What is Zilliqa? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Zilliqa at a glance.

Zilliqa splits the network into shards that process transactions in parallel, which is meant to raise capacity as the network grows. Here is how it works and how it is used, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Zilliqa. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

ZIL

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live ZIL price.

How it works

How Zilliqa works.

Zilliqa uses proof of work to establish shard membership and identity, then practical Byzantine fault tolerance (pBFT) within shards to agree on transactions. Splitting the network into shards lets groups of nodes process transactions in parallel.

Consensus: Sharding with PoW and pBFT

Zilliqa uses proof of work to establish shard membership and identity, then practical Byzantine fault tolerance (pBFT) within shards to agree on transactions. Splitting the network into shards lets groups of nodes process transactions in parallel.

Sharding

The network is divided into shards that each process a portion of transactions in parallel.

PoW for identity

Proof of work is used to establish shard membership and prevent fake identities.

pBFT for agreement

Within each shard, practical Byzantine fault tolerance is used to agree on transactions.

Scilla contracts

Smart contracts are written in Scilla, a language designed for safety and clarity.

Ecosystem & usage

What Zilliqa is used for.

Zilliqa is used for smart contracts and applications that benefit from parallel processing.

Smart contracts

Applications built with the Scilla language.

High-throughput apps

Apps that benefit from parallel processing across shards.

Digital assets

Tokens and assets issued on the network.

In the Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend ZIL.

Zilliqa is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold ZIL in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold ZIL in Zypto How to buy ZIL

Be the reason Zilliqa ships next.

Zilliqa isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

How does Zilliqa scale?

Zilliqa uses sharding, splitting the network into shards that process transactions in parallel.

What consensus does Zilliqa use?

It combines proof of work for shard identity with practical Byzantine fault tolerance for agreement within shards.

What language are Zilliqa contracts written in?

Smart contracts on Zilliqa use Scilla, a language designed for safety and clarity.

Can I hold ZIL in the Zypto App?

Not yet. ZIL isn't in the Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Zilliqa using the "Request Zilliqa" button above.

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