Starknet has solidified its position as the top zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup-based layer-2 network with $629 million in total value locked (TVL), marking a significant decentralization milestone. According to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s 2022 framework, Starknet has reached ‘Stage 1’ decentralization, reducing reliance on oversight or ‘training wheels.’ The platform achieved this through structural changes, including the creation of a security council and censorship-avoidance mechanisms. Starknet emphasized that Buterin’s framework is the ‘gold standard’ for evaluating Ethereum scaling solutions, highlighting its progress in blockchain scalability and decentralization.
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Ethereum Layer-2 Tokens Volatile Amid Pectra Upgrades
The Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystem is under scrutiny as tokens like Arbitrum (ARB), StarkNet (STRK), Mantle (MNT), Aevo (AEVO), and Fuel (FUEL) face volatility following the Pectra upgrade. The upgrade introduces reduced calldata costs, expanded blob space, and smart accounts, enhancing scalability and user experience. Arbitrum could benefit from lower Layer-1 fees, but its price has dropped 6.2%, testing key support at $0.292. StarkNet’s ZK rollup efficiency improves, yet STRK fell 13.5%, hovering near $0.116 support. Mantle’s modular design aligns with EIP-7251 staking upgrades, but MNT faces bearish sentiment after a 2.6% decline. Aevo struggles despite structural advantages, down 12%, while Fuel shows resilience with bullish EMA alignment. Market participants are weighing technical levels against upgrade-driven fundamentals.
read moreBitcoinOS & Starknet Boost Bitcoin with Smart Contracts
BitcoinOS and Starknet are advancing Bitcoin’s capabilities by integrating smart contracts without relying on the debated OP_CAT hard fork. Both leverage zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to enable scalable Layer 2 solutions, potentially transforming Bitcoin into a DeFi powerhouse. Starknet, an Ethereum L2, plans to boost Bitcoin’s transaction speed from 7 TPS to thousands, while BitcoinOS aims to deploy smart contracts directly on Bitcoin’s mainnet, eliminating the need for L2 transfers. BitcoinOS has already executed a trustless transaction via its Grail zk bridge, with plans to demo Bitcoin-Ethereum interoperability soon. This innovation could mobilize Bitcoin’s idle $2 trillion for DeFi, according to BitcoinOS CTO Gadi Guy.
read moreNous Research Raises $50M for Decentralized AI on Solana
Nous Research, a decentralized AI startup, has raised $50 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto venture giant Paradigm, valuing the company at $1 billion. The firm leverages Solana’s blockchain to coordinate global computing power for training open-source AI models, challenging centralized players like OpenAI. Founded in 2022, Nous Research aims to democratize AI development by incentivizing decentralized participation, with backing from investors like Distributed Global and Delphi Digital. Paradigm’s investment highlights growing interest in AI-blockchain convergence, as Nous prepares to scale its 15-billion-parameter LLM project transparently.
read moreBraavos Wallet: Your Ultimate Guide to StarkNet DeFi
The Braavos Wallet is a smart contract wallet tailored for StarkNet, offering intuitive DeFi and NFT functionalities. Available on mobile and browsers, it features one-click swaps, multi-chain bridging, and an integrated NFT gallery. Security is bolstered by Hardware Signer technology, leveraging smartphone biometrics for transaction confirmations. Upcoming upgrades include 2FA, allowance controls, and gaming session keys. The wallet supports easy onboarding via Banxa for fiat purchases and LayerSwap for exchange transfers. Users can seamlessly interact with StarkNet dApps like Aspect Marketplace for NFTs. Braavos emphasizes community feedback, inviting users to join their Discord or Twitter for updates and support.
read moreBraavos Wallet: Secure & Intuitive Crypto Management
The Braavos wallet is a self-custodial solution designed for ease and security in the crypto space, leveraging Ethereum’s safety and StarkNet’s scalability. It integrates one-click swaps, multiple funding options, NFT galleries, and dApp access. Advanced features include biometric authentication via Hardware Signer and upcoming smart contract upgrades like 2FA and gaming session keys. Available on mobile and browsers, Braavos supports seamless token swaps, cross-chain bridging, and NFT purchases. The wallet is community-driven, encouraging feedback via Discord and Twitter. Setup is straightforward, with tutorials available for funding, swapping, and exploring StarkNet’s ecosystem.
read moreBitlayer Integrates Bitcoin with Major Blockchains to Enhance Liquidity and DeFi Access
Bitlayer has partnered with five blockchains—Base, Starknet, Arbitrum, Sonic, and Plume Network—to launch the BitVM Bridge, enabling Bitcoin holders to transfer assets across these networks and tap into decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. This integration aims to unlock Bitcoin’s $1.9 trillion liquidity, enhancing its role beyond a static asset, though it faces challenges such as high transaction costs and competition from Ethereum’s ecosystem. Bitlayer’s approach, which settles transactions on Bitcoin, seeks to bolster miner fees while navigating scalability and regulatory uncertainties.
read moreEthereum Explores Poseidon Hash to Enhance Zero Knowledge Proof Efficiency
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is advocating for research into the Poseidon hash function to enhance zero-knowledge proof efficiency, potentially migrating Ethereum to this optimized cryptographic hash. While Poseidon could reduce computational costs for rollups, concerns about its performance and flexibility have been raised, particularly by Ye Zhang of the Scroll project, who noted its slower speed compared to alternatives like Blake and Keccak.
read moreSolana DeFi Leader Resigns Amid LIBRA Token Scandal and Fallout
Ben Chow, co-founder of the Meteora protocol, resigned following his implication in the $4.5 billion LIBRA token scandal, which involved front-running and insider trading. Chow denied any wrongdoing, stating that neither he nor his team compromised the token’s launch. Meanwhile, Railgun successfully blocked a hacker from laundering $9.5 million in stolen funds, and World Liberty Financial announced plans for a strategic reserve of digital assets to support major cryptocurrencies and emerging DeFi projects.
read moreHacker Offered Bounty After Stealing Over 9 Million in Ethereum
A decentralized money-lending protocol on Starknet, zkLend, has offered a 10% bounty to the hacker who stole over $9 million in Ethereum. The protocol requests the return of at least 90% of the stolen funds, warning of legal action if the amount is not returned by February 14, 2025. Currently, the hacker’s wallet holds over $7 million in crypto assets.
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