Zero-knowledge roll-up ZKM sets out to make Ethereum a ‘universal payment layer’.

Zero-knowledge rollup ZKM was released from the MetisDAO Foundation’s incubation and said it plans to make Ethereum “a universal payments layer for all blockchain and non-blockchain applications.”

According to an email announcement Thursday, ZKM is developing a hybrid approach that combines Optimistic and Zero-Knowledge rollups into one, with funding from the foundation that oversees the development of Metis, a layer 2 Ethereum protocol. Rollups are a way to bundle transactions to improve throughput and lower transaction costs.

The system is scheduled to begin operation on the Ethereum testnet in January next year.

Metis will be the first network to use ZKM’s hybrid rollup. This allows layer 1 chains to implement instantaneous transfers at layer 2.

“From a user experience perspective, all users in the Metis ecosystem will benefit from instant, unlimited asset transfers,” ZKM said in a statement.

ZKM said the rollup aims to improve existing layer 2 networks like Metis and Optimism, with the goal of making them compatible with other layer 1s like Solana, Avalanche, and BNB Chain.

ZKM then said it plans to make Ethereum a payment layer for non-blockchain applications, providing infrastructure for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.