In Brief:
- ZetaChain token holders voted 99.4% in favor of shutting down the project’s layer 1 blockchain and migrating ZETA to Solana.
- The transition requires a second proposal to outline specific migration details and is driven by operational efficiency and security concerns.
- The move aligns ZETA with Anuma, ZetaChain’s AI application, which aims to leverage Solana's larger user base and liquidity.
ZetaChain votes to shut down layer 1 for Solana transition
ZetaChain’s token holders overwhelmingly approved a proposal to shut down its layer 1 blockchain and transition ZETA to Solana. Proposal 68 passed with 99.4 percent approval on September 20, sealing the decision with a turnout of 58 percent of eligible stakers. While the proposal establishes the direction, it does not trigger immediate migration; a follow-up proposal must first detail the how and when of the transition.
Token conversion details
ZETA will convert at a 1:1 ratio into a new SPL token on Solana, retaining the ticker while the total supply remains unchanged. Existing vesting schedules will continue uninterrupted. A key difference lies in decimal representation: the native ZETA on the current chain uses 18 decimals, while the SPL token will be limited to 9. This change only affects minimal balances, which will be rounded down.
Tokens issued on Ethereum and BNB Chain are not impacted by the vote.
Awaiting further votes
The second proposal will define practical migration terms, including snapshot block height, the claim process, and coordination with exchanges for the layer 1 shutdown. The timing remains uncertain, pending confirmations from exchanges. Staking mechanisms on Solana are also under consideration. For now, ZetaChain’s layer 1 continues to operate as normal.
Holders should remain cautious during migration periods to avoid phishing sites and false tokens.
Reasons for migrating to Solana
The ZetaChain team cited three main factors driving the decision. First is the maintenance burden associated with operating a Cosmos SDK network, which requires coordination across multiple validators. The second concern is security; the team anticipates that AI tools will reveal more vulnerabilities, necessitating more patches and coordination.
A recent security incident impacting several Cosmos EVM chains further underscores this concern. In August 2026, vulnerabilities led to the theft of approximately $5.7 million. ZetaChain was not affected, but the incident highlighted the risks involved.
The third reason is a strategic shift toward Anuma, ZetaChain’s AI application, which launched in February 2026. The application uses an encrypted memory system to enhance user experience across models and agents. Since its launch, Anuma has garnered over 301,000 users.
Connection to Anuma
Moving ZETA to Solana will integrate it into a network with greater liquidity and user engagement. ZETA holders can lock their tokens for AI service credits within Anuma, aligning the token with a platform positioned to fulfill a gap in Solana’s AI infrastructure.
Shifting from layer 1 to SPL token
The transition marks a significant shift for ZetaChain, which raised $27 million in August 2023 and launched its mainnet in January 2024. Initially designed as an omnichain layer 1, the project aimed to facilitate interactions across multiple blockchains.
The proposal for migration surfaced on September 17, 2026, when ZETA traded at approximately $0.0342, rising to $0.0400 by September 19.
The decision to move to Solana reflects a broader trend among smaller layer 1 networks, which struggle to maintain validator support and security. By opting for an established ecosystem, ZetaChain demonstrates a preference among token holders for leveraging existing networks.
Implications for the gaming sector
While the vote involves no specific gaming component, it raises questions for many on-chain games that have launched their own networks. Studios face similar operational challenges as ZetaChain described. The decision by a well-funded project like ZetaChain offers a reference point for teams weighing the benefits of a dedicated chain against deploying on established networks such as Solana, where numerous titles already operate.
