Starknet has opened a seven-day governance vote asking STRK holders whether the network should begin studying a future as an independent layer-1 blockchain rather than continuing to rely on Ethereum, where it currently operates as a layer-2 network. The non-binding poll opened on October 15 and is scheduled to close on October 22. The distinction is structural: as a layer-2, Starknet relies on Ethereum for settlement and data availability, while a layer-1 would run its own base chain and carry that responsibility itself.

The proposal, published on the Starknet Community Forum, does not approve any network change or set a migration date. A Yes result would start research and additional governance votes rather than trigger an immediate switch. A No would keep quantum-security work within Starknet's existing Ethereum layer-2 structure, while a Neutral outcome would leave the discussion open as the community seeks answers.

STRK stakers and delegators can back the research, oppose it, or request more information. According to the Starknet Foundation, STRK would remain the network's native token under either approach, and bridges connecting Ethereum and Starknet would stay open. Developers have not published a migration timetable.

Quantum security drives the layer-1 debate

StarkWare, the company behind Starknet, says the network's proof system already uses cryptography designed to withstand quantum attacks. Its bridge and the data posted to Ethereum, however, still depend on Ethereum's own upgrades. That dependency is the crux of the debate, since those Ethereum-facing components cannot be made quantum-resistant by StarkWare acting alone.

In an October 8 X post, Starknet said it was considering layer-1 status and targeting quantum resistance by 2027. StarkWare also introduced Shadow Accounts for private DeFi activity this week, as reported separately.

Ethereum maintains a post-quantum roadmap targeting full protection across its core layers by December 2029, though that is a target rather than a guaranteed delivery date. Current quantum computers cannot break Ethereum's cryptography. The two dates give the choice its timing dimension: the layer-2 path advances with Ethereum's upgrade schedule, while independence would put those components under Starknet's own control.

StarkWare described an independent chain as its clearest path in an October 10 X post. Its June roadmap had identified Ethereum bridges and data availability as outside dependencies.

Early voting shows broad support

By 14:40 UTC on October 15, 293 ballots representing 179.8 million STRK in voting power had been cast, with 99.9% supporting further research. Final results will be tallied after the poll closes and would not, on their own, authorize a transition.

The vote follows a sharp STRK price rally on October 11, when the token gained more than 50% in 24 hours before retreating. Price movements do not indicate how holders will vote.

Wider industry weighs quantum risk

Other companies are also examining quantum threats. Coinbase published a Bitcoin post-quantum security plan urging developers to prepare before sufficiently powerful quantum computers arrive, though its recommendations concern Bitcoin rather than Starknet's governance vote. Taken together, the Coinbase paper, Ethereum's roadmap, and Starknet's poll show quantum preparedness becoming a planning priority across the industry, with each effort addressing a different part of the stack.

Moving to layer 1 would require Starknet to manage security and settlement without Ethereum. Design choices, costs, and transition steps remain open for later governance votes, and no final independent network design or timeline has been published. Until those questions are settled, Starknet's quantum posture remains split: its proofs are already built to withstand quantum attacks, while its Ethereum-facing components wait on another network's roadmap.

This article was first published on Blockonomi.