--- title: "Starknet Community Backs Exploration of Independent Post-Quantum Layer 1" description: "A governance poll approved research into departing Ethereum with 93.5% support, targeting a quantum-resistant standalone network by 2027." url: https://basisdesk.news/news/starknet-governance-post-quantum-layer-1-research-vote published: 2026-10-22T09:46:49.229Z modified: 2026-10-22T09:46:49.229Z section: Tech & Protocols author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified) sentiment: neutral tickers: [STRK, ETH, BTC] tags: [starknet, starkware, layer-1, layer-2, post-quantum, governance] license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice. --- # Starknet Community Backs Exploration of Independent Post-Quantum Layer 1 A governance poll approved research into departing Ethereum with 93.5% support, targeting a quantum-resistant standalone network by 2027. ## At a glance - **What happened:** Starknet governance approved research into becoming an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain with 93.52% of voting power in favor. - **Why it matters:** The proposed departure from Ethereum seeks to implement quantum-resistant security by 2027, ahead of Ethereum's planned 2029 cryptographic roadmap. - **Who is affected:** Starknet token holders, decentralized application developers, StarkWare, and Ethereum ecosystem participants. - **What's next:** StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation will release a draft whitepaper for public scrutiny in November. - **Status:** announced - **Primary source:** [Starknet voters back research into life beyond Ethereum](https://cointelegraph.com/news/starknet-vote-post-quantum-l1-research-ethereum?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound) — cointelegraph.com ## Key points - Starknet governance closed a non-binding vote with 93.52% voting power approving research into transitioning to an independent layer 1 [1]. - A whitepaper detailing the technical architecture is scheduled for public release in November, with STRK remaining the native token [1]. - StarkWare is targeting a 2027 post-quantum deployment deadline, arguing Ethereum's planned 2029 timeline carries security risks [1]. ## Editorial remark - **Context:** StarkWare first mooted the layer-1 transition on Oct. 8, arguing that despite using post-quantum-ready STARK proofs, Starknet's settlement dependencies on Ethereum create systemic exposure to delayed cryptography upgrades. - **Impact:** Starknet users and developers will see no immediate changes during layer-2 operations, with bridges and STRK utility remaining intact while technical working groups evaluate migration mechanisms. - **Watch:** Release of the draft technical whitepaper scheduled for public scrutiny in November, followed by future binding governance votes on execution. The Starknet community voted overwhelmingly to back research into transforming the network from an Ethereum layer 2 into an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain [1]. The non-binding governance poll concluded on Thursday after seven days of voting, drawing approximately 3,200 participants with 93.52% of voting power supporting the initiative [1]. According to StarkWare, the ballot achieved the highest voter turnout in Starknet's governance history, with StarkWare abstaining to allow community members to decide the outcome [1]. Approval of the measure authorizes StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation to form a working group to study the architectural shift and assemble technical proposals [1]. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that drafting on a technical whitepaper has begun, with plans to release a public draft in November [1]. Starknet will continue normal operations as an Ethereum layer 2 during this research phase, and any formal decision to sever layer-2 dependencies will require an additional, binding governance vote [1]. The initial proposal confirmed that $STRK will remain the native token without any new asset issuance, and existing bridges to Ethereum will remain operational [1]. ## Quantum Security and the Independence Thesis StarkWare initially proposed exploring an independent layer 1 on Oct. 8, pointing to vulnerabilities linked to Ethereum's security architecture and upgrade pace [1]. While Starknet leverages hash-based STARK proofs and programmable accounts that can natively support post-quantum cryptography, its data availability and cross-chain bridge mechanisms remain tethered to Ethereum's consensus rules [1]. In June, StarkWare outlined a three-stage quantum-resistance framework encompassing cryptography upgrades, contract migrations, and independence from Ethereum infrastructure [1]. StarkWare's Quantum Hub has already executed an experimental quantum-resilient transaction on the Starknet mainnet, though the underlying code has not yet completed a security audit [1]. The strategic push stems from diverging cryptographic transition roadmaps [1]. While the [Ethereum Foundation targets 2029 for post-quantum deployment](https://basisdesk.news/analysis/ethereum-foundation-post-quantum-cryptography-roadmap), Ben-Sasson argued that timeline is insufficient to protect network value against future quantum capabilities, targeting a full transition for Starknet by 2027 [1]. The development comes as $ETH traded down 2.5% at $2,397 and $BTC fell 2.0% to $81,677 at the time of writing. ## FAQ **Is Starknet leaving Ethereum immediately?** No. The completed vote is non-binding and only authorizes technical research. Starknet will continue to operate as an Ethereum layer-2 network, and any actual shift to a layer 1 requires a separate, binding governance vote. **Will there be a new token for the Starknet L1?** No. According to the governance proposal, STRK will remain the network's native token and no new token will be launched. ## Sources 1. [Starknet voters back research into life beyond Ethereum](https://cointelegraph.com/news/starknet-vote-post-quantum-l1-research-ethereum?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound) — cointelegraph.com, 2026-10-22 --- Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai