Starknet (STRK) was one of the fastest-rising altcoins in the crypto market. Strong buying pushed its price above $0.10, reaching an intraday high of $0.1022. The coin rose 55.69% in 24 hours, its highest level since the start of 2026.
Catalyst: Potential transition to a Layer 1 network
The rise is mainly due to the possibility of Starknet transitioning from an Ethereum-based Layer 2 network to an independent Layer 1 blockchain. Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare, argued that the network needs control over its own security architecture to address potential security risks posed by quantum computing.
According to Ben Sasson, Ethereum aims to transition to a fully quantum-resistant architecture by the end of 2029. Starknet’s shift to an independent network could allow the project to make this transition without waiting for Ethereum, achieving full quantum resistance in 2027. StarkWare described the independent Layer 1 model as “the clearest path forward,” prompting the market to price in this possibility more aggressively.
But so far, there has been no formal governance proposal, final decision, or transition timeline. Starknet’s statement explicitly emphasized that this is not a decision, but an option being discussed publicly.
A sharp rise in trading volume
Alongside the Layer 1 debate, a technical breakout and a surge in trading volume accelerated the rally:
- 24-hour trading volume exceeded $550 million.
- The market capitalization reached about $758 million.
- Trading volume approaching the market capitalization points to unusually high trading activity in STRK.