Starknet (STRK) is a layer 2 network for Ethereum that uses zero knowledge proofs, specifically STARKs, to process transactions cheaply and securely. Built by StarkWare, co-founded by Eli Ben-Sasson, Starknet bundles many transactions together and proves their validity to Ethereum with a compact cryptographic proof. Developers write applications in the Cairo programming language. Starknet launched in 2021 and the STRK token was introduced in February 2024. STRK is used to pay transaction fees, to stake and to vote on network upgrades.