Starknet L1 research received community backing on October 22, 2026, with 93.52% of voting power supporting an investigation into an independent, post-quantum blockchain. The non-binding result authorizes research, not a departure from Ethereum: Starknet continues to operate as an Ethereum layer-2 network.
Key Takeaways
- The seven-day poll backed research into independence, not an approved network transition.
- The proposal retains STRK as the native token and keeps Ethereum bridges open.
- A joint working group will study the technical requirements before any formal approval.
Table of Contents
- What the Starknet L1 vote actually authorizes
- Why Ethereum dependencies are central to the proposal
- Research findings and a draft whitepaper come next
- Conclusion
What the Starknet L1 vote actually authorizes
The Starknet Foundation’s governance outcome announcement gives StarkWare and the foundation a mandate to examine the technical requirements, trade-offs and implications of becoming an independent layer-1 blockchain. Formal approval would be sought only after the research and design phase concludes.
The poll drew about 3,200 votes. StarkWare said participation was the highest in Starknet’s governance history and that it abstained to leave the decision to the community. The 93.52% result measures voting power, rather than the percentage of individual voters.
For users and developers, the immediate distinction is important: the vote starts a design process without changing the network’s current operating status. A separate binding governance vote would be required for the transition itself.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial exploration announced | October 8, 2026 |
| Poll window | October 15–22, 2026 |
| Support | 93.52% of voting power |
| Current network status | Ethereum layer 2; no L1 transition approved |
| Token plan | Retain STRK; no new token planned |
Why Ethereum dependencies are central to the proposal
StarkWare first raised the potential transition on October 8, citing Starknet’s dependence on Ethereum for parts of its security infrastructure. Although Starknet uses hash-based STARK proofs and programmable accounts that can adopt post-quantum signatures, its bridge and data availability remain tied to Ethereum’s upgrades.
Independence is being explored as a way to remove that timing dependency. It would also require the working group to establish how the proposed network would operate and assess the consequences for users, builders and infrastructure operators.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson has set a 2027 target for making Starknet quantum-resistant. That is a security-development target, not an approved date for an L1 migration. StarkWare has demonstrated experimental quantum-resistant technology on Starknet’s live network, but the technology has not yet undergone a security audit.
Research findings and a draft whitepaper come next
A joint StarkWare–Starknet Foundation working group will publish its findings on the governance forum. If the research supports proceeding, detailed proposals and further community votes will follow.
Ben-Sasson said work on a whitepaper was beginning, with a draft hoped for in November 2026 for public scrutiny. That is an intended publication window, not a confirmed release date.
The existing proposal sets two boundaries for the exploration: STRK would remain the native token, with no new token planned, and bridges between Ethereum and Starknet would stay open. The research must still turn the broader independence proposal into a detailed technical design.
Conclusion
The next confirmed step is the working group’s research and publication of findings for community review. Until a detailed design receives formal approval, Starknet’s possible independence remains a proposal rather than a scheduled migration.
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