Starknet Lets STRK Holders Vote on Whether to Ghost Ethereum for Quantum Reasons 💔

Starknet has launched a seven-day, non-binding governance poll asking STRK holders whether the Ethereum layer-2 network should explore spinning out as an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain. Voting opened Thursday and closes on Oct. 22, with three options on the table: support further research, oppose the exploration, or remain neutral pending more information. Results will be published after the poll closes, and StarkWare emphasized that a "Yes" vote would only authorize additional research, not a transition. Any actual move to become an L1 would require further proposals, additional governance votes, and currently has no announced timetable.

StarkWare, the developer behind Starknet, framed the proposal as a way to pursue quantum-resistant security without waiting on Ethereum's upgrade schedule. The network currently relies on Ethereum for key infrastructure, including its bridge and data availability, both of which StarkWare identifies as remaining quantum-security dependencies. "Quantum-proofing crypto is urgent, so we must move at lightning speed," StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson told Cointelegraph, contrasting the proposal with what he described as slower progress at Ethereum and Bitcoin.

Both Ben-Sasson and Starknet hinted at the proposal in separate posts on X on Oct. 8, framing it as a path to becoming "the first fully quantum-resistant network" by 2027. In June, StarkWare unveiled a three-phase quantum-resistance roadmap for Starknet, covering signature upgrades, smart-contract migration, and Ethereum-dependent infrastructure. In March, Ethereum developers established a dedicated post-quantum team, with the goal of introducing initial protocol-level protections by 2029.