Quantum

Starknet

Ethereum

<p>Starknet (<a href="https://x.com/Starknet" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@Starknet</a>) <a href="https://x.com/search?q=%24STRK&amp;src=cashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$STRK</a> holders are voting on whether the network should explore becoming an independent Layer 1 to strengthen its security against quantum threats. The goal is to give the network more control over its own security as quantum computing advances.</p>
<p>If the poll passes, more proposals and votes will follow, according to StarkWare, the developer behind Starknet. Some 282 million STRK tokens had already been cast, and 99.94% supported the proposal, based on Snapshot data.</p>
<h2 id="what-the-vote-can-and-cannot-do">What the vote can and cannot do</h2>
<p>The poll is non-binding and does not approve a move away from Ethereum. <a href="https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-10-15-starknet-opens-seven-day-vote-on-independent-layer-1-over-quantum-risks-418673" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Block reported</a> that a "Yes" outcome would trigger research and further proposals, not a transition, while a "No" would leave Starknet's post-quantum work on its existing Layer 2 path.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://unchainedcrypto.com/starknet-opens-its-first-vote-on-becoming-an-independent-post-quantum-layer-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Unchained</a>, the Snapshot poll opened on Oct. 15 and closes on Oct. 22. Voters can choose to back research, oppose it, or stay neutral pending more information. Any future decision to proceed would be subject to a dedicated governance process, the proposal states. Staking or delegating STRK is required to vote.</p>
<p>Two things stay the same under any outcome. Per the Starknet Foundation's forum post, as reported by Unchained, STRK remains the token with no new token planned, and bridges from Ethereum into Starknet stay open.</p>
<h2 id="why-quantum-risk-is-driving-the-proposal">Why quantum risk is driving the proposal</h2>
<p>Starknet currently operates as an Ethereum Layer 2. The Block reported that it already uses hash-based STARK proofs and that its accounts can adopt post-quantum signatures without a protocol upgrade. However, its bridge to Ethereum and its data availability arrangements remain tied to Ethereum's infrastructure and upgrade timeline, according to the proposal.</p>
<p>That dependency is the core of the argument for an independent chain. <a href="https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/10/15/starknet-puts-ethereum-l2-future-to-community-poll-over-quantum-security/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Crypto Times</a> noted that Ethereum's Layer 1 has been targeting full quantum resistance by the end of 2029, while StarkWare has previously said Starknet could reach it by 2027 if it controlled the relevant components itself.</p>
<p>The vote also drew a market reaction. The Crypto Times reported that STRK rose 15.3% over 24 hours to $0.08867 on Oct. 15, according to CoinGecko data. No timeline or final Layer 1 design has been announced, so the next steps depend on the result of the poll and the governance rounds that would follow.</p>
<h2 id="sources">Sources</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-10-15-starknet-opens-seven-day-vote-on-independent-layer-1-over-quantum-risks-418673" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Block: Starknet opens seven-day vote on independent Layer 1 over quantum risks</a></p>
<p><a href="https://unchainedcrypto.com/starknet-opens-its-first-vote-on-becoming-an-independent-post-quantum-layer-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Unchained: Starknet opens its first vote on becoming an independent post-quantum Layer 1</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/10/15/starknet-puts-ethereum-l2-future-to-community-poll-over-quantum-security/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Crypto Times: Starknet puts Ethereum L2 future to community poll over quantum security</a></p>

Starknet Holders Back a Potential Quantum Safe Layer 1

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