Starknet has reached a new milestone in blockchain performance, setting a remarkable record for sustained transaction throughput. This achievement highlights the network's growing capacity and efficiency, positioning it as a leading Layer-2 scaling solution. Here’s a detailed look at how Starknet broke the record and what it means for the future of decentralized applications.
Understanding Starknet’s Performance Metrics
Blockchain scalability is often measured through three key indicators: transaction confirmation times, fees, and network capacity. Starknet has made significant strides in all three areas, with a particular emphasis on maximizing throughput.
On October 29, Starknet averaged 127 transactions per second (TPS) over a 24-hour period. This sustained high performance broke previous Layer-2 records and demonstrated the network’s ability to handle substantial transaction volumes without compromising speed or affordability.
Key Achievements in Performance
- Sustained Throughput: The 127 TPS average was maintained consistently throughout the entire day.
- Rapid Confirmations: Most transactions were confirmed in under two seconds, offering a near-instant user experience.
- Ultra-Low Fees: The average fee per transaction was approximately $0.002, making micro-transactions and high-frequency interactions economically viable.
This performance was tested in a real-world scenario during a high-engagement event, confirming that Starknet can deliver under actual user loads.
The Role of Cartridge’s Flippy Flop Game
The record-breaking TPS was achieved during the launch of Flippy Flop, a tile-flipping game developed by Cartridge. The game attracted a large number of players who performed rapid, repeated transactions—creating ideal conditions for stress-testing the network.
What made this event particularly noteworthy was not just the high TPS, but also the seamless user experience. Players enjoyed:
- No Wallet Requirements: Thanks to passkey integration, users could play without installing a wallet or managing seed phrases.
- Signature-Free Gameplay: Session keys allowed users to interact without signing every transaction.
- Zero Fees: A paymaster system covered transaction costs, so users faced no financial barriers to participation.
These features were made possible by Starknet’s native account abstraction, which simplifies user interactions while maintaining security.
Technical Optimizations Behind the Success
Starknet’s performance improvements are the result of multiple strategic upgrades rolled out over recent months. Key among these are:
Ethereum’s EIP-4844 Integration
Starknet was among the first Layer-2 networks to integrate EIP-4844 following Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade. This update introduced blob transactions, which significantly reduced data availability costs and helped drive down user fees.
The Bolt Upgrade (v0.13.2)
This upgrade introduced two major enhancements:
- Block Packing: By decoupling Layer-2 block frequency from Layer-1 costs, block packing reduced confirmation times and lowered fixed costs. This optimization also ensures that costs per user decrease as network activity increases.
- Parallel Execution: Inspired by Aptos’s Block-STM model, this feature allows the sequencer to process multiple independent transactions simultaneously. Starknet was the first L2 on mainnet to implement parallel execution, greatly increasing throughput.
These upgrades collectively enhanced transaction speed, reduced fees, and expanded network capacity.
What’s Next for Starknet?
Starknet’s roadmap includes several upcoming innovations aimed at further improving performance and scalability:
Stateless Compression
Scheduled for release in late 2024, stateless compression will reduce data availability costs even further. This will help keep fees low even during periods of high demand or increased Ethereum blob prices.
Cairo-Native Integration
A collaboration with LambdaClass and Nethermind, Cairo-Native will be integrated into Starknet’s sequencer. This is expected to deliver substantial performance gains and potentially increase TPS beyond current levels.
Stwo Prover
StarkWare’s next-generation prover, Stwo, is slated for release in mid-2025. It will be integrated with SHARP, Starknet’s proving mechanism, to reduce cloud costs and improve overall efficiency.
These developments will ensure that Starknet remains at the forefront of scalability innovation.
Why This Matters for Developers and Users
Starknet’s performance milestones are more than just technical achievements—they have practical implications for the broader blockchain ecosystem:
- Economic Feasibility: Low fees and high throughput make it viable to build and use applications ranging from DeFi protocols to blockchain games.
- User Experience: Faster confirmations and simplified interactions (like wallet-less access) reduce barriers to entry.
- Future-Proofing: Ongoing upgrades ensure that the network can support mass adoption as demand grows.
For developers, Starknet offers a robust environment for building scalable dApps. For users, it provides a fast, affordable, and intuitive onboarding experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is TPS in blockchain terms?
TPS stands for Transactions Per Second. It measures how many transactions a blockchain network can process within one second. Higher TPS values indicate greater scalability and efficiency.
How does Starknet achieve such low fees?
Starknet uses a combination of rollup technology, data compression, and Ethereum’s EIP-4844 blobs to minimize data costs. Features like stateless compression further reduce fees by optimizing how data is stored and verified.
Can Starknet handle mainstream adoption?
Yes. With its high TPS, low latency, and continuous upgrades, Starknet is designed to support large-scale applications and high user demand without sacrificing performance or affordability.
What makes Starknet different from other Layer-2 solutions?
Starknet leverages ZK-rollup technology and native account abstraction for enhanced security and usability. Its focus on parallel execution, fee reduction, and user experience sets it apart from alternatives.
Is Starknet compatible with Ethereum?
Yes. Starknet is built as a Layer-2 solution for Ethereum, meaning it benefits from Ethereum’s security while providing faster and cheaper transactions.
How can developers start building on Starknet?
Developers can use Starknet’s comprehensive documentation, SDKs, and developer tools to begin creating dApps. The network supports Cairo, a Rust-based language optimized for writing smart contracts.
Conclusion
Starknet’s record-breaking sustained TPS demonstrates its capacity to support high-throughput applications while maintaining low costs and fast confirmations. With a clear roadmap and ongoing innovations, it is well-positioned to drive the next wave of blockchain adoption. Whether you're a developer or an end-user, Starknet offers a scalable, efficient, and user-friendly platform for the future of decentralized technology.