StarkNet
StarkNet is a decentralized Ethereum Layer-2 protocol using zero-knowledge STARK proof technology to enable scalable, low-cost transactions. It serves 80+ DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure applications with native account abstraction, Bitcoin staking, and privacy features.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What StarkNet does
StarkNet is a decentralized Ethereum Layer-2 scaling protocol that uses zero-knowledge STARK (Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge) proof technology to execute transactions off-chain while inheriting Ethereum's base-layer security. Developed by StarkWare (co-founded by STARK co-inventor Eli Ben-Sasson, also a Zcash pioneer) and launched on mainnet in November 2021, the network supports customizable appchains with EVM compatibility, Native Account Abstraction, and processes 2M+ daily transactions at 2,630 TPS capacity with sub-cent costs. The product suite includes the core Starknet L2, the S-Two recursive circuit proving system, strkBTC for confidential Bitcoin transfers, the STRK20 privacy token framework, and Starkzap v2 DeFi tooling — collectively serving 80+ DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure applications that have driven over 1 billion cumulative transactions by August 2025.
The protocol monetizes primarily through transaction gas fees, with a governance/fee/staking token (STRK) and 800M+ STRK tokens staked. The network expanded into Bitcoin staking in Q3 2025 (650+ BTC staked by November 2025), creating a dual-token consensus model, and pursued cross-chain distribution via partnerships with Hyperlane (150+ chains), RocketX (180+ chains), and institutional custody integration with Anchorage Digital. Ecosystem capital deployment includes a $4M Africa venture fund (Feb 2025), a $125.5M Gaming Committee budget, and a 100M STRK Bitcoin liquidity reward program.
Revenue economics deteriorated sharply following Ethereum's EIP-4844 (Dencun) upgrade in March 2024, which compressed L2 data availability costs industry-wide; StarkNet's monthly gas revenue collapsed ~99% from ~$6M in late 2023 to ~$48K by April 2026, and the STRK token declined 98.3% from its $4.41 peak to $0.076. In response, StarkWare executed a restructuring and layoffs in April 2026, splitting into two independent units. Despite the revenue collapse, TVL stood at $242M+ and consensus value at $365M+ (including $135M in BTC staking) by late 2025, indicating underlying user and liquidity retention even as monetization has broken down.
StarkNet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StarkNet
- Legal name
- StarkWare Industries Ltd.
- Website
- https://starknet.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- StarkNet is a decentralized Ethereum Layer-2 protocol using zero-knowledge STARK proof technology to enable scalable, low-cost transactions. It serves 80+ DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure applications with native account abstraction, Bitcoin staking, and privacy features.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StarkNet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Layer 2 Blockchain Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Securities and Commodity Exchanges (52321)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Oracles, Data Feeds & Attestations (price feeds, randomness, proofs) (FSAPAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- MEV, Sequencing & Transaction Supply Chain (builders, searchers, PBS, auctions) (FSAPAAAG)
Keywords
Where StarkNet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
StarkNet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Transaction/Gas Fees: Starknet generates revenue through transaction fees (gas fees) paid by users for transactions on the network. Revenue collapsed from nearly $6 million per month in late 2023 to approximately $48,000 in April 2026, representing a decline of more than 99%, driven in part by Ethereum's EIP-4844 upgrade which significantly reduced Layer 2 transaction fees.
- STRK Token Utility: The STRK token serves multiple functions including governance, transaction fee payments, and staking within the Starknet ecosystem.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
StarkNet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Starknet is an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling network that uses STARK zero-knowledge proof technology to process transactions off-chain while inheriting Ethereum's base-layer security. The network offers a developer platform for deploying decentralized applications across DeFi, gaming, and AI use cases, with privacy features delivered through the STRK20 framework and the strkBTC confidential Bitcoin asset, and transaction costs below one cent at scale.
Product overview
Starknet is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that uses STARK zero-knowledge proof technology to enable scalable, secure, and low-cost transactions. The product portfolio centers on Starknet as the core blockchain platform, supplemented by privacy-focused token infrastructure (STRK20 framework and strkBTC for private Bitcoin transactions), the S-two recursive circuit proving system for faster validity proofs, and the Starkzap v2 DeFi toolkit. These products work together to provide an ecosystem where users can conduct private transactions, deploy DeFi applications, and benefit from reduced fees and faster settlement times while maintaining Ethereum security.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- STRK20: Privacy-focused token framework extending confidentiality to DeFi applications including lending, staking and token swaps.
- strkBTC
- Starkzap v2
Products and services
- Starknet An Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution that uses STARK zero-knowledge proof technology to provide scalable, secure, and low-cost transactions while maintaining Layer-1 Ethereum security. The platform is used by developers to deploy decentralized applications and by end users to transact with sub-cent fees.
- strkBTC A Bitcoin-based asset on Starknet that enables shielded balances and confidential transfers while maintaining full composability across DeFi applications, with privacy protections enforced at the protocol level. It is built for users who want to move Bitcoin into DeFi with confidentiality and regulatory-compliant viewing keys.
- STRK20 Framework A privacy-focused token framework that extends confidentiality beyond simple transfers into DeFi applications such as lending, staking, and token swaps. It embeds confidentiality directly into token contracts while providing viewing keys for authorized regulatory access and preserving DeFi composability.
- S-Two Prover A fully open-source zero-knowledge prover optimized for speed, privacy, and decentralization that generates validity proofs for transaction validation on Ethereum. It reduces proving latency and can operate on standard hardware, making decentralized proving economically viable.
- Starkzap v2 A DeFi toolkit providing liquidity provisioning and yield optimization features for the Starknet ecosystem, giving users a simplified entry point to Starknet-based DeFi protocols.
- Bitcoin Staking on Starknet Mainnet A network security product that allows Bitcoin holders to stake BTC on Starknet mainnet as part of the first rollup dual-token consensus model (STRK 75% / BTC 25%). The product unlocks Bitcoin as productive economic security for the L2 and provides yield opportunities for BTC holders, supported institutionally by Anchorage Digital custody.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,630 TPS throughput capacity
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use StarkNet
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
StarkNet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
StarkNet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Atomiq LabsmajorAtomiq Labs powers the bridge enabling users to swap Bitcoin for strkBTC using atomic swaps, with viewing key providing compliance mechanisms for regulatory inquiries.
- Anchorage DigitalmajorAnchorage Digital provides institutional-grade Bitcoin staking support for Starknet's dual-token consensus model, with $65M in staked assets added within six hours of announcement.
- Polygon (Circle STARKs)majorTechnical collaboration with Polygon on Circle STARKs to advance zk rollup technology, reducing transaction costs and enhancing scalability for both platforms.
- Alpen LabsmajorStarknet Foundation awarded a grant to Alpen Labs to develop a trust-minimized Bitcoin bridge using Glock technology, enabling Bitcoin to be used directly in DeFi applications on Starknet.
- HyperlanemajorIntegration with Hyperlane providing connectivity to 150+ chains, enabling cross-chain asset transfers and expanding Starknet's reach across the blockchain ecosystem.
- RocketXmajorIntegration with RocketX providing access to 180+ chains for cross-chain liquidity and asset transfers.
- AvailmajorAvail's data availability network partnership with five major Ethereum rollups including Starknet, supporting trust-minimized digital systems.
- ChainlinkcoreStrategic partnership with Chainlink for oracle services supporting DeFi capabilities and cross-chain interoperability within the Starknet ecosystem.
- Threshold NetworkcoreStrategic partnership with Threshold Network for cross-chain interoperability and expanded DeFi capabilities within the Starknet ecosystem.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
StarkNet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- zkSync: Zero-knowledge Layer 2 on Ethereum with similar ZK proof-based scaling approach to Starknet. Most directly comparable as a ZK rollup competitor targeting DeFi and payments use cases.
- Linea: ConsenSys-developed zero-knowledge Layer 2 on Ethereum. Direct ZK rollup competitor with institutional backing and MetaMask integration advantages.
- Scroll: Zero-knowledge Layer 2 on Ethereum targeting EVM equivalence. Direct ZK rollup competitor with similar developer-focused go-to-market positioning.
- Arbitrum: Largest Ethereum Layer 2 network by TVL using optimistic rollup technology. Directly competes with Starknet for the same DeFi, gaming, and infrastructure developer ecosystem, though with different security/trust assumptions.
- Optimism: Ethereum Layer 2 using optimistic rollup technology with the OP Stack and Superchain vision. Competes directly with Starknet for Ethereum-scaling application deployments and developer mindshare.
- Polygon zkEVM: Zero-knowledge Layer 2 from Polygon, with active technical collaboration with StarkWare on Circle STARKs. Direct ZK rollup competitor targeting the same Ethereum application ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Immutable: Layer 2 focused specifically on gaming with zk-rollup technology. Comparable to Starknet's gaming strategy (Dope World ecosystem, Gaming Committee) but with a narrower vertical focus.
Broad incumbents
- Base: Coinbase-incubated Layer 2 built on the OP Stack. Competes for the same Ethereum application developers and users with the backing of a major centralized exchange.
Others
- Celestia: Modular data availability layer used by multiple rollups including Starknet (via Avail partnership). Adjacent infrastructure provider rather than direct competitor.
- EigenLayer: Ethereum restaking protocol enabling shared security for AVSs and rollups. Thematically related as infrastructure for next-generation crypto-economic security models, including those relevant to L2 design.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
StarkNet social profiles
Digital presenceStarkNet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StarkNet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
StarkNet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StarkNet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StarkNet
What does StarkNet do?
Starknet is an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling network that uses STARK zero-knowledge proof technology to process transactions off-chain while inheriting Ethereum's base-layer security. The network offers a developer platform for deploying decentralized applications across DeFi, gaming, and AI use cases, with privacy features delivered through the STRK20 framework and the strkBTC confidential Bitcoin asset, and transaction costs below one cent at scale.
Is StarkNet a public or private company?
StarkNet is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was StarkNet founded?
StarkNet was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is StarkNet based?
StarkNet is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does StarkNet make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Transaction/Gas Fees are the primary driver. The others are STRK Token Utility.
Who are StarkNet's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are zkSync, Linea, Scroll, Arbitrum, Optimism and Polygon zkEVM. Immutable is listed as an emerging player. Base is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Celestia and EigenLayer.
Does StarkNet have an API?
No public API is recorded for StarkNet.
What industry is StarkNet in?
StarkNet's product category is Layer 2 Blockchain Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPAAAI, Oracles, Data Feeds & Attestations (price feeds, randomness, proofs), with a secondary code of FSAPAAAG, MEV, Sequencing & Transaction Supply Chain (builders, searchers, PBS, auctions). Its NAICS code is 522320 and its SIC code is 6199.