Starknet Achieves Stage 1 Decentralization, Leading ZK-Rollups in TVL

Starknet, the Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution, has reached a significant milestone: Stage 1 decentralization, as defined by Vitalik Buterin. This achievement positions Starknet as the leading zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup network in terms of total value locked (TVL).

This milestone, detailed in a recent press release, signifies Starknet’s transition from a centrally-governed system to a more decentralized structure. Key improvements include the establishment of a security council and the implementation of robust censorship-resistance mechanisms. While the security council retains oversight capabilities, a fully functional, smart-contract-governed validity proof system is now operational.

Starknet’s TVL currently surpasses $629 million, edging out ZKSync’s $610 million, according to L2beat. This makes it the largest ZK-rollup blockchain and the fifth-largest layer-2 network overall by TVL, trailing only Optimistic rollups that also achieved Stage 1 decentralization using fraud proofs.

Unlike fraud proofs, which assume invalidity until proven otherwise, Starknet utilizes validity proofs, ensuring transactions are valid only with cryptographic verification. This distinction highlights Starknet’s commitment to secure and efficient scaling solutions.

Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of StarkWare, emphasized the company’s ambition to progress to Stage 2 decentralization, achieving full autonomy and community governance. This aligns with Starknet’s broader strategy, which also encompasses integration with Bitcoin.

The broader layer-2 ecosystem continues to grow, with Coinbase’s Base leading in TVL at $14.7 billion, significantly outpacing Starknet’s market share. However, Starknet’s Stage 1 decentralization underscores its growing maturity and importance within the ZK-rollup landscape.