Starknet token jumps over 300% as Layer 1 proposal gains traction
STRK rose about 322% in the 30 days through October 11-12, 2026, outperforming Bitcoin and Ether. The rally followed a Token2049 proposal for Starknet to leave Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem and become an independent Layer 1 chain focused on quantum resistance by 2027. Trading volumes and DeFi total value locked increased, though on-chain activity and fees grew more slowly than the token price.
Starknet currently settles transactions on Ethereum as a Layer 2. A Token2049 proposal would make it an independent Layer 1, targeting full quantum resistance by 2027. CEO Eli Ben-Sasson says independence would let Starknet control its own security-upgrade timeline, rather than depending partly on Ethereum's decisions.
During the run, STRK's 24-hour volume often exceeded several hundred million dollars, while DEX and perpetual futures activity rose. Market cap was reported between $860 million and $888 million. DeFi TVL increased roughly 5% to 7% to about $168 million, and fees reached a seven-day high of $13,685 on October 8. STRK is still more than 97% below its February 2024 all-time high.
If Starknet's proposal advances, it could affect Ethereum users, Starknet developers, validators, and investors by changing where security is anchored and who controls upgrade timing. A standalone quantum-resistant chain may encourage other crypto projects to weigh post-quantum planning, though the idea remains unapproved and lacks a confirmed timeline. The gap between STRK's price and network usage may also shape how retail and institutional participants assess risk, potentially influencing capital flows and confidence across Ethereum's scaling ecosystem.