Starknet

**Starkzap v2 is now live**, expanding beyond its initial social login, gasless transactions, and staking capabilities. The updated SDK now includes: - Bridging functionality - Token swaps - Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) - Lending and borrowing protocols - Confidential transfers **All features are integrated into one unified SDK**, building on the original Starkzap toolkit that included invisible wallets, paymasters, session keys, and mobile access. The platform aims to help developers build fully onchain applications while abstracting blockchain complexity and creating new revenue opportunities.

**Starknet has launched STRK20**, a new privacy capability that enables confidential balances and private transfers for any ERC-20 token. **Key features:** - Adds privacy to existing ERC-20 tokens without requiring new token standards - Includes built-in compliance mechanisms - Technical paper now available detailing design and architecture **What's happening:** - Live Q&A session scheduled for today at 2 PM UTC - Community can bring questions about implementation and use cases The technical paper breaks down how STRK20 works, positioning privacy as a potential major unlock for the crypto space. The solution is powered by Starknet's infrastructure.

**Starknet is making blockchain development accessible to mainstream builders.** The platform now enables developers to create consumer applications without dealing with blockchain's technical complexity. **Key capabilities:** - Build consumer apps with Web2-like user experience - Abstract away blockchain complexity entirely - Support for Bitcoin and Ethereum integration - Quantum-resistant security through zero-knowledge proofs - Scalable infrastructure for real user adoption The platform recently launched an online hackathon (Feb 1-28) with $21.5K in prizes, encouraging developers to explore privacy-focused and cross-chain applications. Starknet's ZK-powered infrastructure aims to bridge the gap between traditional app development and blockchain technology, potentially lowering the barrier for mainstream consumer applications.

Starknet has announced its vision to become a unified infrastructure layer supporting both Bitcoin and Ethereum networks with quantum-resistant security. **Key Features Highlighted:** - Quantum-resistant cryptography - Zero-knowledge proof technology - Cross-chain compatibility for BTC and ETH - Privacy-focused architecture - Scalable infrastructure **Context:** This follows Starknet's September 2025 milestone of becoming the first ZK rollup to decentralize its sequencer. The network operates without trusted setups or trust assumptions. **Roadmap Includes:** - BTC staking integration - Staking v3 and v4 upgrades - Decentralized validation - Stage 2 rollup status The announcement positions Starknet as pursuing full decentralization while adding quantum resistance and multi-chain support to its existing ZK-rollup infrastructure.

LayerZero's **Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard** has been adopted by over 700 tokens, establishing itself as the leading interoperability solution in the market. **Key features of OFTs:** - Maintain unified token supply across multiple blockchains - Enable 1:1 cross-chain transfers with zero slippage - Support seamless movement of various token types including stablecoins, memecoins, governance tokens, and RWAs Stargate, which integrates with LayerZero, now supports over 250 OFTs through its global liquidity layer, positioning itself as the standard infrastructure for cross-chain token movement.

**Native USDC is now live on Starknet** as the canonical stablecoin, replacing USDC.e through a comprehensive ecosystem-wide migration. **Migration Options:** - **StarkGate Portal**: 1-click, gas-free, 1:1 conversion with zero slippage - **AVNU**: Auto-routing to best rates between migration contract and native pools - **Wallet Integration**: Braavos, Xverse, and Keplr offer direct migration prompts **Key Features:** - **Vesu**: Full 1-click migration for entire positions including collateral and debt - **Ekubo**: USDC.e/USDC liquidity pool ensures smooth transition swaps - **Extended**: Automatic migration with zero user impact required - **Ready**: Direct migration through mobile app for card users The migration process is designed to be simple and well-supported across the entire Starknet ecosystem, with multiple pathways available depending on user preferences and wallet choice.

**Ethereum successfully deployed the Fusaka upgrade**, marking a significant milestone in the network's scaling journey. The upgrade delivers: - Enhanced scaling capabilities - Maintained decentralization and security - Improved L1 performance - Increased blob throughput **Fusaka follows the earlier Pectra upgrade** this year, continuing Ethereum's systematic approach to network improvements. The successful deployment reinforces the argument for **building on Ethereum rather than alternative L1 networks**, as the established infrastructure continues to evolve and improve. This upgrade represents another step in Ethereum's long-term scaling roadmap, demonstrating the network's ability to enhance performance while preserving its core principles of decentralization and security.

**Starknet's BTCFi era is gaining momentum** with over 1,000 BTC already bridged to the network in just three weeks. **Major infrastructure improvements are rolling out:** - Native USDC implementation via burn-and-mint model - LayerZero integration for enhanced interoperability - Stargate and CCTP v2 deployment - Privacy features in development **Stablecoin adoption hits new records** with $143M+ total value, representing 70% growth in 30 days. The shift from bridged USDC (USDC.e) to native USDC will eliminate wrapped tokens and reduce counterparty risk. **Benefits for users include:** - Unified liquidity across chains - Simplified user experience - Lower transaction costs - Direct institutional access via Circle Mint New DeFi products are launching weekly as the ecosystem expands beyond basic functionality into Bitcoin-focused financial services.

**BTCFi reaches major milestone** with over 1,000 BTC now bridged to Starknet in just three weeks. The integration represents early progress in bringing Bitcoin DeFi capabilities to the Ethereum Layer 2 network. - 1,000+ BTC successfully bridged to Starknet - Three-week timeframe shows rapid adoption - Additional products and use cases in development Starknet positions this as the beginning of their "BTCFi era" with more functionality planned for Bitcoin-based decentralized finance applications.

A significant DeFi development is coming to Starknet with a new perpetual DEX launching tomorrow. Built by former Revolut team members, it will introduce: - Leverage trading capabilities - Traditional finance asset pairs - Yield farming opportunities In other news: - Layer Akira adds 8 new tokens with $10k lottery campaign - RocketX now bridges ~180 chains to Starknet - Cartridge Controller adds Gmail login support - Byte Beasts integrates Worldcoin verification - New NFT collection Schizodio sells out in under 24 hours [Full weekly recap](https://starknetresearch.substack.com/p/starknet-roundup-182)