ADI Chain, a zkRollup Layer 2 on Ethereum, aims to provide banks, governments, and companies with compliant infrastructure for stablecoin payments and real-world asset tokenization, backed by major partners and a custom gas token.
ADI Chain is positioning itself as an institutional-grade Layer 2 network on Ethereum, designed to support compliant digital asset infrastructure for banks, governments, and large enterprises. Built on zkSync OS and leveraging the Airbender zero-knowledge proof system, ADI Chain claims to offer high throughput, customizable compliance frameworks, and support for tokenizing real-world assets (RWA) within a secure, Ethereum-compatible environment.
The project is led by the ADI Foundation, established by Sirius International Holding, a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC) based in Abu Dhabi. Unlike public Layer 2 networks that primarily target open DeFi applications, ADI Chain is focused on institutional and government use cases, including stablecoin settlement, cross-border payments, and RWA tokenization. The network's architecture allows institutions to deploy their own Layer 3 chains with tailored compliance policies, while final settlement security is anchored to Ethereum through zero-knowledge validity proofs.
Architecture and Compliance
ADI Chain operates as a zkRollup, executing transactions off the Ethereum mainnet and batching them for submission to Layer 1. Each batch is accompanied by a zero-knowledge validity proof, which is verified by a smart contract on Ethereum. Only after successful verification is the new state accepted, and any invalid batches are rejected. This approach is intended to combine scalability with the security guarantees of Ethereum's base layer.
The technical stack is built on zkSync OS and the Airbender proof system, which uses a pipeline of FRI/STARK and FFLONK SNARK proofs. This setup is designed to deliver high transaction throughput-reportedly between 2,000 and 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) on a single ADI L2 instance-with the option to further scale via multiple Layer 3 deployments for different jurisdictions or applications. The network is fully EVM-compatible, allowing developers to use familiar Ethereum tools and smart contracts.
Tokenomics and Ecosystem
Gas fees on ADI Chain are paid in the network's native $ADI token, rather than ETH, through a custom gas token mechanism. This is intended to simplify user and developer experience by removing the need to hold ETH for routine operations on the Layer 2 network. The $ADI token also serves as the utility token for payments and staking within the ecosystem.
ADI Chain's stated goal is to provide compliant digital asset infrastructure to regions with limited access to modern banking and financial services, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The project aims to onboard up to one billion users by 2030, according to its foundation. Key ecosystem partners include Mastercard, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and M-Pesa, signaling a focus on large-scale institutional adoption and integration with established financial infrastructure.
Risks and Limitations
While ADI Chain's architecture is designed for institutional compliance and scalability, the ecosystem remains in an early stage. The requirement for robust hardware to operate Layer 3 chains may present barriers for some participants. Additionally, the project's tokenomics include long token lock-up periods, which could affect liquidity and user incentives. As with any Layer 2 solution, the security of the network ultimately depends on the integrity of its zero-knowledge proofs and the underlying Ethereum mainnet.
According to documentation published by ADI Chain, the network's throughput and compliance features are intended to address the needs of governments, sovereign wealth funds, and regulated financial institutions. However, the extent of real-world adoption, regulatory acceptance, and integration with existing financial systems remains to be seen. U.S. users and institutions should consider jurisdictional restrictions, regulatory requirements, and the evolving landscape for tokenized assets and stablecoin payments when evaluating participation.
As of June 2026, ADI Chain has not published audited figures for total value locked, circulating supply of $ADI, or transaction volume. The network's technical documentation claims support for 2,000-10,000 TPS per L2 instance, but independent verification of sustained throughput and security is not yet available. The presence of major partners such as Mastercard and BlackRock has been announced, but the scope and depth of these integrations have not been independently confirmed.
Layer 2 networks like ADI Chain rely on zero-knowledge proofs to achieve scalability without compromising the security of the Ethereum mainnet. In a zkRollup, user transactions are processed off-chain and bundled into batches, with a cryptographic proof submitted to Ethereum for verification. This model reduces congestion and fees on the base layer while maintaining trust in the final settlement. However, the effectiveness of this approach depends on the robustness of the proof system, the reliability of the operator infrastructure, and the ability to respond to evolving regulatory and compliance requirements. For institutions considering tokenization or stablecoin settlement on Layer 2, careful evaluation of technical, legal, and operational risks is essential.
