Polyhedra Network: A Zero-Knowledge Proof-Driven Cross-Chain Infrastructure
Founded in 2022, Polyhedra Network is a blockchain protocol focused on zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology, aiming to solve cross-chain interoperability challenges in the Web3 industry through its trustless zkBridge. As of May 2025, its core product zkBridge supports asset and data transfers across 25 major chains including Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin, with over 12 million transactions processed.
As the first project to apply ZKP technology at scale in cross-chain scenarios, Polyhedra Network raised $75 million in a 2023 round led by Binance Labs, pushing its valuation past $1 billion. In 2024, the project’s token name was changed from “ZK” to “ZKJ” to avoid confusion with similar protocols, and it was listed on exchanges including OKX and Binance in the same year.
zkBridge: A Technological Breakthrough in Trustless Cross-Chain Interaction
The core innovation of Polyhedra Network lies in its zkBridge protocol. This protocol generates concise cross-chain verification proofs using zk-SNARKs technology, eliminating the need for third-party validators while ensuring secure asset transfers. For instance, when a user bridges BTC from the Bitcoin network to Ethereum, zkBridge generates a Merkle tree proof, verified by a decentralized node network within just 15 seconds, with transaction fees below $0.50.
The Expander proof system launched in 2024 further improved efficiency—ZKP generation speed increased by 40x compared to traditional solutions, with the capacity to verify 3,000 transactions per second. This breakthrough made Polyhedra Network the preferred protocol for meme token bridging in the Solana ecosystem. For example, users can use JuCoin’s multi-chain trading portal to bridge WIF tokens from Solana directly to Ethereum wallets without going through centralized exchanges.
ZKJ Token: Dual Role in Governance and Ecosystem Incentives
ZKJ is the value token of the Polyhedra Network ecosystem, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens and an initial circulating supply of 60.38 million (6%). Core functions include:
- Cross-chain fee payments: zkBridge usage consumes ZKJ, with fees dynamically adjusted based on on-chain congestion.
- Governance voting: Holders can participate in protocol parameter changes (e.g., fee rates, supported chains).
- Staking rewards: Staking ZKJ entitles holders to 50% of protocol revenue and additional rewards through EigenLayer re-staking.
In 2025, with the launch of the EXPchain mainnet, tokens gained new utility in “ZKP service payments”, such as purchasing privacy computing resources for AI model training using ZKJ.
EXPchain: A New Paradigm of AI and Blockchain Integration
Launched in February 2025, the EXPchain mainnet marks Polyhedra Network’s expansion into AI. This public chain integrates ZKP and machine learning technologies and serves two primary use cases:
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Privacy-preserving AI training: Developers can train models on-chain while using ZKPs to verify the correctness of the computation, preventing data leakage.
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Verifiable inference: When users request AI services (e.g., image generation), ZKPs can prove the results are unaltered, enhancing trust.
Currently, over 200 AI projects have deployed on EXPchain, covering verticals such as medical data analysis and financial prediction models.
Recent Developments and Ecosystem Expansion
In 2025, Polyhedra Network made significant progress in compliance and ecosystem collaboration:
Binance Alpha Airdrop: In May 2025, Binance airdropped 1.5 million ZKJ to active users, growing community holder numbers by 37%.
Inclusion in Grayscale Index Fund: ZKJ became the first ZKP project included in a traditional financial index, driving institutional inflows.
PayPal PYUSD Integration: zkBridge added support for cross-chain transfers of PYUSD, allowing users to bridge PayPal balances directly into the Solana ecosystem.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its technological edge, Polyhedra Network faces several challenges. For example, cross-chain standard competition: protocols like LayerZero and Axelar already hold 60% market share, pushing Polyhedra to attract users through lower fees and faster speeds. Regulatory uncertainty is another factor: ZKP technology may be used to evade financial regulations, and varying global policies could hinder its adoption. Additionally, EXPchain’s developer tools remain immature, and compatibility with mainstream frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch needs improvement.
Looking ahead, the team plans to launch a “real-time ZKP generator” to compress proof times to the millisecond level and explore deep integration with the Bitcoin ecosystem (e.g., RGB protocol).
Neason Oliver
