Starknet Reaches Stage 1 Decentralization with Vitalik’s Backing

Starknet (STRK) has officially entered Stage 1 decentralization, marking a significant milestone for the Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution. According to L2BEAT, this upgrade means users are no longer fully reliant on Starknet's core developers, signaling a major step toward trustless infrastructure.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has voiced his support, calling Starknet one of the few Layer 2 networks worth watching. Interestingly, Buterin was part of Starknet’s LockedTokenGrant last year, receiving STRK tokens which he quietly transferred—over 2 million—to an unlabeled wallet from his Gnosis Safe around nine months ago. The move raised speculation about privacy and token management, though no public statements were made.

Stage 1 decentralization introduces critical safeguards: a sequencer upgrade delay, a multisig security council with independent members, and emergency mechanisms to prevent censorship or system failure. These features reduce centralized control, giving the community more security and input compared to the previous Stage 0 setup where users had to trust the development team entirely.

Looking ahead, Starknet is aiming for Stage 2 decentralization by early 2026—where no entity can unilaterally change rules, halt withdrawals, or censor transactions. No Layer 2 has reached this level yet, making Starknet’s ambition notable.

In a bold move beyond the Ethereum ecosystem, Starknet plans to bridge Ethereum and Bitcoin, aiming to become the first Layer 2 protocol operating across both networks. StarkWare, the development team, is already accumulating ETH and BTC to support this cross-chain vision.

With growing momentum, strong community support, and backing from Vitalik himself, Starknet is positioning itself as a leading force in the next generation of decentralized, multi-chain infrastructure. Investors and developers alike are watching closely.