Rather than saying it is doing a 'cross-chain protocol',

Rather, it is attempting to solve a long-standing structural problem in multi-chain DeFi:

Information is not communicated between chains, the transaction process is fragmented, and the experience is disjointed.

In the new roadmap released by zkLink in May, it was clearly stated:

It will build a peer-to-peer cross-chain trading network led by AI agents, equipped with:

Permissionless

Zero protocol fees

High frequency, low latency

AI autonomous trading, negotiation, and collaborative execution

This is a design that reconstructs at the protocol layer, not an optimization at the UI layer, nor a packaging at the 'aggregation' layer.

From a rhythmic perspective:

In 2025, it will focus on underlying research and development: technical white papers, PoC testing, open-sourcing communication protocols, and integration with mainstream public chains

Alpha/Beta testing, node validation, and developer ecosystem construction will be launched in 2026

Currently, the zkLink Nova mainnet has been launched, serving as a Layer2 aggregation platform supporting multi-chain L2 asset aggregation trading, which is the technical foundation of this AI protocol architecture.

In terms of capital support, the participants include:

Coinbase Ventures

OKX Ventures

Crypto.com Ventures

Republic Crypto

SIG

Arrington Capital

BigBrain Holdings and others

The token $ZKL has been listed on platforms such as Bybit, Gate, Bitget, Hashkey Global, Coinone, etc., and the initial liquidity has been established.

The key point is:

zkLink has not focused on module stacking or UI optimization,

Rather, it chooses to reconstruct from the protocol itself—

Establish a transaction protocol layer that is executed by AI and scalable across all chains.

Once this model matures, it will become the public infrastructure for interaction between multi-chain assets.

And not just another 'faster bridge' or 'more stable DEX'.

For observers, zkLink is a typical structural infrastructure project:

Not driven by narrative, with a slower rhythm, but once the protocol is validated, it will have platform expansion capabilities.

Mid-term observation focus is recommended:

AI agent execution effects

Implementation status of protocol modules (such as whether to gradually expand spot, contracts, Launchpad, etc.)

Technical depth and stability integrated with public chains

Changes in TVL and real participant data

This is a long road, but it is also one of the very few serious projects in the market attempting to deconstruct cross-chain trading logic using AI.

Worth paying attention to and worthy of patience.