Starknet’s post-quantum L1 research wins 93.52% backing — but the paperwork starts now 🛸

Starknet’s community voted to support research into an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain, with 93.52% of voting power backing the proposal in a seven-day, non-binding governance poll that closed Thursday. About 3,200 votes were cast, the highest participation in Starknet’s governance history, while StarkWare abstained to leave the decision to the community. The result allows StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation to proceed with research, but an actual shift would require a separate, binding governance vote.

Starknet will continue operating as an Ethereum layer-2 network for now. “We’re beginning work on a whitepaper even before we start the weekend, and hope to release a draft for public scrutiny in November,” StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson told Cointelegraph. StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation have established a working group to examine the proposed transition and develop more detailed technical proposals.

The governance proposal states that STRK will remain the network’s native token, with no new token planned, and that existing bridges between Starknet and Ethereum will remain open. StarkWare first raised the potential transition on Oct. 8, citing concerns about the network’s dependence on Ethereum for security.

Although Starknet uses hash-based STARK proofs and supports programmable accounts capable of adopting post-quantum signatures, its bridge and data availability infrastructure remain dependent on Ethereum’s upgrade timeline. In June, StarkWare unveiled a three-phase quantum-resistance roadmap covering cryptographic upgrades, smart-contract migration and Ethereum-dependent infrastructure.

StarkWare’s Quantum Hub says it has already tested technology designed to withstand future quantum attacks, successfully processing a transaction on Starknet’s live network. The technology remains experimental and has not yet undergone a security audit. Ben-Sasson has set a 2027 target for making Starknet quantum-resistant, ahead of Ethereum’s projected timeline. “Ethereum’s target of 2029 to become quantum-safe is too late, and deadlines slip,” he said.