What Is Starknet (STRK)? Ethereum’s Zero-Knowledge Scaling Solution

LeeMaimai

/Oct 24, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Starknet utilizes zk-STARKs to bundle transactions off-chain, enhancing scalability and reducing costs.

• The native token STRK is essential for governance and the sustainability of the Starknet protocol.

• Users can bridge assets to Starknet and explore various decentralized applications across DeFi and gaming.

• EIP-4844 is set to lower data costs further, benefiting Starknet's performance.

• Developers can build using Cairo, Starknet's programming language optimized for provable computation.

Starknet is a Layer 2 network built on Ethereum that uses zero-knowledge proofs—specifically zk‑STARKs—to dramatically increase throughput and reduce transaction costs while inheriting Ethereum’s security. Its native token, STRK, powers network governance and the long-term sustainability of the protocol. For users and developers looking to build high‑performance applications without compromising on decentralization, Starknet represents one of the most mature zk‑rollup architectures available today.

In this guide, we unpack how Starknet works, what STRK is used for, the latest ecosystem developments, and practical tips to get started.

The Starknet Model: ZK‑Rollups Anchored to Ethereum

ZK‑rollups bundle many transactions off‑chain and submit a succinct proof back to Ethereum—verifying that all batched state transitions are valid without revealing their full contents. This architecture reduces data posted on L1 while maintaining strong security guarantees. For a deeper overview of rollups on Ethereum and why they matter, see the developer documentation on rollups from Ethereum.org (anchored to validity proofs and data availability) at the end of this section.

Key components of Starknet’s design:

zk‑STARKs: A transparency-friendly proof system designed for scalability and post‑quantum resilience. zk‑STARKs avoid trusted setup and are optimized for high throughput verification. For a background on rollups and their security model, Vitalik Buterin’s overview of rollups provides useful context. Refer to Ethereum’s rollups documentation and Vitalik’s analysis for foundational reading:
- Ethereum rollups overview on Ethereum.org
- Vitalik’s blog post on rollups and scaling trade‑offs
Cairo: Starknet’s native programming language optimized for proving computation efficiently. Developers write contracts in Cairo, which compile to provable circuits. Start with the Cairo repository and Starknet documentation to understand the developer workflow:
- Cairo language on GitHub
- Starknet docs

Relevant references:

Explore rollups on Ethereum.org: Ethereum rollups documentation
Vitalik Buterin on rollups: Rollup-centric roadmap
Cairo developer resources: Cairo GitHub, Starknet docs

How Starknet Works in Practice

Sequencing and Proofs: Transactions are sequenced on Starknet, executed in Cairo, and bundled into a batch. A zk‑STARK proof attesting to the correctness of the batch is then verified on Ethereum.
Data Availability: Transaction data is posted to Ethereum so that anyone can reconstruct state. The advent of EIP‑4844 (proto‑danksharding) in 2024 lowered L2 data costs and continues to benefit networks like Starknet. Learn about EIP‑4844 and how it reduces L2 fees here: EIP‑4844.
Account Abstraction by Default: Starknet uses smart accounts natively, enabling features like programmable multi‑sig, session keys, and customized spending policies. To understand account abstraction at a broader Ethereum level, see EIP‑4337. Starknet’s architecture pushes this model further by making it the default.

What Is STRK?

STRK is the native token of Starknet used for governance and the network’s long‑term sustainability. In early 2024, the Starknet Foundation began distributing STRK through the Provisions program to eligible community participants. The Foundation continues to steer governance and ecosystem support as adoption grows, with ongoing updates visible through official channels.

References:

Starknet Foundation Provisions: Provisions program

Use cases frequently discussed for STRK include:

Governance: Participating in decisions affecting protocol parameters and roadmap.
Protocol sustainability: Covering costs tied to proving and infrastructure over the long run.
Potential fee payment: Some L2s evolve toward fee payments in their native token, subject to governance and implementation milestones. Always verify current fee mechanics via official docs.

Note: Availability, token utility specifics, and governance processes evolve—always rely on official sources before making decisions.

Why Starknet Matters

Security Anchored to Ethereum: Validity proofs and Ethereum’s data availability minimize trust assumptions compared to sidechains or loosely coupled systems. See the security design trade‑offs on Ethereum.org: Bridges and L2 security.
Performance and Cost: zk‑STARKs enable high throughput with fast finality on L2, while EIP‑4844 continues to compress data costs.
Developer Experience: Cairo is purpose‑built for provable computation. Tooling, SDKs, and open‑source resources are improving rapidly.
Native Account Abstraction: UX‑centric features are standard, not bolt‑ons.

Ecosystem Growth and 2025 Developments

Starknet’s ecosystem includes DeFi, gaming, and middleware projects, with new integrations shipping regularly. Notable points for users tracking the latest:

Lower Fees Post‑EIP‑4844: Continued improvements in data availability markets support cheaper L2 transactions, benefiting proof‑based rollups like Starknet. Reference: EIP‑4844.
Oracle Integrations: Oracle feeds and middleware keep expanding on Starknet. For example, Chainlink announced support for price feeds on Starknet, broadening DeFi readiness and market data reliability: Chainlink price feeds on Starknet.
Ecosystem Directory: Explore projects and tooling via the official Starknet ecosystem page to find wallets, bridges, DeFi protocols, and infra partners: Starknet ecosystem.
Network Metrics: To monitor TVL, throughput, and risk frameworks for Starknet alongside other L2s, check L2Beat’s project dashboard: Starknet on L2Beat.

While decentralization of sequencing and further performance milestones are active areas of work, timelines and specifics may change. Follow official releases and community governance updates for authenticated news.

How to Get Started as a User

Fund Your L1 Wallet with ETH: You’ll need ETH on Ethereum to pay bridge and transaction fees.
Bridge to Starknet: Use the official StarkGate to move assets from Ethereum L1 to Starknet L2. Always verify domains and contract addresses. Start here: StarkGate Bridge.
Use a Compatible Smart Account: Starknet uses smart accounts by default. Confirm that your chosen wallet supports Starknet’s account model and the dApps you intend to use.
Explore dApps: DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure tools are listed on the ecosystem page: Starknet ecosystem.

Security tips:

Verify all dApp URLs and contracts.
Use hardware‑backed signing where possible.
Be careful with approvals and session keys.
Understand bridge risks and withdraw paths; consult Ethereum.org’s bridge overview for context: Bridges on Ethereum.

For Developers: Build with Cairo and Starknet

Learn Cairo: Cairo is the core language for Starknet contracts; it’s optimized for provable computation. Start with the official repositories and documentation: Cairo GitHub.
Read Starknet Docs: Architecture, accounts, tooling, and best practices are covered extensively: Starknet documentation.
Follow Roadmap and Governance: As sequencing and proving pipelines evolve, keep an eye on Foundation updates and developer forums for breaking changes and performance upgrades: Starknet Foundation.

Risks and Considerations

Sequencer Decentralization: Many L2s are still working toward fully decentralized sequencing; monitor governance updates.
Language and Tooling Differences: Cairo is distinct from Solidity/EVM, so migration requires learning new patterns.
Liquidity and dApp Maturity: Ecosystem growth is robust but uneven across categories; do your own diligence.

Where OneKey Fits

If you fund Starknet from Ethereum L1 or interact with cross‑chain bridges and DeFi, using a hardware wallet helps reduce key‑management risks. OneKey offers:

Cold‑storage security with open‑source firmware and a transparent supply chain.
Multi‑chain support and seamless connections via WalletConnect and browser extension for many dApps.
A unified experience across desktop and mobile for managing ETH and ERC‑20 assets before bridging.

Because Starknet uses native smart accounts and a distinct signing model, always verify wallet compatibility with the specific Starknet dApp or bridge you plan to use. Even when a dApp relies on a software smart account, pairing it with hardware‑backed signing for L1 funding and approvals adds a critical security layer—an area where OneKey is designed to help.

Final Thoughts

Starknet brings zk‑STARKs to Ethereum at scale, combining strong security assumptions with high throughput and a modern account model. With EIP‑4844 lowering data costs and ecosystem integrations expanding in 2025, it’s an opportune moment for users and builders to explore Starknet’s dApps and tooling.

Stay current with official resources and metrics, use trusted bridges like StarkGate, and harden your operational setup with hardware‑backed key management. Whether you’re deploying Cairo contracts or simply bridging ETH to try the latest DeFi protocols, Starknet offers a compelling path to scalable on‑chain experiences anchored to Ethereum’s security.

References and resources: