@Starknet's native token $STRK has surged more than 107% over the past week, making it one of the standout performers in the crypto market. The catalyst: a statement from the @Starknet team s
@Starknet's native token $STRK has surged more than 107% over the past week, making it one of the standout performers in the crypto market. The catalyst: a statement from the @Starknet team saying it is actively weighing a transition from an Ethereum Layer 2 network into a fully independent Layer 1 blockchain.
The announcement came on October 8, 2026, when Starknet said on its official account: "We are actively considering becoming an L1. This would enable Starknet to become the first fully quantum-resistant network, with 2027 as our target." The statement was enough to send $STRK to its highest level in nine months. The token outpaced both Bitcoin and ether, posting its biggest single-day gain in over a year.
At Token2049, held on October 7 to 8, StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson revealed that Starknet is evaluating a transition away from Ethereum's Layer 2 architecture to become an independent Layer 1 blockchain, aiming to become the first fully quantum-resistant L1 network by 2027.Ben-Sasson argues an L1 could give Starknet direct control over post-quantum security upgrades instead of depending on Ethereum's timetable.
It is worth noting that no final decision has been made. The market is currently pricing the idea, not a completed transition. The project is still only "actively considering" the move, with no confirmed launch date for a new Layer 1 and no final governance approval yet.
The market reaction has been striking enough to raise a broader question: could other @Ethereum L2 projects follow suit? The momentum around $STRK suggests investor appetite for L2 networks that signal a path toward greater protocol independence. A standalone chain could let Starknet align governance, security, and infrastructure around a single objective rather than around the constraints of being an Ethereum Layer 2.For investors, that creates a bigger narrative than a normal product release, turning $STRK from a token tied to a scaling network into a token tied to a possible new Layer 1 identity.
Traders should also keep an eye on near-term supply dynamics. A scheduled token unlock on October 15, 2026, allocated to early contributors and investors, is the biggest immediate watch point. Whether strong trading volumes can absorb that additional supply will be a key test of whether the rally has real staying power.
Sources:STRK Token Outperforms Bitcoin to Hit 9-Month High, Yahoo FinanceSTRK rallies as Starknet weighs a move from Ethereum layer 2 to its own layer 1, Crypto BriefingSTRK Price Rises as Starknet Targets Quantum-Resistant L1 by 2027, Crypto Times
