Starknet to launch STRK staking v2 on mainnet on June 17

Staring June 17, Starknet will launch STRK Staking v2, the next stage of its staking program, on the mainnet, introducing new performance and incentive systems for delegators and validators.

The upgrade was announced on June 10 via Starknet’s (STRK) official X account. Staking v2 introduces block attestation and commission adjustments, two major features that will improve validator reliability and reward fairness. Under block attestation, validators must confirm randomly chosen blocks in each epoch to prove they’re online and tracking the network. 

Those who fail to do so will not receive rewards, and their delegators lose out as well. This ensures validators are active and prepares them for future consensus responsibilities expected by the end of 2025.

The second key feature changes how validator commissions work. Under the new system, validators can commit to a maximum commission cap for a set period, up to one year. Although they are free to reduce fees whenever they want, they are unable to raise them above the stated cap until the commitment period is over.

During the upgrade, Starknet will temporarily pause staking contracts to facilitate a smooth transition. Delegators don’t need to do anything, but once Staking v2 goes live, they’ll be able to view validator performance data and switch validators at any time without delay.

This marks the second phase of Starknet’s staking rollout. The first phase began in November 2024, allowing users with at least 20,000 STRK to stake and earn rewards. Full validator consensus will be introduced in a third phase scheduled for late 2025.

The upgrade arrives alongside several major ecosystem developments, including Ethereum (ETH) Virtual Machine wallet support and a custom Bitcoin (BTC) bridge expected by the end of Q2. Bitcoin staking is also set to launch later this year.

By upgrading its staking system while live, Starknet is one of the first Layer 2 networks to shift validator responsibilities toward greater decentralization. These changes support its push toward “Stage 1” decentralization, reducing dependence on centralized sequencers while improving network security, transparency, and fairness.