The Starknet ecosystem continues to evolve at a rapid pace, reinforcing its position as a leading Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum while boldly expanding into new frontiers—most notably, the Bitcoin ecosystem. This monthly recap dives into the key developments from March 2025, spotlighting major upgrades, decentralization milestones, and groundbreaking integrations that are shaping the future of decentralized technology.
Starknet Reinforces Its Cost Leadership
One of the most compelling advantages of Starknet has always been its cost efficiency—and that lead just got stronger. With the release of Starknet v0.13.5, gas fees have dropped even further, making the network more accessible than ever for developers and users alike.
This upgrade isn’t just about lower costs; it also improves developer experience (DevX) and lays critical groundwork for the upcoming Starknet v0.14.0, expected in Q2 2025. The optimization efforts are already paying off: Starknet now stands as the most cost-efficient rollup in the Ethereum ecosystem.
According to data from L2Beat, here's how other major L2s compare in average user transaction cost relative to Starknet:
- Fuel: ~7.1x more expensive
- Linea: ~7.8x more expensive
- INK: ~8.8x more expensive
- Base: ~13.6x more expensive
- OP Mainnet: ~18.4x more expensive
- Arbitrum: ~25x more expensive
👉 Discover how low-cost transactions can transform your blockchain experience.
These numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re transformative. As blob storage costs fluctuate across Ethereum’s rollup landscape, Starknet’s efficient architecture gives it long-term resilience and flexibility to maintain ultra-low fees, even under network stress.
Accelerating Decentralization: Staking v2 Goes Live
Decentralization remains a core pillar of Starknet’s vision—and March marked a pivotal step forward. The community vote on Staking v2 concluded successfully, with all proposed parameters receiving approval.
This upgrade introduces two critical enhancements:
- Validator block attestation: Starknet will now operate in epochs, requiring validators to attest to randomly selected blocks. This strengthens security and ensures broader participation across the validator set.
- Commission flexibility: Validators can now adjust their commission rates, but only under strict governance rules designed to prevent exploitation and promote fairness.
These changes will be implemented on Mainnet during Q2 2025, bringing Starknet halfway to its final staking architecture just four months after launching its decentralization journey. It’s a remarkable pace of progress, reflecting the strength and responsiveness of the Starknet community.
For those interested in the full roadmap, Starknet has published a comprehensive plan outlining its path to full decentralization—a journey rooted in transparency, community governance, and technical excellence.
Bridging Ethereum and Bitcoin: A Bold New Narrative
Ten months ago, StarkWare made a bold announcement: it would extend its scaling expertise beyond Ethereum to scale Bitcoin. That vision is now becoming reality.
After months of research, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem development, Starknet is poised to unlock a new wave of Bitcoin-native use cases—without compromising decentralization or security.
Here’s what’s already live or coming soon:
- Bitcoin staking: A native staking solution for BTC is in development, enabling users to earn yield while maintaining asset control.
- Rune and Bitcoin assets: A dedicated bridge is being built to bring Runes and other Bitcoin-based tokens to Starknet.
- Strategic BTC & ETH reserve: StarkWare has established a reserve of both Bitcoin and Ethereum, with plans to grow it over time—signaling long-term confidence in both ecosystems.
- Bitcoin Lightning Payments on Starknet: Users can now make real-world purchases using STRK via the Braavos mobile wallet, leveraging the Lightning Network. Any merchant accepting Lightning payments can now accept STRK seamlessly.
- Xverse integration: Xverse, one of the top Bitcoin wallets, is integrating Starknet. Their first product—cross-chain swaps between Bitcoin and Starknet—is already live, allowing users to exchange BTC for STRK and vice versa.
- BTC incentive program: The Starknet Foundation is launching a targeted incentive program to boost Bitcoin-related activity on the network.
- iBTC on Starknet: iBTC, an innovative wrapped Bitcoin token, is coming to Starknet—offering enhanced liquidity and utility.
- STRK tips on Nostr: Users can now send tips in STRK on Nostr, blending social interaction with seamless crypto payments.
- Private Cashu wallet funding: Anyone can privately fund a Cashu wallet using Starknet, enhancing privacy in digital transactions.
This multi-chain vision positions Starknet not just as an Ethereum L2, but as a cross-layer interoperability hub connecting two of the most powerful blockchains in existence.
👉 See how cross-chain innovation is redefining digital value transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is Starknet cheaper than other L2s?
A: Starknet uses zk-Rollup technology powered by STARK proofs, which batch thousands of transactions off-chain and submit compact cryptographic proofs to Ethereum. This results in significantly lower data costs compared to optimistic rollups or other zk implementations.
Q: What does Staking v2 mean for regular users?
A: While staking is primarily for validators, Staking v2 enhances network security and decentralization—benefiting all users through greater reliability and resistance to centralization risks.
Q: Can I use Bitcoin directly on Starknet today?
A: Not natively, but through bridges like Xverse and protocols like iBTC, you can already bring BTC value onto Starknet and interact with DeFi, pay merchants via Lightning, or participate in upcoming staking opportunities.
Q: How does Starknet support privacy features like Cashu?
A: Starknet’s architecture supports private transaction systems like Cashu by enabling users to mint ecash tokens off-chain while securing them with on-chain reserves—combining privacy with trustless backing.
Q: Is STRK used for gas fees on Starknet?
A: Yes, STRK is the native utility token of Starknet and is used for paying transaction fees, participating in governance, and staking.
Q: What’s next after Staking v2?
A: The next phase includes full validator decentralization, enhanced governance mechanisms, and deeper integration with both Ethereum and Bitcoin ecosystems.
The Road Ahead
The momentum behind Starknet is undeniable. From slashing transaction costs to advancing decentralization and pioneering Bitcoin-Ethereum interoperability, March 2025 was a landmark month.
Core keywords driving this narrative include: Starknet, zk-Rollup, STRK, Bitcoin scaling, Layer 2, Staking v2, cross-chain, and decentralization—all central to understanding where the network is headed.
With v0.14.0 on the horizon and a growing ecosystem of wallets, bridges, and dApps embracing its vision, Starknet is no longer just another scaling solution. It’s becoming a foundational layer for the next generation of blockchain applications.
👉 Stay ahead of the curve—explore the future of scalable, secure blockchain networks today.
As more projects build on Starknet and users migrate for its unmatched efficiency and innovation, one thing is clear: the era of high-cost, siloed blockchains is ending. The future is fast, interconnected, and open—and it’s being built on Starknet.