ZetaChain Approves Shutting Down Its Layer-1 and Moving ZETA to Solana
Token holders approved the wind-down with nearly every vote in favor. Block production stops at block 20,755,000 on December 9, and ZETA converts one for one into a Solana token.
Key Takeaways
- ZetaChain holders approved Proposal 70, which halts the project's own layer-1 around December 9, 2026.
- The final block is 20,755,000. After it, no transactions are processed and the chain is not restarted.
- ZETA converts one for one into a Solana SPL token through a claim portal that opens December 9.
- Wrapped ZETA and liquid-staking positions must be exited before the snapshot to qualify for claims.
ZetaChain holders approved a plan to retire the project's own blockchain and move its token to Solana. The vote on Proposal 70 closed on November 7 with nearly every vote in favor, confirming the date and the claim rules for the move.
What the Vote Decided
Proposal 70 names the chain's final block, 20,755,000, and targets a halt around December 9, 2026. "After the halt no transactions are processed and the chain is not restarted," the proposal reads. A snapshot of balances is taken at that block, and ZetaChain (ZETA) converts one for one into a Solana SPL token that keeps the ZETA ticker.
Holders of at least 10 ZETA claim their tokens through a ZetaHub portal that opens on December 9. The portal goes live once security firm Hacken publishes its review of the Solana program that distributes the new tokens. Claiming is free and does not require SOL.
What Holders Need to Know
Staked ZETA does not need to be unstaked. The snapshot counts delegated tokens, tokens in the 21-day unbonding period and unclaimed rewards. Staking rewards stop at the halt block.
Wrapped ZETA and ZETA sitting in liquid-staking pools cannot be claimed through the portal, because those balances live in smart contracts. The proposal tells holders to unwrap and exit pools before the snapshot. ZetaChain says exchange balances convert automatically, with each exchange announcing its own timing. Existing ERC-20 ZETA on Ethereum is not affected.
Why ZetaChain Is Leaving Its Own Chain
Holders first backed the move in principle on September 20, when 99.44% of votes on Proposal 68 were yes. In that proposal, ZetaChain wrote that running its own layer-1 no longer helped the team build private AI. The project is a universal layer-1 built with the Cosmos SDK, known for native cross-chain connectivity without wrapped assets, according to Coinranking's ZetaChain overview.
ZetaChain's cross-chain service is already offline. It stopped accepting inbound transfers in June and shut off withdrawals on July 1. Coverage of the proposal also describes a plan to burn about 55 million ZETA in undistributed validator rewards across 2027 and to stop validator inflation.
The ZetaChain price chart on Coinranking tracks the market through the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Does ZetaChain Shut Down Its Layer-1?
Around December 9, 2026, at block 20,755,000. After that block, no transactions are processed and the chain is not restarted.
What Happens to ZETA Tokens?
Each ZETA converts one for one into a Solana SPL token with the same ticker, claimed through a ZetaHub portal from December 9.
Do Holders Need to Do Anything before the Snapshot?
Most holders claim after the halt. Only holders of wrapped ZETA or liquid-staking positions must unwrap and exit those pools before the snapshot.
What Is the Minimum Balance to Claim?
A wallet needs 10 ZETA or more at the snapshot to qualify for the claim portal.
What Is ZetaChain?
ZetaChain is a universal layer-1 blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK that connects chains such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana without wrapped assets.
Sources
- ZETA moves to Solana on Dec 9 · ZetaChain
- Proposal 70 · ZetaChain governance
- ZetaChain Targets Dec. 9 to Switch Off Its Blockchain and Move ZETA to Solana · Unchained
Prices and market data: Coinranking.
