Polyhedra Network (ZKJ): a scalable cross-network platform for token exchange

First-generation blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Tron, and many others allowed for a variety of transactions, including exchanges (swaps) and lending, with multiple tokens issued on them.

However, without additional tools, it was impossible to transfer tokens, for example, from Ethereum to Solana or from BNB Smart Chain to Tron. One solution to this problem was the Polyhedra Network platform, which will be discussed in this article.

What is a Polyhedra Network?

Polyhedra Network is a cross-network protocol designed to scale and increase interoperability between blockchain networks, including Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchains.

As of March 2025, the Polyhedra Network platform supports over 20 Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchains, including Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other well-known networks. The Polyhedra Network team plans to expand the list of supported blockchain networks.

The Polyhedra Network protocol was launched in 2023, and as of October 2024, the platform had processed more than 15 million transactions.

How does Polyhedra Network work?

Polyhedra Network is not a blockchain in the usual sense. The developers have created a cross-network protocol that connects various blockchain networks like LayerZero.

The Polyhedra Network platform is based on the Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK Proof or ZKP — "zero-disclosure proof") cryptographic protocol. This technology has become widespread among developers, as it allows for reducing transaction time without compromising the system's security.

ZK Proof technology is also aimed at increasing the scalability and privacy of Web3 projects. It is used in many well-known blockchain projects, such as Ethereum, zkBNB (a zKP-based network from BNB Chain), StarkNet, and LayerZero.

At the core of the Polyhedra Network ecosystem is the zkBridge cross-chain protocol, which allows token transfers between the networks supported by the platform. zkBridge is also part of the LayerZero ecosystem and is actively used by its cross-network protocol for transactions.

In addition to traditional transfers between blockchain networks, zkBridge supports cross-network swaps (exchanges). This means that users can exchange, for example, an ETH cryptocurrency on the Ethereum network for a BTC token on the BNB Smart Chain blockchain. zkBridge allows standard tokens (FT) and non-replaceable tokens (NFT) to be transferred between networks and messaging, similar to blockchain oracles like Chainlink.

In addition to ZK Proof, the zkBridge solution utilizes other innovative technologies such as:

• deVirgo, a new distributed proof-of-concept system aimed at optimizing parallel transaction processing and minimizing costs when using interconnect solutions. With deVirge technology, zkBridge can process up to 100 times more transactions than many other existing solutions;
• paraPlonk — a technology for increased scalability, capable of generating more evidence than other solutions;
• zkDID — a digital identity system based on ZK Proof technology to improve the security of personal data of Polyhedra Network ecosystem users. Polyhedra Network developers say the zkDID system can process millions of accounts per second.

Polyhedra Network token

ZKJ is the native service and management token of the Polyhedra Network platform. In March 2024, it was initially issued on the Ethereum blockchain under the ERC-20 standard and distributed to active users in a free distribution (airdrop). In the same month, it was listed on cryptocurrency exchanges. Later, the Polyhedra Network team also added support for the BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) blockchain.

Initially, the Polyhedra Network token was assigned the ticker ZK. Still, due to a dispute with another Web3 project, zkSync, which had the same abbreviation for cryptocurrency, the platform team had to abandon it and rename the asset to ZKJ. The abbreviation ZKJ stands for "ZK Join," which symbolizes the unification of the crypto community that adheres to the principles of proof-of-work with zero disclosure.

The ZKJ cryptocurrency has several use cases in the Polyhedra Network ecosystem:

1. Payment for commissions when using services and services;
2. Payment for cross-network transactions — when transferring cryptocurrencies from one blockchain to another via zkBridge;
3. Ecosystem management: ZKJ token holders can stake and vote on suggestions to improve the Polyhedra Network platform.

The Polyhedra Network project token reached its all-time high (ATH) in the first few days after listing on exchanges, rising to a record $9.56. However, after listing on exchanges, the value of the ZKJ token began to fall rapidly amid the general correction of the crypto market, and in June 2024, according to CoinMarketCap, it reached a historic low of $1.04.

As of March 2025, the value of the ZKJ token, with a market capitalization of $230 million, is $2.04, which is almost 89% below the ATH level. However, since November 2024, the altcoin's rate has increased by more than 78%.

The maximum possible number of Polyhedra Network tokens is 1 billion ZKJ, but only 112 million are circulating on the market, about 11% of the issuance limit. This means that most tokens (89%) will be issued in the future as they are unlocked, which could create significant pressure on the ZKJ exchange rate.