Starknet

The **Starknet Foundation** has launched **Proof of Privacy**, an incubator program for teams building private applications using STRK20, Starknet's privacy framework for ERC-20 assets. **What STRK20 enables:** - Shielded balances and private transfers - Private swaps and trading - Cost-effective transactions at 4 STRK with no variable pricing **Target applications:** - Private payments and identity solutions - Gaming and new financial products - DeFi flows including yield, staking, and lending The framework is expanding across the Starknet ecosystem with broader app integrations, open-source SDK access, and private swaps through [avnu](https://avnu.fi) and [Ekubo](https://ekubo.org). Teams interested in building privacy-focused applications can now apply to the incubator program.

Starknet has officially launched privacy features on its network, marking a significant milestone in blockchain development. **Key highlights:** - Privacy functionality is now active and available on Starknet - This represents the "next natural chapter for Bitcoin" according to previous announcements - The launch follows months of development and community anticipation The implementation brings enhanced transaction privacy to the Starknet ecosystem, addressing one of the key challenges in public blockchain networks. [Read the full announcement](https://www.starknet.io/blog/privacy-live-on-starknet/)

**Privacy features are now live on Starknet** through Ready and Xverse wallets, allowing users to shield assets with a single click. **What's available today:** - Private transfers between wallets - Shielded balances for selected assets - One-click shielding and unshielding - Private swaps through Ready and Xverse **How it works:** Users can select any supported asset (like strkBTC) in their wallet and tap "Shield" to enable privacy. The process is reversible - simply tap "Unshield" when needed. **Important note:** Unshield assets before bridging out, as shielded balances won't appear in bridge interfaces. This marks a shift in crypto privacy - no new wallets, assets, or applications required. Privacy now works directly where users already interact with crypto.

Starknet has officially launched **[STRK20]**, a new token standard focused on privacy functionality. This follows the deployment of Starknet v0.14.2, dubbed "The Privacy Engine," which was announced in April 2026. Key developments: - STRK20 represents a privacy-focused token standard now live on the Starknet network - The launch builds on infrastructure introduced in the v0.14.2 update - Starknet positions this as finding "the right frequency" for privacy implementation The rollout marks a significant step in bringing privacy features to the Starknet ecosystem, expanding the network's capabilities beyond standard token functionality.

**Privacy doesn't have to mean breaking compliance rules.** Most privacy solutions face a problem: they either can't respond to legal requests without exposing everyone, or they isolate users in fragmented ecosystems. **STRK20 takes a different approach:** - Viewing keys are encrypted by an independent auditor - Legal requests can be answered with scoped access per user - Other users in the pool remain protected - No need to freeze funds or delist assets This design keeps privacy functional while meeting regulatory demands—connecting users to existing DeFi without the compliance risks that have plagued other privacy tools.

At Bitcoin 2026, a new privacy solution for Bitcoin was demonstrated on stage. **strkBTC** enables Bitcoin holders to conduct private transactions on Starknet through a privacy pool system. **How it works:** - Users bridge their BTC into the Starknet network - Balances and transfers become shielded within the privacy pool - Bitcoin remains fully redeemable back to native BTC at any time - External observers only see bridge deposits and withdrawals - Internal transaction activity stays private The solution gives Bitcoin users optional privacy without sacrificing the ability to return to native BTC. Users maintain control over when to enter and exit the privacy layer.

Starknet mainnet experienced a brief ~10 minute downtime starting at 8:10 AM UTC on April 20 for the v0.14.2 protocol upgrade. **Key Changes:** - **In-protocol proof verification** - Starknet can now verify proofs natively at the protocol level, eliminating expensive application-layer workarounds - **Native privacy unlocked** - Enables STRK20 and strkBTC tokens with built-in privacy features - **zkThreads foundation** - Lays groundwork for infinite scaling through parallel execution - **Decentralization building blocks** - Adds infrastructure for future decentralized validation The upgrade passed community vote on April 16 after STRK stakers and delegators approved the changes. Additional improvements include revised storage economics and StarkGate token contract upgrades. This represents a fundamental shift in how Starknet handles proof verification, moving critical functionality from the application layer into the core protocol.

**strkBTC is set to launch by end of April/early May**, bringing a new Bitcoin wrapper to Starknet that combines hard money principles with privacy and DeFi productivity. **Key features:** - Privacy-enabled Bitcoin transactions - Built on STRK20s privacy technology - Compliance integrated from day one - Full DeFi composability on Starknet **What this means:** Bitcoin holders will be able to do more than just HODL - they can participate in Starknet's DeFi ecosystem while maintaining privacy. The asset aims to provide Bitcoiners with confidential balances and private transfers. **Get involved:** Interested users can contact the team at [strk20.starknet.io](https://strk20.starknet.io/) to participate in the upcoming launch. Bitcoin can already be bridged to Starknet in preparation. This launch is part of Starknet's broader privacy initiative, which includes STRK20s - a privacy layer for all ERC-20 tokens with built-in compliance.

Starknet has activated **post-quantum resistant wallets** on its network, marking a significant step in blockchain security. **Key Features:** - No address changes required for users - No hard fork needed for implementation - Proving system already post-quantum by design - Seamless upgrade path for existing wallets This development positions Starknet ahead of potential quantum computing threats to blockchain security, while maintaining backward compatibility.

**Starkzap** is lowering the barrier to entry for blockchain development. The platform demonstrates how developers can quickly transform app ideas into functional onchain applications. This represents a significant shift in blockchain development accessibility. **Key points:** - Building consumer apps on Starknet has become straightforward - Developers can create virtually any application type - The platform abstracts away blockchain complexity - No deep technical blockchain knowledge required This development signals a maturation of blockchain infrastructure, where the underlying technology becomes invisible to both developers and end users. The focus shifts from technical implementation to actual user experience and functionality.