Key facts
- Starknet is exploring a transition to become a Layer 1 blockchain.
- The target date for Starknet to become fully quantum-resistant is 2027.
- StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson cited quantum computing threats and AI advancements as motivations.
- Starknet's STRK token was trading around $0.073 on Friday, up 20% in 24 hours.
- Ethereum's roadmap targets post-quantum infrastructure by around 2029.
Starknet, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling network developed by StarkWare, is actively considering a significant shift to become an independent Layer 1 blockchain. The project aims to achieve full quantum resistance by 2027, a move that would grant it greater control over its security upgrades and development roadmap.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson highlighted the potential threat posed by quantum computers, which could one day break the elliptic-curve cryptography used by current blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He also pointed to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence as a factor necessitating a proactive approach to security, a sentiment echoed by Ethereum researcher Justin Drake's call for "bunker mode."
As a Layer 2 solution, Starknet currently relies on Ethereum for its security. However, Ethereum's own roadmap for post-quantum infrastructure is targeted for around 2029. Ben-Sasson suggested that if Ethereum does not progress quickly enough, Starknet would need to pursue its own path to quantum resistance. Becoming a Layer 1 would allow Starknet to implement its own security upgrades without depending on the base layer's timeline.
The STRK token, Starknet's native cryptocurrency, saw a notable increase, trading around $0.073 on Friday, marking a 20% rise in 24 hours and more than doubling its price from approximately $0.03 in April. This price surge follows the announcement of the potential L1 transition.
While Starknet's proofs utilize hash functions considered quantum-resistant, certain elliptic-curve components remain, which the project plans to address. The transition to a Layer 1 would mean Starknet would be fully responsible for its own security and development, a considerable undertaking given the complexity and activity of major blockchain ecosystems.