Starknet

Introduction to Starknet

Starknet is a validity rollup (ZK rollup) using STARK proofs to scale Ethereum. Built by StarkWare, the company that pioneered practical ZK-rollup technology, Starknet provides general-purpose smart contract functionality with the security guarantees of zero-knowledge proofs.

Founded by Eli Ben-Sasson (co-inventor of STARKs) and Uri Kolodny, StarkWare has been central to ZK technology development. Starknet represents their vision for a permissionless, general-purpose Layer 2 using their proprietary Cairo programming language.

STARK Technology

What Are STARKs

Cryptographic innovation:

• Scalable Transparent ARguments of Knowledge
• No trusted setup required
• Post-quantum secure
• Invented by StarkWare team

STARKs vs. SNARKs

Aspect	STARKs	SNARKs
Trusted Setup	None	Required
Proof Size	Larger	Smaller
Quantum Resistant	Yes	No
Verification	Fast	Fast

Why STARKs for Scaling

Benefits:

• No ceremony needed
• Future-proof security
• Scalable verification
• Transparent assumptions

How Starknet Works

Rollup Architecture

Layer 2 design:

• Transactions on Starknet
• STARK proofs generated
• Proofs verified on Ethereum
• State finalized on L1

Cairo Programming

Smart contract language:

• Purpose-built for STARKs
• Provable computation
• High-level syntax
• Unique paradigm

Sequencer and Prover

Network operation:

• Sequencer orders transactions
• Prover generates STARK proofs
• Ethereum verifies proofs
• Decentralization planned

Technical Specifications

Metric	Value
Type	Validity Rollup
Proof System	STARKs
Language	Cairo
Security	Ethereum L1
Token	STRK
EVM Compatible	No (native Cairo)

The STRK Token

Launch and Airdrop

Token introduction:

• February 2024 launch
• Large community airdrop
• Provisions distribution
• Ecosystem allocation

Utility

STRK serves multiple purposes:

• Gas Fees: Transaction payment
• Staking: Network participation
• Governance: Protocol decisions
• Ecosystem: Development incentives

Tokenomics

Distribution:

• Community provisions
• Core contributors
• Investors
• Foundation reserve

Cairo: The Native Language

Why Not EVM?

Design choice:

• Optimized for STARKs
• Better proving efficiency
• Different computation model
• Purpose-built benefits

Cairo Language

Programming paradigm:

• Functional style
• Memory model
• Felt arithmetic
• Provable by design

Developer Experience

Building on Cairo:

• Learning curve
• Growing tooling
• Documentation improvement
• Ecosystem support

Account Abstraction

Native feature:

• Built into protocol
• Flexible authentication
• Smart accounts default
• UX benefits

Ecosystem Development

DeFi Protocols

Financial applications:

• JediSwap: AMM DEX
• zkLend: Lending protocol
• Nostra: DeFi suite
• Growing ecosystem

Gaming

Entertainment focus:

• On-chain gaming
• Realms/Loot ecosystem
• Provable game logic
• Novel experiences

Infrastructure

Developer tools:

• Starkli CLI
• Scarb package manager
• Devnets
• Explorer tools

Competition and Positioning

vs. zkEVMs

Aspect	Starknet	zkEVM
Compatibility	Cairo native	EVM bytecode
Proof Type	STARK	SNARK
Migration	Rewrite needed	Deploy existing
Optimization	Native design	Compatibility trade-offs

vs. Other L2s

L2	Type	Language
Starknet	Validity (STARK)	Cairo
zkSync Era	Validity (SNARK)	Solidity
Arbitrum	Optimistic	Solidity
Optimism	Optimistic	Solidity

Differentiation

Key advantages:

• STARK proof technology
• Account abstraction native
• Purpose-built design
• StarkWare expertise

Challenges and Criticism

No EVM Compatibility

Adoption barrier:

• Cannot deploy Solidity
• Developer relearning
• Ecosystem fragmentation
• Migration friction

Decentralization

Current state:

• Centralized sequencer
• Single prover
• Foundation control
• Roadmap for decentralization

Developer Adoption

Ecosystem challenge:

• Cairo learning curve
• Smaller developer pool
• Tooling maturity
• Ecosystem size

Token Distribution

Community concerns:

• Allocation debates
• Vesting schedules
• Airdrop eligibility
• Distribution fairness

Recent Developments

STRK Launch

Major milestone:

• Token live
• Governance beginning
• Staking upcoming
• Ecosystem catalyst

Cairo Improvements

Language evolution:

• Cairo 1.0 improvements
• Better developer experience
• Syntax enhancements
• Tooling growth

Performance

Technical progress:

• Throughput improvements
• Cost reductions
• Proving efficiency
• Network stability

Future Roadmap

Development priorities:

• Decentralization: Sequencer and prover
• Performance: Throughput scaling
• Developer Tools: Cairo ecosystem
• Ecosystem: Protocol growth
• Staking: STRK utility

Conclusion

Starknet represents a distinct technical approach to Ethereum scaling, using STARK proofs with a purpose-built programming language. The lack of EVM compatibility is a deliberate trade-off for optimal proving efficiency and native account abstraction.

The StarkWare team’s deep expertise in ZK technology provides technical credibility, while the Cairo ecosystem continues to mature. Success requires attracting developers willing to learn a new paradigm.

For developers interested in cutting-edge ZK technology and for users valuing STARK’s security properties, Starknet offers differentiated infrastructure. Long-term success depends on ecosystem growth and proving that Cairo’s advantages outweigh EVM compatibility trade-offs.