Starknet announced plans to transition from Ethereum L2 to independent L1, targeting quantum resistance by 2027, driving 20% token price jump.
Tech & Launches ·
Starknet announced it is "actively considering" transitioning from an Ethereum layer-2 to an independent layer-1 blockchain, targeting 2027 as the date to become the first fully quantum-resistant network. The STRK token jumped approximately 20% within 24 hours following the announcement, trading near $0.073 and more than doubling from its roughly $0.03 price in April.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson framed the shift around quantum computing risks and AI acceleration in mathematics, arguing that Starknet's current dependence on Ethereum for security limits its ability to move quickly on post-quantum upgrades. As an L2, Starknet can only be as quantum-safe as Ethereum's base layer, which targets core post-quantum infrastructure around 2029. Becoming an independent L1 would grant Starknet control over its own security roadmap rather than waiting for Ethereum or Bitcoin to implement quantum-resistant measures.
The move raises open questions around technical execution and user migration. The statement does not specify how existing applications and users would transition to an L1 structure, nor does it address the operational complexity of managing an independent blockchain—particularly given that Ethereum remains the second-largest active project in crypto after Bitcoin.