The @StarkWareLtd ecosystem has seen a wave of major developments recently, so we're bringing you the @Starknet Special - covering key announcements, technical breakthroughs, and essential updates
@Starknet announced ambitious plans to become the first L2 network to settle on both Bitcoin and @Ethereum, aiming to bridge the two largest blockchain ecosystems: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1899460308814716946…
By serving as Bitcoin’s execution layer, Starknet will enable faster, cheaper transactions while unlocking DeFi opportunities such as lending, staking, and trading. Built with its pioneering zkSTARK technology, Starknet offers scalability without sacrificing security. The team also intends to introduce bridges for Bitcoin assets, launch incentives to drive Bitcoin adoption, and pursue full decentralization by 2026.
As part of these efforts, the team outlined plans to scale Bitcoin using STARK proofs in conjunction with multisig and BitVM-based bridges, with future compatibility for OP_CAT. They are actively collaborating with multiple Bitcoin projects, establishing a BTC reserve, and preparing for BTCFi Season to expand Bitcoin DeFi locally within the Starknet ecosystem. Research into Bitcoin covenants and additional scaling mechanisms remains ongoing: https://starknet.io/blog/starknet-bitcoin-scaling/…
As an immediate expansion of Bitcoin interoperability, cross-chain swaps between Bitcoin and Starknet are now available through @XverseApp. As a leading Bitcoin wallet, Xverse is extending support to Starknet to enhance Bitcoin DeFi accessibility. Though swaps are already live, deeper integration is on the horizon, including full wallet support and expanded DeFi functionality: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1899807611673043261…
Further strengthening Bitcoin’s usability on Starknet, @myBraavos has introduced Bitcoin Lightning Network payments, enabling users to pay any Lightning-enabled merchant using STRK instead of BTC. This eliminates the need for a separate Lightning wallet or holding Bitcoin. Through the @atomiqlabs bridge, STRK is instantly converted to BTC at checkout, making Bitcoin payments seamless while broadening both Bitcoin’s utility and STRK’s role in real-world transactions:https://starknet.io/blog/braavos-bitcoin-lightning-payments-strk/…
@Starknet has released v0.13.4 on Testnet: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1895014034652701080… This introduces major updates such as Cairo-Native for faster smart contract execution, L2 gas metering for more accurate transaction fees, and stateful compression to reduce storage costs. The release also includes several developer-focused improvements. A Mainnet deployment is expected soon.
Following this, Starknet released Cairo v2.10.0, featuring an upgrade to Sierra v1.7.0, and closely followed by Cairo v2.11.0, focusing on high-level compiler improvements. It introduces updates like improved iterator and option traits, enum variant imports, const functions, and a new Vec interface with push/pop. Storage scrubbing is added for zeroing data, and loops now support early returns and error propagation. Developers should ensure snforge_std ≥ 0.38.0 for compatibility: https://community.starknet.io/t/cairo-v2-11-0-is-out/115438…
@StarknetFndn is partnering with @EspacioCripto to boost startup growth in Latin America: https://x.com/StarknetFndn/status/1898053925049131481…
ogether, they’ll launch initiatives like a Startup House in Monterrey, developer programs, and VC partnerships to support founders and developers. Their goal is to grow Starknet’s presence in LATAM by identifying top talent and empowering high-potential blockchain projects.
Starknet also launched their 'Founder Basecamp', a program for early-stage entrepreneurs. Over four weeks, participants will refine their startup ideas, validate them with real users, build a go-to-market strategy, and prepare investor pitches. The program ends with a pitch competition, and top founders can team up with Starknet technical co-founders to further develop their products:https://starknet.io/blog/begin-your-startup-journey-with-founder-basecamp/…
@Starknet is progressively moving toward full decentralization in 2025 by advancing staking, decentralizing operations, and evolving governance: https://starknet.io/blog/decentralized-starknet-2025/…
After launching staking in late 2024, the project plans to tie rewards to validators and block production this year. Starknet will also open-source its entire tech stack and implement decentralized consensus by year-end. To ensure network security and censorship resistance Starknet's Security Council will oversee core contract governance.
They recently announced that STRK staking phase 2 is coming, with Testnet launch in the coming weeks and Mainnet in Q2 2025. This phase adds validator block attestations and a transparent commission system. The official vote will be held from March 20th to Mar 30th: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1897649795726229576
