Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Starknet is considering a transition into an independent layer-1 blockchain to achieve full quantum resistance by 2027. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that operating as an independent layer 1 would allow Starknet to control its security upgrades directly rather than waiting for Ethereum's projected 2029 post-quantum timeline. Following the announcement on October 8, 2026, Starknet's STRK token surged up to 40% to a nine-month high of $0.073, alongside a 50% increase in futures open interest and $33.7 million in daily decentralized exchange trading volume.
Starknet's proposed layer-1 transition
- ▪StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated at the Token2049 conference that Starknet's transitioning to a layer 1 would give Starknet direct control over its own consensus, security model, and cryptographic upgrades
- ▪Starknet announced on October 8, 2026 that it is actively considering transitioning from an Ethereum layer-2 scaling network to an independent layer-1 blockchain
- ▪Any transition of Starknet to an independent layer 1 would require governance approval, technical design work, and an independent validator setup to secure the network
STRK token rally and network activity
- ▪Daily trading volume on Starknet decentralized exchanges reached approximately $33.7 million, while daily network fees climbed to around $13,685 on October 8, 2026
- ▪Starknet's STRK token rallied between 19% and 40% across October 8-9, 2026, reaching roughly $0.07 to $0.073, its highest level in nine months
- ▪Futures open interest on Starknet's STRK token increased by over 50% following the layer-1 transition proposal
Ethereum's post-quantum timeline and constraints
- ▪The Ethereum Foundation established a dedicated post-quantum research team in January 2026, with researcher Justin Drake noting accelerating development timelines
- ▪Ethereum's official roadmap targets core post-quantum infrastructure implementation around 2029
- ▪StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that because Starknet relies on Ethereum's base layer security, Starknet's quantum safety is constrained by Ethereum's upgrade schedule
- ▪As an Ethereum layer 2, Starknet bundles transactions and relies on the underlying Ethereum base layer for security validation
Starknet's quantum resistance plans
- ▪Starknet's cryptographic proofs rely on hash functions, which are considered essential quantum-resistant building blocks, though Starknet outlined plans on June 30, 2026 to replace remaining elliptic-curve components
- ▪Starknet targets 2027 to become the first fully quantum-resistant blockchain network if it transitions to a layer-1 chain
- ▪StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson warned on October 8, 2026 that quantum computing threats to elliptic-curve cryptography and advancing AI capabilities call for urgent blockchain defenses
Debatable claims
- ▪Starknet should transition from an Ethereum layer 2 to an independent layer 1
- ▪Quantum computing poses an immediate threat to existing blockchain cryptography
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