Starknet’s community has voted overwhelmingly to support research into turning the Ethereum-based network into an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain, although the network’s immediate status will not change.
Vote opens the door to a possible departure from Ethereum
A seven-day, non-binding governance poll closed Thursday with about 3,200 votes. Voting power supporting the proposed transition reached 93.52%, making it the most heavily participated governance vote in Starknet’s history, according to StarkWare.
StarkWare did not vote in the poll, saying it wanted the community to make the decision. The result authorizes StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation to investigate the technical and operational requirements of an independent layer-1 network. A layer-1 blockchain operates as its own base network, while Starknet currently functions as a layer-2 network that relies on Ethereum.
The vote does not itself approve a switch. Any actual transition would need to be put to the community in a separate, binding governance vote. Until then, Starknet will continue operating as an Ethereum layer 2. The reporting was published by Cointelegraph.
Whitepaper and quantum-resistance work planned
StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation have created a working group to study the proposal and prepare more detailed technical plans. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson told Cointelegraph that work on a draft whitepaper has begun, with a public draft expected in November.
The proposal says STRK would remain Starknet’s native token and that no replacement token is planned. Existing bridges linking Starknet with Ethereum would also remain open under the proposed design.
StarkWare first raised the possibility of leaving Ethereum on Oct. 8. The company cited Starknet’s reliance on Ethereum for security, as well as dependence on Ethereum’s upgrade schedule for bridge and data-availability infrastructure. Data availability refers to ensuring that the information needed to verify and reconstruct blockchain activity remains accessible.
Starknet already uses hash-based STARK proofs and programmable accounts that can support post-quantum signatures. StarkWare’s three-phase roadmap, announced in June, covers cryptographic upgrades, smart-contract migration and infrastructure that currently depends on Ethereum.
Experimental technology and 2027 target
StarkWare’s Quantum Hub says it has tested technology intended to withstand future quantum attacks by processing a transaction on Starknet’s live network. The technology is still experimental and has not yet received a security audit.
Ben-Sasson has set a 2027 target for making Starknet quantum-resistant, ahead of Ethereum’s projected 2029 timeline. The proposed independent chain would therefore address both the network’s long-term cryptographic concerns and its reliance on Ethereum, but the technical design remains under research.
Market picture
Moneyiar market data at 23:14 on Oct. 22, 2026, showed Ethereum at $2,381.5323116815, down 3.97% over 24 hours and 2.37% over seven days. Shiba Inu was $0.0000049405, down 4.35% in 24 hours and 3.35% over seven days. Uniswap stood at $6.9931144676, down 6.55% and 5.53% over those periods, respectively. Pepe was $0.0000043791, down 5.92% in 24 hours but up 7.14% over seven days.
