Bitcoin Staking Integration Boosts Demand

The biggest driver behind the surge is Starknet’s new Bitcoin staking integration, which went live on September 30, 2025. The feature lets users stake tokenized versions of Bitcoin – such as WBTC – to earn STRK rewards directly on the Starknet network.

So far, more than $63 million in BTC has been staked, representing about 25% of total consensus power. The network also launched a 100 million STRK reward pool under its “BTCFi Season” program, designed to attract new Bitcoin liquidity.

This move links Bitcoin’s large capital base with Starknet’s growing DeFi ecosystem, creating a positive feedback loop: more staked BTC means more network security and higher STRK demand for staking and rewards.

Network Upgrades Show Progress – and Some Risks

Starknet’s v0.14.0 upgrade, released in September, introduced key features such as decentralized sequencing and subsecond pre-confirmations, making transactions faster and more reliable. These changes are a big step toward full decentralization, an important milestone for any rollup competing in the Layer 2 space.

However, the rollout wasn’t completely smooth. Shortly after the upgrade, the network experienced a temporary chain outage, raising some concerns about stability. Developers have since restored full functionality, but traders are keeping a close eye on whether future updates can avoid similar issues.

If Starknet maintains this technical momentum, it could strengthen its position against rivals like zkSync and Scroll, especially among developers seeking low-latency execution and scalability.

Token Unlocks Still a Headwind

While today’s rally reflects growing excitement around Starknet’s technology, token unlocks remain a potential obstacle. About 38.2% of STRK’s 10 billion supply – allocated to early contributors and investors – will continue unlocking monthly until March 2027.

Until March 2025, around 64 million STRK (roughly $11.3 million at current prices) will unlock every month. After that, the amount doubles to 127 million STRK per month, which could add steady selling pressure if recipients decide to take profits.

Still, if Starknet’s user base expands through Bitcoin staking and DeFi integrations, the extra supply could be absorbed by growing market demand.