Starknet

**Privacy features for USDC are now live on Starknet**, enabling private transfers and swaps using Circle's USDC. Powered by **STRK20s** (Starknet's privacy framework for ERC-20s), users can: - **Shield USDC** into a private balance with one click - **Swap confidentially** through Ready and Xverse wallets - **Unshield back** to standard ERC-20 behavior anytime - **Maintain full auditability** for tax and legal compliance The system uses encrypted viewing keys for selective disclosure to authorized auditors when required, balancing privacy with accountability. **Private transactions cost 4 STRK** with no variable pricing based on transaction size. STRK20 uses a **shared privacy pool** that strengthens as more users and assets join. The framework leverages Starknet's provable computation capabilities to verify private flows without exposing transaction details. Read more: [Privacy features for USDC on Starknet](https://www.starknet.io/privacy-features-for-usdc-on-starknet/)

**The Problem:** Blockchain transparency has been a major barrier to enterprise adoption. Every stablecoin transfer reveals: - Sender and recipient addresses - Transaction amounts - Timing of payments This makes it impractical for companies to run **payroll**, **treasury operations**, **supplier payments**, and **OTC flows** onchain at scale. **What's Changed:** A new solution appears to address this limitation, potentially enabling private transactions while maintaining the benefits of blockchain infrastructure. **Why It Matters:** For businesses, payment privacy isn't about hiding—it's about competitive protection. Transparent transactions expose: - Employee compensation structures - Supplier relationships and pricing - Capital deployment strategies - Trading patterns This development could remove a key obstacle preventing institutional adoption of onchain payments.

**Shield Rush is now live** on Starknet, offering users a new way to earn rewards through daily activities. **What is Shield Rush?** - A campaign where participants complete daily activities using Shielding technology - Open to anyone who wants to participate - Rewards are distributed among active participants - Powered by StarkWare Ltd **Key Details:** - Getting started is straightforward and accessible - Activities are designed to be completed daily - Uses Starknet's Shielding feature as the core mechanism [Visit the Shield Rush website](https://strk20.starknet.io/shield-rush) to begin participating in the campaign and start earning your share of rewards.

The **strkBTC bridge** now operates through a Federation of five independent institutions managing Bitcoin bridging infrastructure. **Federation Members:** - Twinstake - NEAR Protocol/Intents - Luganodes - UTXO Management - Xverse Each member operates infrastructure supporting the **minting, burning, and bridging** of BTC and strkBTC tokens. The Federation provides a defined operational trust model for moving Bitcoin into and out of the Starknet ecosystem. This multi-institutional approach distributes responsibility across independent operators rather than relying on a single entity.

**STRK20** introduces privacy features for ERC-20 tokens on Starknet while maintaining regulatory compliance through encrypted viewing keys. **Key Features:** - Private balances, transfers, and swaps for any ERC-20 on Starknet - Fixed cost of 4 $STRK per transaction, regardless of size - Single shared privacy pool that strengthens as more users join - Encrypted viewing keys allow authorized auditors to access specific information on legitimate requests **How It Works:** Users can shield ERC-20 tokens into private balances, conduct private transactions, then unshield with one click—all within the same wallet and liquidity pools. The framework leverages Starknet's provable computation capabilities to verify private transactions without exposing details. As the privacy pool grows with more users and assets, individual transactions become harder to isolate. **Ecosystem Expansion:** STRK20 is rolling out across Starknet with integrations for [avnu](https://avnu.fi) and [Ekubo](https://ekubo.org), plus an open-source SDK. The [Proof of Privacy incubator](https://starknet.io) supports teams building private applications for payments, trading, identity, and DeFi. *Privacy by default, accountability when required.*

**Private swaps are now live on Starknet**, marking a significant milestone for privacy-focused DeFi on the network. **Key features:** - Private transactions enabled through Paymaster integration - Powered by AVNU protocol - Available on Starknet Mainnet This launch represents Starknet's entry into privacy-preserving DeFi, allowing users to execute token swaps without publicly exposing transaction details on-chain. The announcement includes a guide for users to begin swapping privately on the platform.

**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.