Sophon is a Layer 2 (L2) blockchain based on ZK Stack technology, using the Validium architecture and integrated into the zkSync Elastic Chain ecosystem. The project focuses on consumer scenarios such as entertainment, games, social networking, AI and ticketing, and is committed to achieving high-throughput, low-cost and user-friendly blockchain experience through Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK) technology. Sophon is led by Sebastien, the former head of zkSync DeFi, and the core team includes senior members from well-known blockchain projects such as Matter Labs, Nervos Network and Merit Circle.

Sophon's vision is to promote the mass adoption of cryptocurrency by eliminating the complexity of traditional blockchains (such as wallet management and gas fees) and seamlessly integrating Web3 technology into daily consumer scenarios. It connects Web2 and Web3 data through zkTLS technology, provides users with privacy-protected digital identities and data assetization experiences, and provides developers with flexible tools to support the construction of diverse consumer applications. Sophon has received more than $84 million in financing from institutions such as Binance Labs, Paper Ventures, and Maven11, demonstrating strong market support and growth potential.

Sophon's Key Highlights

Consumption scenario optimization

Sophon focuses on high-growth markets such as entertainment, games, social networking and AI, and supports diversified consumer applications by cooperating with ecosystem partners such as Beam (on-chain games), Rivalry (gambling), and Aethir (decentralized computing). For example, users can directly access on-chain applications through Google Single Sign-On without the need for complex wallet settings, significantly lowering the entry barrier. Its Sophon+ reward system and Yapper Leaderboard and other mechanisms encourage user participation and enhance community and user stickiness.

Gas-free transaction experience

Sophon uses the Paymaster function to achieve "Gas-free transactions", allowing applications or platforms to pay transaction fees on behalf of users, and users can participate in on-chain activities without directly holding SOPH tokens. This design is particularly suitable for non-crypto native users and optimizes the experience of high-frequency micro-transaction scenarios such as games and social networking.

zkTLS and Privacy Protection

Sophon's original zkTLS (Zero-Knowledge Transport Layer Security) technology combines the traditional TLS protocol with zero-knowledge proof, allowing users to verify Web2 data (such as Spotify playlists and Steam game achievements) on the chain while protecting privacy. Its Social Oracle provides a trusted data interaction layer that supports personalized rewards, digital identity construction, and data monetization, and is suitable for entertainment and social scenarios.

Modular and developer-friendly

Sophon is based on the ZK Stack and Validium architecture, supporting high throughput (thousands of transactions per second) and low-cost transactions. Developers can quickly build cross-chain applications such as on-chain games, DeFi protocols, or AI-driven social platforms through its API and SDK. The native Account Abstraction (AA) function simplifies smart contract development and lowers the technical threshold.

Decentralization and transparency

Sophon uses a decentralized Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism, where node operators participate in transaction sorting and verification to enhance network transparency. The project plans to further decentralize the sequencer in the future and give the community more decision-making power through DAO governance.

Sophon ($SOPH) Token Function

SOPH is the native token of the Sophon ecosystem, with a total supply of 10 billion, and plays multiple roles in the network:

Cross-chain and transaction fees: SOPH is used to pay network gas fees, although the Paymaster function allows applications to pay on behalf of users, reducing the need for users to hold them directly.

Community governance: Holders can participate in DAO governance by staking SOPH and vote on key matters such as protocol upgrades and ecological development.

Node Incentives: SOPH rewards node operators and validators, incentivizing the maintenance of network security and decentralized sorting.

Staking Security: Users can stake SOPH to enhance network security and obtain a share of transaction fees or other rewards.

Ecosystem rewards: Through Farming activities (10% token allocation) and the Sophon+ reward system, users, developers, and liquidity providers are encouraged to participate in ecosystem construction.

Token Allocation:

20%: Node rewards (distributed every 36 months).

25%: Sophon Foundation (governance and ecosystem development).

20%: Investors.

5%: Consultants.

30%: Ecosystem development (including 10% for Farming, 6% on the Ethereum mainnet, and 4% on the Sophon mainnet).

9%: Airdrop (distributed to early adopters, zkSync users, NFT holders, and Binance BNB HODLers).

Market performance:

Market capitalization: ~$113 million (ranked 442nd on CoinGecko).

Fully diluted valuation (FDV): Approximately $533 million.

Initial circulation: 2 billion (20% of total supply).

Trading volume: The trading volume in the past 24 hours was approximately US$230 million, indicating high market activity.

Comparison with competitors

Sophon faces competition from projects such as zkSync Era, Immutable, Flow, and Polygon in the Layer 2 and consumer blockchain space. Here is a comparative analysis:

zkSync Era：

Similarities: Both belong to the ZK Stack ecosystem, use zero-knowledge proof technology, and support low-cost transactions.

Differences: zkSync Era focuses more on general Layer 2 solutions suitable for DeFi and NFT, while Sophon focuses on entertainment and social scenarios, providing differentiated functions through zkTLS and Social Oracle.

Advantages: Sophon’s consumer-oriented positioning and gas-free experience are more suitable for non-crypto users.

Immutable：

Similarities: Both focus on on-chain games and NFT scenarios and support high-throughput transactions.

Differences: Immutable focuses on games and NFT markets (such as Gods Unchained) and has a more mature ecosystem, while Sophon covers a wider range of consumer scenarios (such as social networking and ticketing).

Challenge: Immutable's first-mover advantage and mature ecosystem pose competitive pressure to Sophon.

Flow：

Similarities: Flow also targets consumer scenarios (such as NBA Top Shot) and focuses on user experience.

Differences: Flow is a Layer 1 blockchain with limited scalability, while Sophon, as a Layer 2, benefits from the security and interoperability of Ethereum.

Advantages: Sophon’s Validium architecture and zkTLS technology provide lower transaction costs and privacy protection features.

Polygon：

Similarities: Polygon also supports games and consumer applications and has broad ecosystem support.

Differences: Polygon uses Optimistic Rollup or PoS mechanism, while Sophon's ZK technology has advantages in privacy and long-term scalability.

Challenges: Polygon’s developer community and number of DApps far exceed Sophon’s, so ecosystem scale is a challenge in the short term.

Sophon's unique advantages:

Through zkTLS and Social Oracle, the privacy-protected connection between Web2 and Web3 is achieved, filling the gap in the existing Layer 2 in consumer scenarios.

Gas-free transactions and Google single sign-on greatly reduce the user entry threshold and are suitable for non-crypto native users.

Relying on the interoperability of Elastic Chain, it supports seamless interaction with other ZK chains and reduces liquidity fragmentation.

Summary and Outlook

Sophon solves the complexity and cost issues of traditional blockchain in consumer scenarios through the innovative Validium architecture, ZK Stack and zkTLS technology, providing users and developers with an efficient and privacy-protected Web3 experience. As of May 2025, Sophon has achieved 420,000 accounts and 73 million transactions, with a cumulative TVL of over $450 million, showing strong early growth momentum. The project has successfully attracted community participation through Farming activities, airdrops and Yapper Leaderboard, and has established market credibility with the endorsement of top institutions such as Binance Labs. #币安HODLer空投SOPH