What Is Zilliqa?
Zilliqa has carved out a unique place in blockchain history as the first public blockchain to implement sharding for scalable transactions. As businesses and developers increasingly seek faster, more efficient decentralized networks, Zilliqa stands out for both its technical innovations and thriving ecosystem. In this guide, you'll learn exactly what Zilliqa is, how its core technology works, key use cases, and how to buy or trade ZIL tokens. We'll also show how OKX makes it easy to explore the Zilliqa ecosystem—from trading and staking to secure storage.
What is Zilliqa? Project Overview
Zilliqa is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for scalability and security through sharding technology. Unlike traditional blockchains, Zilliqa's sharded blockchain architecture allows transactions to be processed in parallel, meaning the network can handle far higher throughput without sacrificing security.
Launched on mainnet in January 2019, Zilliqa aimed to solve one of blockchain’s fundamental challenges: scaling without centralization or security tradeoffs. Its founders, including Dr. Amrit Kumar and Prateek Saxena, developed Zilliqa out of a research project at the National University of Singapore. Since launch, Zilliqa has achieved several milestones, including EVM compatibility, an expanding DeFi/NFT ecosystem, and major partnerships.
Zilliqa’s mission is to drive scalable, user-friendly decentralized applications, making Web3 more accessible for both enterprises and individuals. Its strategic positioning as the first sharded blockchain gives it an edge among networks struggling with congestion and high fees.
OKX recognizes Zilliqa’s innovation—offering ZIL trading, staking, and regular updates about the evolving Zilliqa ecosystem to users worldwide.
How Does Zilliqa Work?
At its core, Zilliqa is powered by sharding—a method of splitting the blockchain network into smaller groups (shards), each capable of processing transactions independently. This results in dramatically higher throughput, with Zilliqa supporting thousands of transactions per second (TPS).
The network now supports EVM compatibility, which enables Ethereum-based tools and dApps to run on Zilliqa. These features position Zilliqa at the forefront of scalable blockchain technology—ideal for DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise solutions.
Zilliqa Technology: Sharding, EVM, and Consensus
Zilliqa's standout feature is its implementation of sharding, enabling the blockchain to achieve industry-leading scalability. Sharding divides the network into multiple shards, each processing a subset of transactions in parallel. The combined result is a network capacity of over 2,800 TPS under testing conditions—vastly surpassing many legacy blockchains.
Its native consensus mechanism blends Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (pBFT) with a PoW-based identity check. pBFT ensures network security, rapid finality, and Sybil resistance, while preventing centralization. This hybrid model is energy-efficient compared to traditional PoW.
With EVM compatibility now live, Zilliqa enables developers to deploy Ethereum smart contracts alongside its native Scilla contracts. This broadens its appeal for experienced blockchain developers seeking speed, lower fees, and flexibility.
OKX proudly supports ZIL as an EVM-compatible asset, broadening users’ cross-chain and DeFi opportunities directly from their account.
How Sharding Boosts Scalability
Sharding fundamentally changes how blockchains scale. Each shard on Zilliqa can independently process new transactions and smart contract executions. This allows network throughput to increase as more nodes are added, rather than bottlenecking as with single-chain designs. In benchmark testing, Zilliqa has reached over 2,800 TPS—much higher than Ethereum’s pre-sharding (about 15 TPS).
| Blockchain | Mainnet TPS |
|---|---|
| Zilliqa | 2,800+ |
| Ethereum (pre-rollups) | 15 |
| Harmony | 2,000 |
| NEAR Protocol | 2,000+ |
EVM and Cross-Chain Opportunities
Zilliqa’s EVM compatibility makes it easy to port existing dApps from Ethereum, reducing developer friction. It also bolsters cross-chain bridges and interoperability, opening the door to more robust DeFi, NFT, and gaming ecosystems. Going forward, Zilliqa aims to expand cross-chain functionality, making it even more attractive for multi-chain development and asset transfers. OKX users benefit as ZIL interoperates with broader crypto markets.
ZIL Tokenomics, Market Data, and Staking
The ZIL token powers every aspect of the Zilliqa blockchain, serving as gas for transactions, staking, and governance. As of April 2024, ZIL's circulating supply is around 16 billion tokens, with a max supply capped at 21 billion. Zilliqa uses a predictable emission schedule, with inflation gradually decreasing over time.
ZIL has become a popular asset for both trading and staking. Holders can participate in network governance, pay transaction fees for dApps, and earn staking rewards. Market capitalization often fluctuates with overall crypto trends, but ZIL’s role as a gas token means its utility is ongoing.
OKX offers exclusive ZIL staking and earning opportunities with competitive APYs and enhanced security standards—a convenient way for users to grow their ZIL holdings without managing private node infrastructure.
ZIL Price and Historical Performance
ZIL price is influenced by market demand, network upgrades, and ecosystem developments. Traders can track live ZIL prices, market cap, and volume on OKX and other analytics platforms. Historically, ZIL saw major price growth during crypto bull markets of 2021 and 2023, with price volatility typical of mid-cap crypto assets.
How to Stake ZIL
You can stake ZIL by delegating to a staking provider or validator. OKX enables users to stake ZIL in just a few clicks with robust security, flexible terms, and transparent reward rates (typically 8–12% APY). To stake:
- Sign in to OKX
- Navigate to "Earn" and select ZIL Staking
- Choose the amount and confirm to start earning rewards
💡 Pro Tip: Always check current staking terms/APR, as rewards can vary based on network participation and total staked supply.
Zilliqa Ecosystem: dApps, Partnerships, and Community
Zilliqa's ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with projects across DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and enterprise solutions. Major dApps include decentralized exchanges (ZuluSwap), NFT marketplaces (Mintable), and play-to-earn gaming platforms (Roll1ng Thund3rz). These projects highlight the versatility and developer appeal of the Zilliqa blockchain.
Institutional and enterprise partnerships set Zilliqa apart, with collaborations spanning sports (Xcademy), music, digital identity, and financial services. These relationships drive real-world use and mainstream visibility.
The Zilliqa community is active across official forums, Discord, Reddit, and Twitter. Educational resources and open governance ensure users can participate directly in the network’s evolution.
OKX acts as a gateway to this ecosystem, letting users buy, store, or stake ZIL and discover the latest projects on the network.
Notable Projects on Zilliqa
- ZuluSwap: Multi-chain DEX for fast, low-fee trading
- Mintable: NFT minting and trading platform backed by Mark Cuban
- Roll1ng Thund3rz: Play-to-earn gaming hub leveraging Zilliqa’s scalable payments
How to Get Involved
Anyone can join the Zilliqa community by:
- Staking or delegating ZIL (via OKX or other providers)
- Participating in project governance votes
- Engaging on Discord, Telegram, or Reddit groups
💡 Pro Tip: Early involvement in dApps and community governance can yield both rewards and new opportunities as the Zilliqa ecosystem grows.
How to Buy, Store, and Trade ZIL (Step-by-Step Guide)
Buying, storing, and trading Zilliqa (ZIL) is secure and straightforward with OKX. Here’s how to get started:
Buying ZIL on OKX: Quick Start
- Create an account on OKX
- Complete identity verification for enhanced security and limits
- Deposit funds (crypto or fiat)
- Go to the "Buy Crypto" page and select ZIL
- Enter amount and confirm purchase; ZIL appears instantly in your account
OKX’s intuitive UI, low trading fees, and commitment to proof-of-reserves make it a top venue for both new users and seasoned traders.
Where to Store ZIL Safely
You can store ZIL in several ways:
- OKX Wallet (custodial): Convenient for daily trading and staking, with industry-leading security
- Non-custodial wallets: e.g., Ledger, Trust Wallet, or hardware wallets for long-term holding
💡 Pro Tip: Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA), use secure passwords, and store recovery phrases offline to protect your assets.
Storing ZIL on OKX Wallet balances convenience with robust risk control, while transferring to self-custody wallets grants maximal control.
Zilliqa vs Other Sharded Blockchains
Scaling solutions aren’t all created equal. Here’s how Zilliqa compares to peers:
| Blockchain | Consensus | Sharding | TPS | EVM | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zilliqa | pBFT + PoW | Network-level | 2,800+ | Yes | DeFi, NFTs, Gaming |
| Harmony | FBFT + PoS | State | 2,000 | Yes | DeFi, Bridges |
| NEAR | Nightshade (PoS) | Dynamic | 2,000+ | Yes | DeFi, dApps, Identity |
| Ethereum* | PoS, planned sharding | (pending) | ~15 (ETH 1.0, up to 100,000 planned) | Yes | DeFi, Everything |
*Ethereum's sharding is being rolled out post-merge via upgrades; live TPS may vary.
Zilliqa stands out for mature sharding, low fees, and early EVM compatibility, making it ideal for developers and power users. OKX supports assets across these networks, letting you diversify with minimal hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zilliqa really scalable?
Zilliqa uses network-level sharding to process thousands of transactions per second, making it far more scalable than most legacy blockchains. As additional shards are added, the capacity grows, keeping fees low even at peak usage. Upcoming upgrades continue to optimize scalability.
How do I buy Zilliqa token?
You can buy ZIL on major exchanges like OKX by registering, verifying your ID, and funding your account. On OKX, just select ZIL from the buy menu—fiat and crypto funding options are available. The process is streamlined and secure for all users.
What are Zilliqa’s main use cases?
Zilliqa powers decentralized finance (DeFi) apps, NFT platforms, gaming, enterprise integrations, and community rewards. Its fast, low-fee design makes it attractive for both users and businesses.
Is staking ZIL profitable?
Staking ZIL can yield 8–12% APY, but returns vary according to network conditions and total staked supply. OKX offers secure staking with real-time tracking and flexible redemption, but always assess risks before staking.
Can I store ZIL in any wallet?
ZIL is supported by software wallets (OKX Wallet, Trust Wallet), hardware wallets (Ledger), and exchange wallets. Choose a wallet with robust security features, and always back up recovery phrases and enable 2FA where possible.
Conclusion
Zilliqa sets itself apart through real scalability (via sharding), hybrid consensus, and strong EVM compatibility—fueling DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise adoption. Its robust ecosystem is growing fast, with user-friendly staking and trading options. For anyone seeking an accessible, powerful blockchain to build or invest in, Zilliqa is a prime contender.
Start your Zilliqa journey with OKX—a trusted exchange where you can securely buy, store, stake, and trade ZIL. Sign up today and unlock the diverse opportunities the Zilliqa ecosystem offers.
Risk Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading and staking involve risk. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Always use strong security measures and double-check addresses before transfers.
