Ethereum Foundation Introduces zkAPI for Private, Unlinkable API Usage Credits

The Ethereum Foundation has introduced zkAPI, a system for authorizing metered API usage through Ethereum-backed credits and zero-knowledge proofs. The foundation published the announcement on October 1, 2026.

Under the proposed model, users deposit credits into an Ethereum vault, then generate proofs that authorize a bounded amount of API use. The API provider can verify the authorization without directly receiving the user’s identity or a link to the original deposit.

The project was developed by the Open Anonymity Project in collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation. Its stated aim is to separate payment information from API requests, including for AI-related services and other APIs.

Public project materials also describe zkAPI as experimental software. That status is important when assessing the announcement, particularly because repository documentation indicates that some deployment profiles are placeholders or are not production releases.

How zkAPI is designed to work

zkAPI is intended to replace an account-based payment flow with usage credits that can be proven privately. A user deposits ETH into an Ethereum vault and can subsequently present a zero-knowledge proof to authorize limited API consumption.

The provider verifies that the proof permits the requested usage, while the design is intended to avoid exposing the user’s deposit linkage to that provider. According to the project description, unused balances can be withdrawn on-chain.

The approach focuses on a narrow problem: allowing an API operator to confirm that a request is paid for without requiring the operator to tie every request to the payer’s on-chain funding activity.

Mainnet announcement and experimental repository status

The Ethereum Foundation’s announcement says zkAPI runs on Ethereum Mainnet. However, the associated public repository characterizes the software as experimental and notes that some current deployment profiles are placeholders or not production releases.

These statements may refer to different versions, components, or stages of deployment. The available materials do not resolve that distinction, so the production status of each zkAPI component should not be assumed from the mainnet reference alone.

The repository also describes support for payments for AI and other API services using ETH, alongside the ability to withdraw remaining balances on-chain.

Research background

The underlying design was previously discussed in an Ethereum Research proposal, “ZK API Usage Credits: LLMs and Beyond,” published in February 2026 by Davide Crapis and Vitalik Buterin.

That proposal framed private usage credits as a potential way to pay for services such as large language model APIs while reducing the connection between payment data and individual service requests.

zkAPI’s release places that concept into a public project, but its experimental designation means the implementation should be evaluated separately from the broader research proposal.

Continue reading: Ethereum postponed Glamsterdam Hoodi testnet activation over smart-contract gas risks on BTCNews.

Continue reading: Teku and Besu patched Docker trust stores after an eMudhra certificate weakness on BTCNews.

Sources

• Ethereum Foundation Blog: Introducing zkAPI: private usage credits for any API
• GitHub: ethereum/zkapi
• Ethereum Research: ZK API Usage Credits: LLMs and Beyond

Our creator. Creates amazing NFT collections! Support the editor - Bitcoin_Man(TON) / Bitcoin Man Stickers(TON) / BM Numbers (TON) / Comics Book (TON) / Bitcoin_Man (ETH)

Pi Network (Guide)is a new digital currency developed by Stanford PhDs with over 55 million participants worldwide. To get your Pi, follow this link https://minepi.com/Tsybko and use my username (Tsybko) as the invite code.

Binance: Use this link to sign up and get $100 free and 10% off your first months Binance Futures fees (Terms and Conditions).

Bitget: Use this link Use the Rewards Center and win up to 5027 USDT!(Review)

Bybit: Use this link (all possible discounts on commissions and bonuses up to $30,030 included) If you register through the application, then at the time of registration simply enter in the reference: WB8XZ4 - (manual)