ZetaChain’s community has approved a plan to retire the project’s Layer-1 blockchain and move its ZETA token and privacy-focused AI application, Anuma, to Solana, marking a sharp break from the interoperability network’s original design.
Proposal 68 passed on Sept. 20 with 99.4% support. Opposition and abstentions each accounted for 0.3% of votes, while turnout reached 58%, comfortably above the 40% quorum required for approval.
The migration would convert eligible ZETA tokens into a Solana-native SPL token on a one-to-one basis. SPL tokens are Solana’s standard format for creating and operating assets on the network, similar to how ERC-20 tokens function on Ethereum. ZETA would retain its ticker and its 2.1 billion-token total supply, according to the proposal.
The decision moves ZetaChain away from operating a standalone chain designed to connect multiple blockchain networks. Its future development would instead center on Anuma, an AI product that combines private data storage, multiple AI models, and agent-based payments.
A second vote will determine shutdown mechanics
The initial vote authorized the strategic move but did not set a date for shutting down ZetaChain’s Layer 1. A separate community proposal is expected to establish the block height used to snapshot balances, the final shutdown block, and procedures for claiming migrated ZETA or withdrawing assets from the current network.
Holders and stakers do not need to take action before those details are published, according to the proposal. Staking is expected to continue until a redemption process and final timeline are approved.
The migration applies only to ZETA held on ZetaChain’s native network. Tokens issued on Ethereum and BNB Chain are excluded from the announced conversion plan, leaving an important distinction for users holding ZETA across different chains.
The proposal also preserves the existing token-unlock schedule. That would prevent the Solana transition from changing the planned timing for locked or vesting tokens, although the token’s network role would change substantially after the migration.
ZETA previously functioned as the governance-oriented asset of an omnichain Layer 1, supporting a network intended to facilitate communication and transfers across blockchains. On Solana, the token would be more closely connected to access and usage within Anuma.
Anuma becomes the center of the token’s use case
ZetaChain introduced Anuma in February as a private, multi-model AI product supported by what it calls a privacy memory layer. The application lets users interact with different AI models while retaining control over data and conversation context, according to the project.
Anuma reports 305,881 registered users, more than 1.2 million requests processed, and access to 35 AI models. Those figures are project-reported and offer a snapshot of early product activity rather than confirmed paid usage.
Under the proposed structure, users can lock 100,000 ZETA to access Anuma Pro, a subscription tier listed at $19.99 per month. At a ZETA price around $0.05, that amount would represent roughly $5,000 in tokens locked for access rather than spent as a recurring payment.
The project says more than 490 million ZETA are currently locked, representing 23.47% of the total supply and carrying a reported value above $24 million. If those locks remain in place after the migration, they would create a substantial connection between token availability and Anuma’s access model.
That mechanism places a different set of demands on ZETA than its prior Layer-1 role. Demand would depend less on validators, cross-chain transactions, and governance participation, and more on whether users find enough value in Anuma’s privacy features, AI tools, and potential agent services to lock tokens for premium access.
Solana offers infrastructure for AI agents and payments
The proposal identifies several Solana features behind the move, including open-model compute, agent identity tools, and x402-based agent payments. The x402 standard is designed to enable machine-to-machine payments through web-based payment flows, potentially allowing software agents to pay for services automatically.
Solana’s fast settlement and low transaction costs could make those payments more practical for applications that require frequent, small-value transactions. The proposal also points to support for wallets already registered with Anuma, which could reduce friction for existing users moving into the Solana-based version of the product.
ZETA rose more than 40% on Sept. 21 following the vote before trading near $0.05, according to the market figures included with the proposal coverage. The move came after a difficult strategic reversal for a project that raised more than $27 million in 2023 and launched its mainnet in early 2024.
The coming governance vote will determine whether the technical migration can proceed smoothly. It will also test how much of ZetaChain’s community remains committed as the project trades the costs and responsibilities of running a Layer 1 for a narrower bet on private AI software running on Solana.
Curious why ZetaChain is migrating to Solana? Deepen your understanding by exploring Solana fundamentals and its ecosystem strengths.
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