Your Frequently Asked Syscoin Questions, Answered

Q: What is zkSYS?

zkSYS is Syscoin’s flagship execution layer—a high-performance zk-rollup built to demonstrate what’s possible using our Edgechain standard. It’s anchored to Bitcoin, modular in design, and built to scale smart contracts and dapps without compromise. Anyone can deploy their own Edgechain. zkSYS is ours, the first Edgechain that shows what's possible and the template for others to follow.

Q: What’s an Edgechain?

An Edgechain is a sovereign zk-rollup launched using Syscoin’s modular infrastructure. Unlike most rollups, Edgechains don’t rely on third-party data availability providers or rent a shared sequencer. They inherit Bitcoin’s security and can be fully customized by the project that launches them.

Q: Is zkSYS the only Edgechain?

Not at all. zkSYS is the first, but the goal is to inspire others to launch their own. Any project can deploy an Edgechain—tailored to their needs, secured by Bitcoin, and benefiting from shared liquidity across the Bitcoin+ ecosystem. Q: What is Bitcoin+?

Bitcoin+ is Syscoin’s vision for a modular Web3 ecosystem that builds on Bitcoin without compromising its principles. It combines Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work security and final settlement with scalable smart contracts, sovereign zk-rollups (Edgechains), and trustless data availability (BitcoinDA).

Instead of fragmenting innovation across competing Layer 1s, Bitcoin+ unifies it—extending Bitcoin’s utility without altering its core. It’s not an altcoin strategy. It’s a framework for returning to a Bitcoin-centered future.

Q: What makes the “Final Ledger” final?

The Final Ledger isn’t just a technical term—it’s a philosophy. It reflects Syscoin’s commitment to building systems that are resilient, verifiable, and designed to endure.

Syscoin turned 10 in 2024. That’s a decade of anticipating the needs of a future that hadn’t yet arrived. While others chased trends, we quietly laid the foundations—Bitcoin merge-mining, early modularity, zk-rollups, and data availability—all before they became industry standards.

We believe the best way to honor Bitcoin’s potential is to build infrastructure that outlasts us. Because once this technology achieves widespread adoption, there’s no going back to fix what wasn’t built right the first time.

That’s why the Final Ledger is more than just a fast, scalable chain. It’s a system anchored in Bitcoin, strengthened by Sentry Nodes, secured by BitcoinDA, and designed with permanence—not hype—in mind.

Q: What are Sentry Nodes?

Sentry Nodes are a proven part of Syscoin’s infrastructure, running strong since 2018 under the masternode model. They contribute to network security, enable fast probabilistic finality via ChainLocks, and will continue evolving to serve an even more critical role in Syscoin’s modular future.

Anyone can operate a Sentry Node by staking 100,000 SYS. This open, permissionless design reinforces decentralization while aligning incentives for participants who actively secure the network.

Far from being theoretical, Sentry Nodes are a battle-tested system—already powering Syscoin’s chain—and will be instrumental in securing the Final Ledger as zkSYS and other Edgechains come online. Q: What is merged mining, and why does it matter?

Merged mining allows Bitcoin miners to simultaneously mine Syscoin without any extra energy or computational cost. Since Syscoin is merge-mined with Bitcoin, miners can earn additional rewards simply by activating a compatible client—getting paid more for the exact same work.

Over 50% of all Bitcoin hashpower already merge-mines Syscoin, reinforcing its security with the strongest decentralized network in the world. This means Syscoin inherits Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work guarantees—unlike most L1s or L2s that rely on weaker security models or trust assumptions.

If you’re a BTC miner not yet merge-mining Syscoin, you’re leaving money on the table. No additional electricity. No added risk. Just more reward from the same hash.

It’s the most efficient way to maximize your revenue while supporting a project built to extend Bitcoin’s utility.

Q: How does this differ from Ethereum L2s?

Many Ethereum L2s rely on centralized sequencers or third-party DA layers, fragment liquidity, and don’t contribute value back to their base layer. Syscoin’s architecture reinforces Bitcoin, minimizes fragmentation, and allows projects to truly own their infrastructure.

Q: Is zkSYS live?

The zkSYS testnet is currently live. Developers and projects are encouraged to begin building, testing, and preparing for mainnet deployment.

Q: Where can I learn more or get involved?

Visit syscoin.org and join our Discord, or explore the testnet today.