Starknet Considers Moving Beyond Ethereum Layer 2
Starknet, the Ethereum scaling network developed by StarkWare, is considering becoming an independent layer-1 blockchain. The project announced the possibility in a post on X, saying the change could help it become the first fully quantum-resistant network, with 2027 as its target.
The announcement marks a potential shift in Starknet’s relationship with Ethereum. As a layer-2 network, Starknet processes transactions away from Ethereum’s main chain and uses Ethereum as part of its security model. A layer-1 blockchain, by contrast, operates its own base network and is responsible for validating and securing transactions under its own protocol.
Starknet described the L1 transition as an option it is actively considering, not a finalized decision. The announcement did not outline a migration plan, explain how existing applications and users would be affected, or provide a confirmed timeline for any structural change.
STRK Token Climbs Around 20%
The news arrived as Starknet’s native STRK token traded near $0.073, up approximately 20% over 24 hours, according to the figures in the supplied report. That price was also more than twice the roughly $0.03 level recorded in April, when StarkWare reduced its workforce as part of a shift toward revenue generation.
The price movement indicates a positive market reaction around the announcement, but it does not establish that the proposed L1 transition will proceed or that the token will continue rising. Crypto prices can change quickly, and a single day’s performance does not confirm a longer-term trend.
The April workforce cuts formed part of a broader effort to focus on revenue, StarkWare’s restructuring. The latest announcement instead focused on the network’s long-term security architecture and the potential implications of quantum computing.
Why Quantum Computing Matters for Blockchain Security
Many blockchain systems use elliptic-curve cryptography to secure digital signatures. These signatures help verify that a transaction was authorized by the holder of the relevant private key. A sufficiently powerful, fault-tolerant quantum computer could potentially undermine widely used forms of this cryptography.
Such machines do not currently exist at a capability known to break the cryptographic systems protecting major blockchains. However, researchers and developers are working on post-quantum alternatives before that risk becomes practical.
Starknet’s technology relies heavily on cryptographic proofs based on hash functions, which are generally considered more resistant to known quantum attacks than elliptic-curve signature systems. That does not automatically make the entire network quantum-resistant: other components, including signature mechanisms and account authentication, must also be evaluated and potentially replaced.
StarkWare outlined work toward quantum safety in a roadmap published on June 30. The project’s stated 2027 goal therefore depends on addressing the remaining vulnerable components, rather than simply relying on its existing proof technology.
Eli Ben-Sasson Says Starknet Cannot Control Ethereum’s Timeline
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson raised the possibility of an L1 transition in a post on X. He warned that the quantum threat could arrive sooner than expected and pointed to rapid progress in artificial intelligence and mathematics as an additional reason to prepare.
Ben-Sasson argued that Starknet’s current position as an Ethereum L2 creates a dependency: even if Starknet upgrades its own cryptography, its broader security model remains connected to Ethereum. He said Ethereum needs to move quickly and that becoming an L1 is one option if the base layer’s progress does not match Starknet’s requirements.
The concern reflects a trade-off between inheriting security from an established blockchain and controlling the timing of critical upgrades. As an independent L1, Starknet could set its own protocol priorities. But it would also take on responsibility for securing its own base layer instead of relying on Ethereum in the same way.
Ethereum’s Post-Quantum Timeline Extends Toward 2029
Ethereum has its own quantum-resistance initiative. Its published quantum-resistance roadmap describes work to prepare core infrastructure for a post-quantum future, with the supplied report citing a target around 2029.
The Ethereum Foundation also formed a dedicated post-quantum team in January, reflecting the growing attention developers are giving to long-term cryptographic risks. Ethereum researcher Justin Drake has similarly called for urgent preparation, using the phrase “bunker mode” to describe the need to strengthen systems against future threats.
Ben-Sasson’s stated 2027 target would put Starknet’s intended timeline roughly two years ahead of Ethereum’s cited target. These are project goals, however, not guarantees that every relevant component will be upgraded or that quantum attacks will become feasible on a particular date.
Bitcoin has not made the same commitment to a specific timeline in the statements described by the report. Different blockchain ecosystems may approach the issue at different speeds, depending on their architecture, governance and upgrade processes.
The Trade-Offs of Becoming an Independent Blockchain
Moving to layer 1 could give Starknet more direct control over cryptographic upgrades, but it would also change its security responsibilities. A network that no longer relies on Ethereum in the same way would need to maintain and secure its own base-layer infrastructure.
The transition could also have consequences for existing applications, users, liquidity and integrations. Starknet has not yet detailed how these elements would be handled if it pursued the change, so the practical effects remain uncertain.
For now, the project has announced that it is actively evaluating the idea, while maintaining a target of full quantum resistance by 2027. The key developments to watch are a formal decision on the L1 proposal, further technical details about the quantum-safety roadmap and the upgrades required to reach that goal.
