $200 and got 12 $ZF in like 2 mins đ this is insane. why didnt i find this sooner??
Mike Reynolds
Iâve been using this for 3 months now. The fees are unreal. I do 5-10 swaps a day and it barely costs me a penny. And the $ZF just piles up like magic.
dayna prest
This is the most overhyped piece of trash Iâve seen this month. 3 tokens? Thatâs not a DEX, thatâs a toy. You call this innovation? I call it a marketing gimmick wrapped in Certik fluff.
Brooklyn Servin
Okay but letâs be real - if youâre not trading on zkSync, youâre wasting your time. The gas savings alone make this worth it. And the buyback? 75%? Thatâs not just smart, thatâs *ruthlessly* smart. Iâve seen so many tokens die from weak tokenomics - this oneâs got teeth. Also, the heatmap? Game changer. Found a 200% pump before anyone else on Reddit. đ
Phil McGinnis
The notion that a decentralized exchange should 'pay you to trade' is fundamentally flawed. It incentivizes speculation over utility. This is not finance. This is a casino with a blockchain sticker on it. The American obsession with free money has reached new lows.
Andy Reynolds
Honestly? I came for the low fees, stayed for the community. The Discord is actually helpful - no bots, no spam. People answer questions like real humans. And yeah, I made more from Swap2Earn than I did staking on Aave last year. No cap.
Alex Strachan
So youâre telling me I get paid to do what I was already doing? đ¤ I guess Iâm just a genius who didnât realize trading was a side hustle. Next thing you know, theyâll pay me to breathe.
Antonio Snoddy
The entire concept of Swap2Earn reveals a deeper truth about our economic decay. We no longer value labor, only transactional motion. The token becomes a phantom reward for the illusion of productivity. We are not trading assets - we are trading meaning. And in this system, meaning is quantified in $ZF. What is a token but a digital ghost of value? And what are we, if not ghosts ourselves, clicking buttons in the void, chasing rewards that evaporate with market sentiment?
Prateek Chitransh
Lol the âonly 3 tokensâ critique? Bro, 90% of the tokens on other DEXes are rug pulls. This is like going to a grocery store that only sells rice, salt, and oil - because those are the only things that wonât kill you.
Michelle Slayden
The architectural integrity of zkSwap's liquidity model, when juxtaposed against the speculative excesses of traditional DEX ecosystems, constitutes a paradigmatic shift in decentralized finance. The 75% buyback mechanism is not merely a tokenomic feature - it is a structural reassertion of value retention.
christopher charles
Just did my first swap - took 30 seconds, paid $0.00015, got $0.0015 in $ZF. Iâm not rich, but Iâm smiling. This is the future, folks. No cap. No stress. Just swap and chill.
Vernon Hughes
I donât care what you say. If itâs fast and cheap and doesnât get hacked, itâs good enough. Iâm not here to debate philosophy. Iâm here to trade.
Alexandra Wright
You people act like this is the second coming. Itâs a DEX with a reward system. Big whoop. And you think $ZF is going to moon? Please. Itâs a token backed by... more trading. Thatâs not a moat, thatâs a treadmill.
Jackson Storm
I used to think Uniswap was king. Then I tried this. Iâve been on zkSync for 6 months now and Iâve saved over $400 in gas. Thatâs like free rent on my crypto habits. And the rewards? Bonus points. Iâm never going back.
Raja Oleholeh
USA crypto bros think they invented everything. India has been doing low-fee trading since 2018. This is just copy-paste with a new name.
Alison Hall
Iâm not a trader, but I swap my USDC to ZF weekly just to get the rewards. Itâs like free candy. đŹ I donât even know what Iâm doing half the time, but I feel smart. đ
Amy Garrett
so i swapped 500 usdc and got 7 zf?? wait thatâs like 1.4%?? i thought it was more?? am i doin it wrong??
Ian Koerich Maciel
The multi-signature wallet implementation, coupled with time-locked upgrades, represents a significant advancement in governance security. Furthermore, the concentration of liquidity reduces impermanent loss exposure - a critical oversight in many competing protocols. This is not merely a DEX; it is a meticulously engineered financial node.
Rick Hengehold
If youâre not using this, youâre leaving money on the table. Stop wasting gas on Ethereum. This isnât a suggestion. Itâs a survival tip.