StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson is considering transitioning Starknet from an Ethereum Layer 2 solution to an independent Layer 1 blockchain. This strategic shift aims to ensure post-quantum agility, allowing the network to update its cryptography independently as new security threats emerge.
The proposal addresses two primary risks: the advancement of quantum computing and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Research cited by Ben-Sasson, involving ECDSA.Fail, indicates that AI-assisted efforts have reduced the resources required for a quantum computer to break elliptic curve signatures by 86%.
Ben-Sasson argues that as an L2 solution, Starknet is currently constrained by the security protocols of the Ethereum mainnet. By becoming an L1, the network would gain full control over its cryptographic updates, potentially achieving complete quantum resistance by 2027, compared to the 2029 timeline currently projected by the Ethereum Foundation.
This discussion follows the release of a three-stage roadmap by StarkWare in June, which outlines the network's transition to post-quantum cryptography. The company emphasizes that future-proofing requires specific cryptographic standards and the ability to adapt quickly to technological shifts.
