What is Starknet and what is it used for?

Starknet is a layer 2 network that scales Ethereum as a zero-knowledge rollup, which Starknet's docs call a validity rollup. It runs transactions off Ethereum's main chain, then posts a cryptographic proof to Ethereum showing they were processed correctly. Developed by StarkWare, its mainnet launched in November 2021. For the basics, see our guides to rollups and layer 2 networks.

What does Starknet do?

Starknet groups many transactions together and proves them with STARK proofs, a type of zero-knowledge proof. Its docs explain that proofs are aggregated by a system called SHARP and checked on Ethereum, so Ethereum does not have to re-run every transaction. Compressed changes to Starknet's state are also published to Ethereum, so anyone can rebuild and verify the full state.

Apps on Starknet are written in Cairo, a Rust-inspired language designed so that programs can be proven correct. This differs from networks that copy the Ethereum Virtual Machine directly.

What is Starknet used for?

Starknet hosts apps for decentralized finance, stablecoin transfers and onchain games, the kind of trustless use the Cairo team highlights. Because one proof covers many transactions, the cost of settling on Ethereum is shared. Assets move in from Ethereum through bridges such as StarkGate.

A notable feature is native account abstraction. Every Starknet account is a smart contract, which the docs say makes multisig setups, session keys and passkey logins possible without changes to the protocol.

What is Starknet's STRK token?

STRK is the native token. Starknet's docs say it pays transaction fees and is staked to help secure the network. Holders can also vote on governance after wrapping STRK into vSTRK at a 1 to 1 rate. The Starknet Foundation's FAQ says 1.8 billion STRK equals 18% of supply, which points to a total of about 10 billion. The token became claimable on February 20, 2024, with about 1.3 million eligible addresses, The Defiant reported.

Staking is rolling out in four phases, and as of October 2026 the docs say the network is in phase two, where validators attest to blocks. Validators need at least 20,000 STRK, and unstaking has a seven-day waiting period. In August 2025 the community approved a proposal to let certain wrapped bitcoin tokens be staked too, capped at 25% of consensus power, The Block reported. The docs also say the network is still centralized and is handing block production to validators step by step.

What is the Starknet Foundation?

The Starknet Foundation is an independent not-for-profit set up to advance Starknet as a public good. According to its FAQ, it received 50.1% of the initial STRK supply and is the only body that runs official STRK distributions. It warns that anyone claiming to run a separate distribution is running a scam.