In an October 22, 2026 non-binding poll, 93.52% of voting power backed researching Starknet's transition from an Ethereum Layer 2 to an independent post-quantum Layer 1 blockchain. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson targets quantum resistance by 2027—ahead of Ethereum's 2029 target—citing L2 dependencies on Ethereum's bridge and data availability. STRK will remain the native token, with a draft whitepaper planned for November 2026 before any binding vote.
Governance poll results and scope
- ▪The October 22, 2026 vote does not authorize an immediate network migration, and any future transition to an independent Layer 1 will require a separate binding community vote.
- ▪In a non-binding Snapshot governance poll that closed October 22, 2026, drawing 3,236 votes representing approximately 489 million STRK, 93.52% supported researching Starknet's transition from Ethereum Layer 2 to an independent Layer 1 blockchain, 4.57% voted against, 1.91% neutral.
- ▪StarkWare abstained from voting in the seven-day Snapshot poll, which marked the highest participation in Starknet's governance history.
Working group and upcoming whitepaper
- ▪StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that the joint working group began drafting a whitepaper on the proposed transition, aiming to release a draft for public review in November 2026.
- ▪The upcoming November whitepaper will examine technical requirements for consensus, data availability, validator responsibilities, and validator economic security without relying on Ethereum's base layer.
- ▪StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation established a joint working group following the October 22, 2026 vote to evaluate the technical requirements, trade-offs, and architecture of operating Starknet as a standalone blockchain.
Post-quantum security rationale
- ▪Starknet's underlying ZK-STARK technology relies on hash-based cryptography and programmable accounts that allow adopting new signature schemes without a protocol upgrade.
- ▪Starknet aims to achieve full post-quantum security by 2027, two years ahead of Ethereum's projected 2029 target for quantum resistance.
- ▪Starknet relies on Ethereum for bridge messaging and blob data availability using KZG commitments and elliptic-curve cryptography, which StarkWare identified as post-quantum vulnerabilities that cannot upgrade independently while remaining a Layer 2.
Continuity of token and bridges
- ▪STRK will remain the native cryptocurrency for Starknet without any plans to introduce a replacement token under the proposed Layer 1 structure.
- ▪Bridges connecting Ethereum and Starknet will remain operational if Starknet transitions to an independent Layer 1 blockchain.
STRK token price movements
- ▪STRK was down nearly 99% from its peak price of $4.41 set in February 2024.
- ▪Following the vote on October 22, 2026, the price of STRK dropped by approximately 14% to near $0.054, extending its weekly decline to about 29% to 40%.
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