Starknet, an Ethereum layer-2 network, has launched a seven-day governance vote asking STRK token holders whether the network should explore becoming an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain. The poll, which opened Thursday and closes October 22, offers three options: support further research, oppose it, or remain neutral.
A "Yes" vote would signal support for additional research only and would not authorize an immediate transition. StarkWare, the developer behind Starknet, noted that further proposals and governance votes would be required before any move to layer-1 status occurs. No timeline for such a transition has been announced.
StarkWare identified quantum security as the driving motivation for the proposal. The network currently relies on Ethereum for infrastructure including its bridge and data availability, which the developer described as remaining quantum-security dependencies. By operating as an independent layer-1, Starknet could pursue quantum-resistant upgrades without depending on Ethereum's upgrade schedule.
"Quantum-proofing crypto is urgent, so we must move at lightning speed," StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson told Cointelegraph, contrasting the timeline with what he characterized as slower progress at Ethereum and Bitcoin.
StarkWare had hinted at the proposal in separate posts on October 8, framing a potential transition as a path to become "the first fully quantum-resistant network" by 2027. In June, the developer unveiled a three-phase quantum-resistance roadmap for Starknet covering signature upgrades, smart-contract migration, and Ethereum-dependent infrastructure.
Ethereum developers established a dedicated post-quantum team in March, with the goal of introducing initial protocol-level protections by 2029.
