Key highlights:
- Starknet opened a 7-day poll asking STRK holders if it should consider being an independent Layer 1
- A "Yes" result would only start research and detailed proposals for that move, not a migration
- Starknet targets quantum resistance by 2027 while Ethereum's target is the end of 2029
Starknet has asked its community whether it should explore leaving its role as an Ethereum Layer 2 and become an independent Layer 1 blockchain amid the fears surrounding future quantum computers. The vote has been tagged as a temperature check only, which means no final decision will be made using the poll.
Starknet shares new poll amid quantum fears
The governance forum published the proposal after StarkWare, the developer behind Starknet, began discussing the move. The poll would reportedly run on Snapshot for seven days, closing on Oct. 22.
STRK stakers and delegators can vote, and results will be visible when the poll ends. Holders were given three choices on the poll: support further research, oppose the idea, or stay neutral until more is known.
A "Yes" result would mean the team will begin more research and share detailed proposals. A "No" result would keep post-quantum work on the Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystem. A "Neutral" result would leave the talks open for more clarification.
Starknet also added that a “Yes” result does not automatically approve a move to a Layer 1. The transition would need more governance proposals and votes. Developers have also not shared a final design for consensus, data availability, bridging, or migration.
The governance post was quite clear on many provisions. STRK would stay the network's native token whether Starknet stays on Ethereum or pivots to a different Layer 1. Bridges between Ethereum and the platform would also stay open. Progress on the stages of the quantum work will be tracked on the project's Quantum Hub.
Quantum security and the Ethereum link
The platform processes transactions on its network while relying on Ethereum for some security and settlement functions. Quantum computers could one day threaten the cryptography used, especially some methods that protect blockchain accounts and approve transactions.
Starknet's protocol uses hash-based STARK proofs and not elliptic-curve cryptography. It also has native account abstraction. Because of this, the parts in its control can get to quantum resistance fairly quickly.
Some parts of that still depend on Ethereum, mainly the bridge and data availability. Their security changes can only change when Ethereum makes an upgrade. StarkWare shared that an independent chain could let Starknet set requirements for these sections without waiting for Ethereum.
StarkWare published a three-phase roadmap in June. It covered signature upgrades, smart contract migration, and the infrastructure that still depends on Ethereum.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson had previously shared that the industry must move quickly, adding that "quantum-proofing crypto is urgent." He said that chains need cryptographic agility and, in some cases, the ability to move as a Layer 1 instead of waiting on another network.
Starknet is aiming for full quantum resistance by 2027. Ethereum, on the other hand, is targeting Layer 1 quantum resistance by the end of 2029. These dates are targets, not guarantees.