Starknet Weighs Leaving Ethereum for a Quantum-Resistant Layer 1 Network

Starknet is exploring a standalone Layer 1 architecture targeting quantum resilience by 2027, even as Ethereum-backed security features are kept within its long-term strategy.

Starknet’s STRK token surged over 100% within a week as developers weighed departing Ethereum to construct a standalone Layer 1 network.

A CoinGlass snapshot reviewed at 20:28 UTC on Oct. 11 listed STRK at $0.1190, marking a 17.7% gain over 24 hours and a 116.7% rally across seven days.

On Oct. 8, Starknet revealed it was actively weighing a transition to a standalone L1, setting a 2027 goal to launch what team members described as the first fully quantum-resistant network. This shift would replace its reliance on Ethereum’s underlying security framework.

Starknet Weighs Ethereum Independence to Speed Up Quantum Protection#

StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson framed the potential shift as a direct response to mounting fears that breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and quantum computing could see traditional blockchain cryptography compromised.

In an X post, Ben-Sasson argued that quantum risks could materialize much faster than anticipated, noting that rapidly advancing AI added urgency to protective measures. The discussion stems from recent AI-driven breakthroughs achieved in mathematical research.

His reasoning focuses on preparing for a cryptographically capable quantum computer rather than proving that AI can currently shatter active blockchain signatures.

Starknet’s ZK-STARK proof mechanism hinges on hash-based cryptographic models rather than the elliptic-curve systems that quantum computers could eventually compromise.

The network also supports programmable accounts, enabling users to implement alternative signing models without needing a chain-wide upgrade.

In June, StarkWare unveiled a three-phase roadmap addressing vulnerable hashing routines, legacy smart contracts, and security dependencies tied to Ethereum. While the team controls the initial two stages, progress on the third hinges entirely on Ethereum’s own upgrade timeline.

Starknet presently functions as an Ethereum Layer 2, batching transactions off-chain while depending on Ethereum for settlement and data availability. Consequently, its bridge setup and Ethereum-anchored data commitments remain subject to external cryptographic risks that lie beyond Starknet’s direct control.

In September, the Protocol team under the Ethereum Foundation established a December 2029 deadline to achieve quantum resistance across Ethereum’s execution, consensus, and data architecture.

An independent Starknet would require a dedicated security and settlement framework to replace the assurances offered by Ethereum. Rather than signaling a finalized migration schedule, the Oct. 8 update merely reflects ongoing discussions and a target date for quantum readiness.

STRK Futures Trading Volume Hits $3.5 Billion in 24 Hours#

Within that same Oct. 11 snapshot, CoinGlass figures indicated roughly $258.5 million in futures open interest alongside $3.5 billion in 24-hour futures volume. The platform also logged nearly $14.8 million in total futures liquidations across the 24-hour period.

CoinMarketCap figures reviewed on Oct. 11 reflected roughly $720 million in daily trading activity against a market capitalization hovering near $892 million.

The price surge arrives just ahead of an upcoming Oct. 15 token release. While Tokenomist metrics confirm the release date, Starknet’s public vesting terms permit up to 127 million STRK to be unlocked monthly for early backers and core developers through March 2027.

Based on the Oct. 11 CoinGlass price, that maximum tranche would total roughly $15.1 million, representing 1.27% of Starknet’s initial 10 billion-token supply. While the unlock allows previously restricted tokens to be traded, it does not dictate how many recipients will actually liquidate their holdings.