Currently, multi-chain DeFi is flourishing, but ultimately, 'cross-chain' remains a huge gap.
There is a lack of information flow, asset connectivity, and smooth experience between chains; DeFi is far from what it should be.
This new roadmap released by zkLink is one of the few players truly 'laying a foundation.'
It proposes a vision that sounds a bit crazy:
Build a peer-to-peer, zero protocol fee, permissionless AI agent trading network.
In simple terms, it allows AI to autonomously complete transactions, negotiations, and cross-chain collaborations without human intervention, supporting high-frequency and low-latency trading needs—fundamentally solving the ceiling issue of multi-chain interaction efficiency.
Currently, this system has entered the core protocol development stage, with a white paper, PoC verification, and open-source protocol to be completed by 2025, and global testing and developer ecosystem construction to start in 2026.
The supporting lineup should not be underestimated: Coinbase Ventures, OKX Ventures, Crypto.com Ventures, Republic Crypto, SIG, Arrington Capital, BigBrain Holdings, etc., have all invested.
Cross-chain has been talked about for years, but how many have truly changed the structure?
zkLink has provided a new answer this time:
A design that does not rely on bridges or multiple aggregators.
Rather, it uses the approach of 'AI agent + zero protocol fee + decentralized execution.'
To handle transaction actions between chains.
To put it simply:
You set the goal, and AI helps you run the entire route.
In 2025, zkLink's planning list looks like this:
🟡 Technical white paper implementation
🟡 Cross-chain protocol PoC verification
🟡 Core open-source communication protocol
🟡 Integration with multiple main chain technologies
By 2026, it will enter the Alpha/Beta testing phase.
Open node participation, developer community, and protocol economic model design.
This is a straightforward roadmap.
But each point is getting closer to 'structural reconstruction.'
The supporting lineup is quite strong:
✔ Coinbase Ventures
✔ OKX Ventures
✔ Crypto.com Ventures
✔ Republic Crypto
✔ SIG
✔ Arrington Capital
✔ BigBrain Holdings
And $ZKL has already been listed on Bybit, Gate, Bitget, Hashkey Global, Coinone.
Gradually building liquidity and exposure in mainstream exchanges.
Currently, the zkLink Nova mainnet is online.
Support for aggregated trading of multiple L2 assets. This is the technical foundation of the AI agent trading network.
It's not a demo, not an imagination; it's a Layer2 structure in real operation.
It hasn't shouted big narrative yet.
There has also been no major airdrop.
But it is step by step: task mechanism → staking → liquidity incentives.
To solidify this system.
Such projects are bound to have a slower pace.
But if you are a builder, an Infra supporter, or an observer focusing on the development of multi-chain protocols,
The AI-intervention cross-chain model brought by zkLink is worth your early attention.