Ethereum, the leading platform for decentralized applications (dApps), faces a significant hurdle: scalability. The high transaction fees and slow processing times can be barriers to widespread adoption. Starknet emerges as a promising solution, offering a layer-2 scaling technique for Ethereum that prioritizes both speed and security.
Unlike traditional blockchains that process every transaction on-chain, Starknet operates as a validity rollup. This essentially means it bundles a large number of transactions off-chain, verifies them using advanced cryptography (zk-STARK proofs), and then submits the proof to the Ethereum mainnet for final settlement. This significantly reduces the computational burden on the Ethereum network, leading to faster transaction processing and lower fees.
The zk-STARK proofs employed by Starknet are a crucial element in its design. These cryptographic proofs allow Starknet to verify the validity of a large number of transactions without revealing their actual content. This ensures the security of the network while maintaining user privacy. Additionally, Starknet is permissionless, meaning anyone can build decentralized applications (dApps) on its platform, fostering innovation and competition within the blockchain space.
For developers, Starknet offers several advantages. Its general-purpose nature allows for the creation of a wider variety of dApps compared to other scaling solutions. Additionally, Starknet leverages Cairo, a custom programming language designed specifically for Starknet, offering developers greater flexibility and security compared to using Solidity on the Ethereum mainnet.