Starknet community backs research into independent post-quantum Layer 1

Community votes to research a shift to a separate Layer 1

Starknet holders have backed research into moving the network from an Ethereum Layer 2 (a network built on top of Ethereum to help process transactions faster) to an independent Layer 1 (its own separate blockchain). The vote was only to research the change, not to approve a transition itself.

Strong support with no vote from StarkWare

• Vote result: More than 93.5% of voting power backed the proposal.
• Participation: Over 2,800 wallets took part in the seven-day Snapshot poll, which closed on Thursday morning.
• Neutral role: StarkWare, the company behind Starknet, did not vote in the poll and left the decision to the community.

Quantum security drives the discussion

Starknet already uses hash-based cryptography and its accounts can adopt post-quantum signatures without changes to the protocol. However, its bridge and data availability rely on Ethereum, so those parts cannot become quantum-safe independently of Ethereum. The team has pointed to Ethereum's stated target of 2029 to become quantum-safe as a concern.

StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson has set a 2027 target for Starknet to become quantum-safe, though no date has been agreed for a possible transition to Layer 1.

Next steps are limited to research for now

StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation will now research the possible transition. Work on a whitepaper has started, and a draft is expected for public review in November. Any actual move to Layer 1 would require another vote from STRK holders.

For now, several things are confirmed regardless of the path: STRK will remain the native token, no new token will be introduced, and Ethereum bridges to Starknet will remain open.

Sources

• The Block