ZetaChain has introduced Governance Proposal 2 to permanently shut down block production on its Layer-1 network on Dec. 9, 2026, at block 20,755,000. The move marks a new chapter: all native ZETA tokens will migrate to the Solana blockchain as SPL tokens at a 1:1 ratio without minting new supply. Once the migration is complete, the token minting authority on Solana will also be immediately revoked.
Yet what makes this move unusual is not merely the asset migration - it is the willingness to shut down the foundational network they built themselves.
Why ZetaChain Is Leaving Its Own Network
Developers decided to sunset the Layer-1 chain due to the heavy burden of validator coordination, software maintenance, and security costs. The development team has opted to shift its full focus toward building ZetaLabs, a private artificial intelligence platform operating within the Solana ecosystem.
The community previously approved this strategic direction in an initial vote in September 2025 with 99.4% support. The official governance vote to ratify the second proposal remains open until Nov. 7, 2026, at 16:12 UTC.
Alongside the blockchain shutdown, the ZetaChain Foundation plans to burn approximately 55 million ZETA previously allocated for validator rewards. This supply reduction will not happen all at once, but will instead be executed across 12 monthly transactions throughout 2027.
Claim Requirements and Balances That Must Be Withdrawn
ZETA token claims on Solana are scheduled to open on Dec. 9 via the ZetaHub portal with zero transaction fees. There is a minimum balance threshold of 10 ZETA per wallet to process claims. Ahead of the portal’s public launch, security firm Hacken is currently auditing the claim system to prevent technical vulnerabilities.
An important warning has been issued for users holding assets in decentralized instruments. ZETA holders in liquidity pools and wrapped-token contracts are required to withdraw their positions before the snapshot is taken. This requirement arises because the self-claim mechanism cannot access or read balances locked within smart contracts.
In contrast, holders of ERC-20 ZETA tokens already circulating on the Ethereum network are unaffected by the migration and will continue operating as usual.
For ZETA holders, Dec. 9 serves as a critical deadline to check their wallets. Withdrawing assets from smart contracts before the snapshot is taken is an essential step to ensure token claim eligibility on Solana is not lost when the Layer-1 network halts operations.
Reported by crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
