ZetaChain votes to shut down Layer 1 network, migrate ZETA to Solana
ZetaChain token holders overwhelmingly approved Proposal 68 to shut down their Layer 1 network and migrate the ZETA token to Solana as a native SPL token.
- Development: ZetaChain votes to shut down Layer 1 network, migrate ZETA to Solana
- Core Takeaway: ZetaChain token holders overwhelmingly approved Proposal 68 to shut down their Layer 1 network and migrate the ZETA token to Solana as a native SPL token.
- Context: Primary reporting aggregated across independent newsrooms and verified against CurrentDeck standards.
ZetaChain Approves Layer 1 Shutdown and Solana Migration
Token holders have overwhelmingly approved the shutdown of ZetaChain's independent blockchain, choosing to convert the project's native asset into a Solana SPL token according to reports from cryptobriefing.com. The interoperability network, which originally raised $27 million with backing from investors including Blockchain.com and Jane Street Capital, is pulling the plug on its own Cosmos SDK-based chain following a decisive governance vote.
Proposal 68 cleared by a wide margin on September 20, 2026, with a participation rate of 58%. A full 99.4% of participating votes supported the shutdown and migration plan, leaving opposition and abstentions combining for just 0.3%. The network originally launched its mainnet in January 2024, positioning itself as an omnichain interoperability solution alongside projects like LayerZero, Axelar, and Wormhole before deciding to wind down the independent chain roughly two years later.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Approval Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Governance Proposal | Proposal 68 |
| Approval Rate | 99.4% |
| Voter Participation | 58% |
| Initial Mainnet Launch | January 2024 |
| Initial Funding Raised | $27 million |
Technical Mechanics and Tokenomics of the ZETA Migration
The upcoming migration will convert existing ZETA tokens on a one-to-one basis, ensuring that no new tokens are minted and the total supply stays unchanged. However, developers must navigate a specific technical adjustment regarding token architecture. The token's decimal precision will shift from 18 to 9, matching Solana's standard SPL format.
Holders should note that this transition applies specifically to the native ZetaChain Layer 1 tokens, and tokens held on Ethereum or BNB Chain will not be swept up in this process. Existing vesting schedules also remain intact. An exact shutdown date for ZetaChain's independent network hasn't been set yet. Validators can keep running their nodes until the migration wraps up, and a second governance proposal is expected to lay out the mechanical details, including snapshot block heights, the claims process, and the timeline for making the switch.
Strategic Pivot Toward Artificial Intelligence Applications
The core driver behind the network's dramatic identity shift is the rise of Anuma, a private AI application that ZetaChain's team launched in February 2026 and that quickly attracted over 300,000 users. The project's pivot from blockchain infrastructure to AI-focused consumer applications explains why an independent Layer 1 started looking less like a competitive advantage and more like overhead.
Alongside the ZETA token migration, Anuma will migrate to Solana as well. Investors who bought into the cross-chain narrative are now holding exposure to a fundamentally different bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of voters approved the ZetaChain shutdown?
A full 99.4% of participating votes backed the shutdown, with opposition and abstentions combining for just 0.3%.
How will existing ZETA tokens convert to Solana?
The migration will convert ZETA tokens on a one-to-one basis, though the token's decimal precision will shift from 18 to 9 to match Solana's standard SPL format, with no new tokens minted and total supply unchanged.
As validators keep running their nodes until the migration wraps up, token holders await the second governance proposal to outline the final mechanical details for transitioning to the Solana ecosystem.
How significant is this development?
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CurrentDeck is dedicated to independent, evidence-backed reporting. This briefing was synthesized from primary source reporting, corroborated across independent newsrooms, and verified against our Editorial Standards.
