Key Takeaways
- On February 20th, 2024, Starknet launched its native token, STRK.
- Built on top of Ethereum as a Layer-2 network, Starknet (STRK) aims to address Ethereum’s scalability limitations.
- It utilizes STARK technology, a type of cryptographic proof system, for validating transactions off-chain while maintaining Ethereum’s security, allowing for unlimited scalability.
What Is Starknet (STRK)?
Starknet (STRK) is a permissionless, decentralized scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. It aims to address the limitations of Ethereum, such as slow transaction processing times and high fees while maintaining its security and decentralization. The project is being developed by StarkWare Industries, a company founded by Uri Kolodny and Eli Ben-Sasson.
The project’s recent initial token distribution was criticized for being unfair, with a large portion of tokens being allocated to the development team and early investors. Additionally, the launch process was complex and not well-communicated, which frustrated some airdrop hunters. Despite the controversy, Starknet is a promising technology that has the potential to significantly improve the scalability of the Ethereum blockchain.
How Does Starknet (STRK) Work?
Starknet is a layer-2 scaling solution for the Ethereum network, aiming to address Ethereum’s limitations in scalability while maintaining its security and decentralization. Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works:
Technology
- Validity Rollup: Starknet utilizes a “Validity Rollup” approach, also known as a ZK-Rollup. This involves bundling multiple transactions off-chain, generating a cryptographic proof of their validity, and submitting it back to the Ethereum mainnet for final settlement. This significantly reduces the computational burden on the main chain, enabling faster and cheaper transactions.
- STARK Proofs: Starknet leverages STARK technology, a powerful cryptographic system, to generate these validity proofs. STARK proofs are concise and verifiable, allowing for efficient verification on the Ethereum mainnet.
Additional Features
Starknet accounts are essentially smart contracts, allowing developers to define custom logic and behavior, offering greater flexibility and security compared to traditional Ethereum accounts. Additionally, developers leverage Cairo, a programming language specifically designed for writing secure and efficient smart contracts on Starknet.
Benefits
By processing transactions off-chain, Starknet offers significant advantages:
- Increased scalability – This enables handling a much higher volume of transactions compared to the Ethereum mainnet.
- Lower transaction fees – Reduced strain on the network leads to lower transaction fees for users.
- Security – Leverages Ethereum’s security by relying on the mainnet for final settlement and dispute resolution.
Starknet (STRK) Token And Tokenomics
Tokenomics
Here’s a breakdown of the key points about STRK and its tokenomics:
- Governance: STRK serves as the native token of the Starknet network. Holders can participate in governance by voting on proposals to upgrade the network or modify its parameters.
- Staking: STRK is also used for staking, a process that incentivizes users to contribute to the security and operation of the network. Stakers are rewarded with STRK tokens for their participation.
- Future Utility: While transaction fees on Starknet are currently paid in ETH, there are plans to introduce the ability to pay fees using STRK in the future.
Token Details
Total Supply 10,000,000,000 STRK
Circulating Supply 728,000,000 STRK
Current Price $2.45
Market Capitalization $1,784,037,216
This information is current as of March 12th, 2024. Please note that the token’s price, market value, and available supply may fluctuate.
Distribution
- Core Contributors (32.9%) – This includes StarkWare team members, early contributors, and StarkNet software developer partners. These tokens are subject to a lock-up schedule, but details are not publicly available.
- StarkWare Investors (17%) – These tokens are subject to a one-year cliff that expired on April 15, 2024, with a linear release over four years thereafter.
- Starknet Foundation (50.1%) – This portion is allocated for various purposes:
- Community Provisions (9%) – Distributed to those who contributed to StarkNet’s development or powered its technology, like past StarkEx users (before June 1, 2022). Over 700 million STRK were distributed in the first round on February 20, 2024, to nearly 1.3 million wallets. This represents 7% of the total supply.
- Community Rebates (9%) – Planned future rebates to partially cover costs of onboarding to StarkNet from Ethereum. Details are yet to be announced.
- Grants (12%) – Used to fund research and development related to StarkNet.
- Strategic Reserve (10%) – Used to support ecosystem activities aligned with the Starknet Foundation’s mission.
- Donations (2%) – Used for charitable purposes.
Future Distribution
The remaining 8.1% is unallocated and could be used for future distributions. Vesting schedules apply to tokens allocated to Core Contributors and Investors, with details available in the Starknet documentation.
Additional Details
The first round of the Community Provisions program distributed over 700 million STRK to nearly 1.3 million addresses in February 2024. More details on future distributions, including Community Rebates, are expected to be shared by the Starknet Foundation.
Where Can I Buy Starknet (STRK)?
- Binance: Another major exchange with a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Binance offers multiple ways to buy crypto, including using credit cards, debit cards, and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.
- Bybit: This exchange is known for its derivatives and margin trading features, but you can also use the platform for spot trading.
- KuCoin: A smaller exchange is known for its competitive fees and support for a large number of cryptocurrencies.
Still struggling to find STRK? Head over to CoinMarketCap, search for “Starknet (STRK),” and explore the “Markets” tab. This will reveal a list of exchanges where the token is actively traded, allowing you to compare options and find the one that best suits your preferences.
Is Starknet (STRK) A Good Investment?
Whether Starknet (STRK) is a good investment for you will heavily depend on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Here’s a quick overview:
Pros:
- Scalability breakthrough – Starknet utilizes zk-Rollups, a technology that significantly improves transaction speed and reduces costs compared to the Ethereum mainnet. This allows for faster and cheaper transactions, making it a more user-friendly and scalable platform.
- Versatility – Unlike some specialized Layer-2 solutions, Starknet aims to be a general-purpose platform capable of supporting a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps) and functionalities. This broadens its potential applications and user base.
- Staking Rewards – STRK token holders can participate in staking, which involves locking up their tokens to help secure the network and earn rewards in return.
Cons:
- Early stage – As it’s still in its alpha phase, Starknet faces technical challenges and potential security risks that are inherent to any new technology. These uncertainties could pose hurdles to adoption and widespread use.
- Competition – The field of Ethereum scaling solutions is crowded, with numerous contenders vying for dominance. This competition makes it difficult for Starknet to stand out and gain significant market share.
- User experience – Currently, integrating with Starknet requires more technical knowledge compared to other platforms. This can hinder mainstream adoption, as it poses a barrier for users who are not familiar with the technical aspects of blockchain technology.
Ultimately, investing in this asset class is inherently risky. Do your research, understand the risks, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Final Thoughts
Starknet presents a promising solution to the scalability challenges faced by the Ethereum network. Its zk-Rollup technology offers significant potential for faster and cheaper transactions, attracting both users and developers seeking a more efficient and scalable platform.
However, investing in this asset class carries inherent risks. Before making any investment decisions, thoroughly research the project, understand the associated risks, and never invest beyond your financial capabilities.
