STRK

Starknet implements a modified Tendermint consensus requiring >⅔ honest validators instead of simple majority voting. Transactions are streamed in real-time batches rather than full-block propagation, reducing latency by 30-40%. Validators must stake STRK with slashing conditions for equivocation, and the protocol incorporates a unique fork-choice rule to recover from prover failures.

Cairo natively supports STARK-provable computations with built-in primitives for zero-knowledge proofs. Its ownership model prevents reentrancy attacks common in Solidity, and account abstraction is protocol-level rather than contract-based. The language enables formal verification of complex logic at compile-time, significantly reducing security audit requirements.

The program distributed STRK to 1.3 million addresses encompassing developers, Ethereum contributors, and open-source maintainers. Allocation prioritized non-sybil contributions through identity verification, with gasless claiming reducing barriers. This creates a broad validator pool while enabling community-led governance initiatives.

Yes. Through Lombard's LBTC integration, Bitcoin can be trustlessly staked to generate yield on Starknet. Garden Bridge enables 30-second BTC transfers. These allow Bitcoin holders to participate in lending protocols like zkLend and decentralized exchanges like Ekubo without selling BTC.

AppChains isolate application-specific risks while maintaining shared security via Ethereum settlement. They enable custom gas fee markets to prevent congestion-based attacks and allow whitelisted access controls. Critical infrastructures like Paradex derivatives exchange operate as AppChains with specialized fraud proofs without exposing the main chain.