Starknet

Built on the principles of scalability and decentralization, Starknet is a leading zk-rollup that utilizes STARKs to securely scale Ethereum on one hand, and pioneers the financial activation of Bitcoin on the other. As a Validity Rollup, Starknet provides unlimited scale while retaining Ethereum's security and decentralization. Its native token, STRK, plays a crucial role in the network's governance, staking, and fee payment mechanisms.

Starknet's technology is centered around Cairo, its native smart contract language, which enables developers to push the boundaries of their applications by allowing them to code any kind of business logic. The network also employs Native Account Abstraction, offering efficient and user-friendly experiences for users. Starknet's Developer Hub provides a variety of manuals and resources for builders, empowering them to create innovative solutions on the platform.

Starknet's use cases are diverse, with its native BTC staking and BTCFi features making it an attractive option for Bitcoin holders. The network also enables trust-minimized Bitcoin bridging through its Broly feature, allowing users to inscribe data on Bitcoin directly from Starknet securely and easily. Additionally, Asset Runes provides native USDC exposure on Bitcoin, enabling trust-minimized interaction with the largest digital currency.

The Starknet ecosystem is entering 2025 after a pivotal year, with trends and themes shaping its growth. The network's road to decentralization involves three lanes: improving the user experience, increasing the number of validators, and enhancing the overall security of the network. Lombard Protocol has partnered with Starknet to introduce LBTC, enabling Bitcoin staking and DeFi within its ecosystem.

The Starknet Foundation has allocated a total of 1.8 billion STRK (18% of the total STRK supply) to distribute to the community. The first round of Provisions will distribute more than 700 million out of 900 million STRK set aside for the program. Tokens that aren't claimed during this period will be distributed to the community in the future.