---
title: "ZetaChain Proposes Layer 1 Shutdown to Migrate ZETA to Solana on Dec. 9"
description: "Governance Proposal 2 outlines plans to halt the network, issue ZETA as an SPL token, and burn roughly 55 million tokens slated for validator emissions."
url: https://basisdesk.news/news/zetachain-proposes-layer-1-halt-migration-to-solana
published: 2026-11-05T22:06:19.757Z
modified: 2026-11-05T22:06:19.757Z
section: Altcoins
author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified)
sentiment: neutral
tickers: [ZETA, SOL]
tags: [ZetaChain, Solana, Token Migration, Governance, AI, SPL]
license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice.
---

# ZetaChain Proposes Layer 1 Shutdown to Migrate ZETA to Solana on Dec. 9

Governance Proposal 2 outlines plans to halt the network, issue ZETA as an SPL token, and burn roughly 55 million tokens slated for validator emissions.

## At a glance

- **What happened:** ZetaChain introduced Governance Proposal 2 to permanently halt its Layer 1 on Dec. 9, 2026, and migrate ZETA to Solana as a native SPL token.
- **Why it matters:** The move sunsets ZetaChain's independent blockchain, revokes token mint authority post-migration, and burns approximately 55 million tokens previously designated for validator emissions.
- **Who is affected:** ZETA holders, Layer 1 validators, and liquidity providers on ZetaChain decentralized exchanges.
- **Takes effect:** Dec 9, 2026
- **What's next:** Voting on Proposal 2 concludes on Nov. 7, 2026, ahead of the security audit release and the scheduled Dec. 9 snapshot.
- **Status:** proposed
- **Primary source:** [ZETA Moves to Solana on Dec 9, and ZetaLabs Launches With It](https://www.zetachain.com/blog/zeta-moves-to-solana-dec-9) — zetachain.com

## Key points

- ZetaChain Proposal 2 schedules a permanent Layer 1 halt around Dec. 9, 2026, to migrate the ecosystem to Solana.
- ZETA will convert 1:1 into a native SPL token with revoked mint authority, while ~55 million unissued validator tokens will be burned throughout 2027.
- The 72-hour governance vote concludes Nov. 7, coinciding with Hacken's security review and the Dec. 9 launch of the ZetaLabs AI app.

## Editorial remark

- **Context:** ZetaChain previously operated as a cross-chain interoperability Layer 1 connecting chains like Ethereum and Bitcoin. Proposal 68 approved a transition toward decentralized AI infrastructure in September with 99.4% approval.
- **Impact:** Validators lose ongoing emission rewards as the Layer 1 halts permanently. Token holders must remove liquidity from pools before the Dec. 9 snapshot to preserve claim eligibility.
- **Watch:** The conclusion of the ZetaHub governance vote on Nov. 7, followed by the release of Hacken's security audit report before Dec. 9.

ZetaChain submitted Governance Proposal 2 on Nov. 4, outlining technical mechanisms and timelines to permanently halt its Layer 1 blockchain and reissue its native token on the Solana network [1]. If approved by community vote, the ZetaChain Layer 1 will halt around Dec. 9, 2026, alongside the migration of $ZETA to an SPL token standard on Solana at a 1:1 ratio [1].

The measure executes a strategic pivot approved in September by Proposal 68, which passed with 99.4% support to reposition the project around artificial intelligence applications [1]. Under the pending plan, a balance snapshot covering liquid, staked, unbonding, and unclaimed reward balances will occur at an identified block height on Dec. 9 [1]. The snapshot total will be minted on Solana, after which the mint authority will be permanently revoked to prevent future inflation [1]. Staked and centralized exchange balances will convert automatically, while self-custody holders will claim tokens via the ZetaHub migration portal without paying network fees [1]. Holders must possess at least 10 ZETA at the snapshot to qualify for manual claims [1].

## Shifting Network Architecture to AI Applications

Retiring the Layer 1 ends ZetaChain validator staking rewards at the snapshot block [1]. Consequently, the project plans to burn roughly 55 million ZETA across twelve monthly tranches of about 4.6 million tokens throughout 2027—funds originally earmarked for validator emissions [1]. Tokens held in smart contracts or liquidity pools will not be claimable directly; holders must unwrap and withdraw assets before the snapshot occurs [1]. Bridged ZRC-20 assets can be reclaimed on their original origin chains starting Dec. 9, provided they meet a $5 minimum threshold per token [1]. The project stated that Hacken is conducting an independent security review of the migration program and portal [1].

The migration coincides with the Dec. 9 rollout of ZetaLabs, an encrypted AI market research application deployed on Solana [1]. Project documentation states Solana was selected due to existing onchain payment rails and agent infrastructure, pointing to x402 processing over 35 million transactions [1]. The broader Solana ecosystem continues to expand its transaction tooling, including institutional moves like [Securitize's launch of tokenized equities on Solana](https://basisdesk.news/news/securitize-launches-tokenized-us-stocks-solana) [1].

Voting on Governance Proposal 2 closes on Nov. 7 [1]. If approved, vesting schedules for core contributors and early purchasers will conclude as scheduled on Jan. 1, 2027, with commitments barring sales of newly unlocked tokens during 2027 [1].

## FAQ

**What happens to staked ZETA during the migration?**

Staked and unbonding balances will be automatically captured in the Dec. 9 snapshot and converted 1:1 on Solana without requiring manual unstaking, though staking rewards end at the snapshot block.

**Do liquidity providers need to take action?**

Yes. Holders with ZETA in liquidity pools or smart contracts must withdraw and unwrap their tokens before the Dec. 9 snapshot, as tokens held within contracts cannot be claimed via wallet signatures.

## Sources

1. [ZETA Moves to Solana on Dec 9, and ZetaLabs Launches With It](https://www.zetachain.com/blog/zeta-moves-to-solana-dec-9) — zetachain.com, 2026-11-04

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Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai
