Deep Dive
1. Carnelian Upgrade (Q1 2026)
Overview
Carnelian, the next mainnet upgrade, will introduce Native Smart Accounts compatible with ERC-4337 standards. This allows programmable wallets with features like multi-factor authentication and gasless transactions. It also refines X-Shards – customizable shards for app-specific scaling and privacy.
What this means
Bullish: Enhances user experience for regulated DeFi and institutional use cases. Bearish: Delays in implementation could slow developer adoption.
2. Citrine Upgrade (Mid-2026)
Overview
Citrine focuses on light client support, enabling mobile/low-resource nodes to participate in consensus. It also upgrades Smart Accounts for selective data disclosure (e.g., KYC-compliant privacy).
What this means
Bullish: Expands network accessibility and compliance tools. Neutral: Impact depends on regulatory clarity for privacy features.
3. Ecosystem Incentives (Ongoing)
Overview
- GZIL Collective Grants: Season 2 funding for developers (applications open Q1 2026).
- Rarible Partnership: Post-launch incentives for NFT creators (e.g., $10K liquidity pools).
What this means
Bullish: Could boost dApp diversity and user activity. Risk: Market saturation in NFT platforms may limit traction.
Conclusion
Zilliqa’s roadmap prioritizes infrastructure for regulated finance (Smart Accounts) and scalable modularity (X-Shards). While technical milestones are ambitious, execution risks and competition in EVM-compatible chains remain hurdles. Will developer incentives and compliance-ready features attract institutional capital?