Starknet holders overwhelmingly back research into independent post-quantum Layer 1
Starknet tokenholders have voted decisively in favor of researching a transition from an Ethereum Layer 2 to an independent post-quantum Layer 1, clearing the way for a draft whitepaper in November.
Starknet tokenholders have overwhelmingly backed a proposal to explore transitioning the network from an Ethereum Layer 2 rollup into an independent, post-quantum Layer 1 blockchain. In a seven-day non-binding governance poll that closed on Oct. 22, 2026, the option to research the move secured 93.52% of voting power, representing about 457.6 million STRK across 3,236 votes. Roughly 4.57% of voting power opposed the research, while 1.91% selected a neutral stance seeking more information.[2][5]
The vote functions strictly as an authorization for preliminary study rather than approval of an actual network migration. The Starknet Foundation stated on its governance forum that formal approval will still require a dedicated community governance process once research and design phases are complete. StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation are launching a joint working group to evaluate the architecture, with StarkWare targeting a draft whitepaper in November.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The initiative is driven by quantum security timelines. Starknet is targeting full post-quantum resilience by 2027, compared to Ethereum's 2029 target. According to Starknet, operating as a Layer 2 prevents it from finishing the transition independently because its bridge and data availability stay anchored to Ethereum's development roadmap. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson affirmed that any eventual transition to Layer 1 will be submitted to a community vote, adding that STRK will remain the network's token, no new token will be introduced, and Ethereum bridges will stay operational regardless of the outcome.[2][8]
Key facts
- A non-binding Starknet governance poll on researching an independent post-quantum Layer 1 closed on Oct. 22, 2026, with 93.52% of voting power (457.6 million STRK) voting in favor.
- Out of roughly 489 million STRK cast across 3,236 votes, about 4.57% (22.4 million STRK) voted against the research and 1.91% (9.3 million STRK) voted neutral.
- The vote only approves preliminary research and does not authorize a transition to Layer 1, which will require a separate governance vote.
- StarkWare is targeting the release of a draft whitepaper on the potential transition in November.
- Starknet is targeting full post-quantum security by 2027, ahead of Ethereum's 2029 target timeline.
- StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that STRK will remain the network's token, no new token will be issued, and bridges between Ethereum and Starknet will remain open.
Sources · 8 sources
- TB
The BlockArticle ·
Starknet community overwhelmingly backs research into becoming an independent post-quantum Layer 1 Starknet's community backed research into becoming an independent post-quantum Layer 1, with a draft whitepaper expected in November.
Open source - UN
UnchainedArticle ·
Starknet Opens Layer 1 Research After 93.5% Poll Vote, Targets Quantum Safety by 2027 Starknet has started researching whether to stop operating as an Ethereum layer 2 and run as its own blockchain, after a community poll backed the study. The network says it wants full post-quantum security by 2027 , though the vote does not commit it to the switch. The non-binding Snapshot poll closed on Thursday, Oct. 22, after running for seven days. The option “Yes, this should be researched” took 93.52% of the roughly 489 million STRK in voting power cast across 3,236 votes . About 4.6% of voting power chose “No,” and about 1.9% picked the neutral option asking for more information. In a results post on its governance forum, the Starknet Foundation maintained that the vote “does not approve Starknet’s transition to an L1,” and that formal approval would be sought once research and design work is finished. Get Unchained’s crypto news in your inbox with the free Unchained Daily newsletter . What Happens Next According to the Foundation, StarkWare and the Foundation will now run a joint working group and post its findings to the forum. If the work supports moving ahead, detailed proposals would then go back to the community for further votes . The Foundation asked node operators, app builders and STRK holders to reply with the questions they want the research to address. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson wrote on X that “any path to transition to an L1 will be brought to a community vote” and that STRK will stay the network’s token. He called the result “a huge shift and a milestone,” adding that “the AI and quantum challenges ahead require it.” The poll discussion thread also said no new token would be issued and that bridges from Ethereum to Starknet would stay open whatever the outcome. Why Starknet Is Looking at an L1 The Foundation said Starknet “has an architectural head start on post-quantum security,” pointing to proof systems built on hash functions and user accounts that can switch to new signature schemes without a protocol upgrade. In a separate post , Ben-Sasson wrote that ZK-STARKs “were designed with post-quantum security in mind” and that the team “will do the needed work to ensure all of Starknet is post-quantum secure.” The constraint, according to Starknet, is its reliance on Ethereum. Its official account said on X it is “targeting full post-quantum security by 2027,” while Ethereum’s target is 2029 , and that as an L2 it “cannot complete that transition while its bridge and data availability remain tied to Ethereum’s timeline.” Starknet first set the 2027 goal on Oct. 8, when it said it was considering becoming an L1. Ben-Sasson raised the idea the same day in a post on X , writing that “chains need to become future-proofed. And fast.” Two days later, StarkWare said in its own post on X that “Starknet becoming an independent L1 is our clearest path forward.” StarkWare’s three-phase post-quantum roadmap from June 30 had left the bridge and blob data availability tied to Ethereum’s own upgrade, and did not mention an L1. Related Listen: Why People Are Worried AI Could Crack the Math That Secures Every Blockchain The post Starknet Opens Layer 1 Research After 93.5% Poll Vote, Targets Quantum Safety by 2027 appeared first on Unchained .
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: Starknet ethereum:0xca14007eff0db1f8135f4c25b34de49ab0d42766 holders overwhelmingly backed research into transitioning from an Ethereum Layer 2 to an independent, post-quantum Layer 1. More than 93.5% of voting power supported the proposal, with StarkWare targeting a draft whitepaper in November. Further governance approval would be required for the transition.
Open source - LS
Laura Shin@laurashinPost on X ·
A working group from StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation now begins studying an independent Starknet L1. Eli Ben-Sasson says any transition will go to a community vote. https://t.co/yVAnBX4YSu
Open source - WB
Wu Blockchain@WuBlockchainPost on X ·
Over 93.5% of Starknet Voting Power Backs Research into Transitioning to Independent Quantum-Resistant Layer 1 Starknet (STRK) tokenholders have approved a research proposal with over 93.5% of voting power supporting an exploration of transitioning Starknet from an Ethereum Layer 2 into an independent, quantum-resistant Layer 1 network. StarkWare plans to release a draft whitepaper in November. The vote strictly authorizes preliminary research and does not constitute formal approval of the transition, which will remain subject to a dedicated governance approval process moving forward.
Open source - CT
Coin TelegraphArticle ·
Starknet voters back research into life beyond Ethereum StarkWare plans to release a draft whitepaper in November as it explores an independent, quantum-resistant blockchain.
Open source - BS
BSCN@BSCNewsPost on X ·
Starknet holders are all in on Layer 1 transition The @StarkNet $STRK proposal for an independent post-quantum L1 has ended, and the results are mind-blowing. The protocol's token holders voted decisively: - 93.5% voted in favor of conducting the research. - 4.57% voted against the research. - Only 1.91% had a neutral stance. This means the community is pushing for a formal study on transitioning the protocol from a Layer-2 Rollup network to a Layer-1 post-quantum network. This non-binding governance resolution will require the development company, StarkWare Ltd., to submit an architectural whitepaper by November. The whitepaper will detail frameworks that make it independent of any external base-layer cryptography roadmap.
Open source - CB
Crypto Banter@crypto_banterPost on X ·
🚨STARKNET HOLDERS BACK RESEARCH INTO INDEPENDENT POST-QUANTUM L1! ethereum:0xca14007eff0db1f8135f4c25b34de49ab0d42766 holders overwhelmingly supported researching a move from an Ethereum Layer 2 to a standalone post-quantum Layer 1, with more than 93.5% of voting power in favor. The non-binding Snapshot poll greenlights further study only. StarkWare is targeting a draft whitepaper in November, but any actual transition would still need separate governance approval. The push centers on quantum security. While Starknet can harden its own components, its bridge and data availability remain tied to Ethereum’s timeline. An independent L1 would give it control over those upgrades.
Open source