Compare trading costs between Ethereum mainnet and SyncSwap v3 on zkSync Era. See how much you can save with Layer 2 technology.
Trade Cost Comparison
Ethereum Mainnet$0.00
SyncSwap v3 (zkSync Era)$0.00
You save $0.00 per trade
SyncSwap v3 isn’t just another crypto exchange. It’s the most used decentralized exchange on zkSync Era, handling nearly 4 out of every 10 trades in the entire ecosystem. If you’re trading crypto on Layer 2 to avoid Ethereum’s high fees, SyncSwap is probably already in your toolkit-even if you didn’t realize it.
Why SyncSwap v3 Exists
Ethereum is slow and expensive. Swapping tokens on the mainnet can cost $10-$50 in gas, and you might wait minutes for confirmation. That’s not trading-it’s gambling with your time and money. SyncSwap v3 solves this by running entirely on zkSync Era, a zkRollup built on Ethereum. It keeps Ethereum’s security but cuts gas fees by 90-95%. A typical swap costs less than $0.001. You can do 100 trades for less than a cup of coffee.
The platform launched after zkSync Era went live in March 2023 and quickly became the go-to DEX for users who want speed, low cost, and reliability. By October 2025, SyncSwap had processed over $8 billion in total trades. Its Total Value Locked (TVL) sat at $63.93 million, making it the largest DEX in the zkSync ecosystem by far-more than double its nearest competitor.
How SyncSwap v3 Works
SyncSwap v3 uses zero-knowledge rollups (zkRollups) to bundle hundreds of trades into a single cryptographic proof. That proof gets posted to Ethereum, which validates everything without needing to process each trade individually. This means:
Transactions settle in 10-15 minutes (faster than most Layer 1s)
Gas fees stay under 0.001 ETH per swap
Throughput hits 2,000 transactions per second
Every trade inherits Ethereum’s security
Unlike some DEXs that just copy Uniswap’s model, SyncSwap v3 was built from the ground up for zkSync. It uses a custom order book-style matching engine optimized for zkRollup efficiency. This gives it tighter spreads and better price impact on large trades.
You don’t need special hardware. Just a wallet like MetaMask configured for zkSync Era, and you’re ready. The interface is clean-swap tokens, add liquidity, or stake in pools with a few clicks. But don’t let simplicity fool you. Behind the scenes, it’s one of the most technically advanced DEXs on the market.
Supported Networks Beyond zkSync Era
SyncSwap v3 didn’t stop at zkSync Era. By mid-2025, it expanded to support four other Layer 2 networks:
Scroll
Linea
Taiko
Sophon
This is huge. Most DEXs stick to one chain. SyncSwap lets you trade USDC on zkSync, then swap it for WETH on Linea-all within the same interface. You don’t need to switch platforms or reconnect wallets. This multi-chain approach gives it unmatched liquidity depth. If you’re holding tokens across multiple L2s, SyncSwap is the only exchange you’ll need.
SYNC Token: What We Know (and What We Don’t)
In early 2025, rumors about a native SYNC token started circulating. By June, MEXC Blog confirmed a total supply of 100 million tokens, with an airdrop planned for early users. But here’s the catch: there’s still no official announcement from the SyncSwap team.
Cryptorank.io noted in June 2025 that the tokenomics were unconfirmed. No vesting schedule. No allocation breakdown. No roadmap for token utility. That’s a red flag for some. Others see it as a sign the team is being cautious-avoiding premature hype.
If you used SyncSwap before July 2025, you likely qualify for the airdrop. But until the team publishes details, treat any claims about token value as speculation. Don’t trade based on rumors. Wait for the official announcement.
Performance and Liquidity
SyncSwap’s biggest strength is liquidity. The USDC/WETH pair alone handles over $5 million in daily volume on zkSync Era. Other popular pairs like DAI/ETH and WBTC/USDT also have deep pools. That means:
Slippage stays under 0.3% on trades under $10,000
Large orders get filled without major price swings
You won’t get stuck with a token because no one’s buying
Compare that to Mute.io or SpaceFi, the next biggest DEXs on zkSync. Their TVL is roughly half of SyncSwap’s. Their liquidity pools are thinner. You’ll pay more in slippage. You’ll wait longer for trades to execute.
SyncSwap also handles spikes in traffic well. During the zkSync airdrop surge in May 2025, while other DEXs crashed or froze, SyncSwap kept running smoothly. That reliability is rare in DeFi.
What Users Say
Reddit threads from r/zksync in September 2025 are full of praise:
“Gas fees are so low I swap $500 worth of tokens just to test the interface.”
“SyncSwap is the only DEX on zkSync I trust for large trades.”
“I’ve done over 200 swaps here. Never had a failed transaction.”
But there’s a consistent complaint: the learning curve.
New users struggle with two things:
Getting assets from Ethereum mainnet to zkSync Era (the bridge can take 10-30 minutes)
Navigating the interface to claim the SYNC airdrop (many users missed it because the option was buried)
One user, u/CryptoTrader89, said it took them 30 minutes just to figure out how to claim their tokens. That’s not SyncSwap’s fault-it’s the complexity of the entire zkSync ecosystem. But it’s still a barrier for beginners.
YouTube tutorials on syncing MetaMask with zkSync have over 50,000 views. Community Discord and Telegram groups have 15,000-20,000 active members. You’re not alone if you’re confused. But you’ll need to do some homework first.
How to Get Started
Here’s the simple step-by-step:
Install MetaMask (or another zkSync-compatible wallet like Rabby)
Add the zkSync Era network manually: Network Name = zkSync Era, RPC URL = https://zksync2-mainnet.zksync.io, Chain ID = 324
Bridge ETH or USDC from Ethereum mainnet using the official zkSync bridge (takes 10-30 min)
Don’t skip step 2. Many users fail because they try to use the Ethereum network instead of zkSync Era. You’ll pay mainnet gas fees and get zero benefits.
Pros and Cons
SyncSwap v3: Quick Comparison
Feature
SyncSwap v3
Competitors (Mute.io, SpaceFi)
Gas Fees per Swap
0.0005-0.001 ETH
0.0015-0.003 ETH
TVL (Oct 2025)
$63.93M
$25M-$30M
Supported Chains
zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Taiko, Sophon
1-2 chains max
24H Trading Volume
$17.5M
$3M-$6M
UI for Beginners
Cluttered, technical
Simpler, but limited
Security
ZK-proof verified on Ethereum
ZK-proof verified on Ethereum
Who Should Use SyncSwap v3?
Use SyncSwap if:
You trade regularly on Layer 2
You want the lowest possible fees
You hold assets across multiple zkRollups
You’re comfortable with a technical interface
Avoid SyncSwap if:
You’re new to crypto and don’t understand wallets or bridges
You only trade small amounts ($50 or less) where gas fees matter more than slippage
You want a mobile app (there isn’t one yet)
Future Outlook
SyncSwap’s roadmap for Q4 2025 includes mobile app development and integrations with two more Layer 2 chains. Analysts at Messari predict the zkSync ecosystem will grow 20-30% per quarter through 2026. SyncSwap, as its largest DEX, will likely ride that wave.
Its open-source code is updated 15-20 times a week on GitHub. That’s a sign of active, healthy development. No major security breaches have ever occurred. The team hasn’t rushed the SYNC token launch-another good sign.
The biggest risk? Other DEXs catching up. But right now, SyncSwap has a 37% market share. That’s not just a lead-it’s a moat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SyncSwap v3 safe to use?
Yes. SyncSwap runs on zkSync Era, which uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify all transactions on Ethereum’s mainnet. This means it inherits Ethereum’s security. No major exploits have occurred since launch. However, always use a trusted wallet and never share your private key. The interface is secure, but user error (like sending funds to the wrong network) is still the biggest risk.
Do I need to pay gas fees on SyncSwap v3?
Yes, but they’re extremely low-usually between $0.0005 and $0.001 per swap. You pay in ETH or native tokens on zkSync Era, not Ethereum mainnet. This is 90-95% cheaper than trading on Ethereum directly. The bridge to get assets onto zkSync does cost more (around $1-$5), but that’s a one-time cost per asset.
Can I use SyncSwap on my phone?
Not yet. SyncSwap v3 is currently a web-only platform. You can access it through your mobile browser, but there’s no official app. Some users use MetaMask’s mobile browser to connect, but the experience isn’t optimized. An official mobile app is planned for late 2025 or early 2026.
What’s the SYNC token, and when will it launch?
SYNC is the planned native token of SyncSwap, with a total supply of 100 million tokens. An airdrop is confirmed for early users, but the official launch date, tokenomics, and utility have not been announced by the team. Any claims about price, staking rewards, or governance rights are speculation. Wait for an official announcement on SyncSwap’s website or Twitter before making decisions.
How does SyncSwap compare to Uniswap?
Uniswap runs on Ethereum mainnet. SyncSwap runs on zkSync Era. That means SyncSwap is faster and cheaper-often 100x cheaper in gas fees. Uniswap has more liquidity overall, but on Layer 2, SyncSwap dominates. If you’re trading on Ethereum, use Uniswap. If you’re trading on zkSync, SyncSwap is the best choice.
Final Thoughts
SyncSwap v3 isn’t perfect. The interface is clunky for beginners. The token launch is still a mystery. But it’s the most reliable, cheapest, and most liquid DEX on zkSync Era-and probably the best Layer 2 exchange you can use right now.
If you’re serious about trading crypto without paying $20 in fees every time, SyncSwap is the tool you’ve been waiting for. Just take the time to learn how to bridge assets and set up your wallet. Once you do, you’ll wonder why you ever traded on Ethereum mainnet.