Starknet’s v0.14.1 upgrade brings faster blocks, BLAKE hash, and JSON-RPC improvements; The STRK token is still trading near multi-week lows after major moves.
Summary
- Starknet’s v0.14.1 upgrade transitions the network to the BLAKE hash family, following SNIP-34, for better proof efficiency and reducing costs for developers.
- The upgrade introduces logic for faster block closure during low activity and improves JSON-RPC formatting for improved tooling and indexers.
- Despite advances in infrastructure, the STRK token price remains low and is underperforming the broader crypto market, according to data from CoinGecko and DeFiLlama.
Starknet deployed its mainnet upgrade v0.14.1 on November 25, according to an announcement from StarkWare, the development company behind the Ethereum Layer 2 network.
The updatedeveloped by StarkWare and the Starknet core team, it introduces faster block production during periods of low network activity, a new hash function standard, and an improved JSON-RPC stack, according to the company’s post on X.
The upgrade implements a full transition from Poseidon to the BLAKE hash family for compiled_class_hash. The change follows the SNIP-34 standard and aligns the network with the Stwo-prover architecture, StarkWare said. The company stated that the change is intended to reduce proof costs for developers.
Starknet update brings new standards
The update includes logic to close blocks more quickly when network activity is low, with the aim of reducing user wait times during quiet periods. Nodes are now adopting JSON-RPC v0.10.0, which updates the delivery of state differences, events, and subscriptions, providing a standardized format for indexers and tooling teams.
StarkNet’s public calendars indicate the upgrade is operational, marking another step in the network’s 2025 roadmap.
The implementation follows two major changes to Starknet’s infrastructure. On November 5, the team deployed its Stwo prover to the mainnet, replacing the previous proof system.
As of November 26, the native STRK (STRK) token was trading near multi-week lows, with 24-hour trading volume on major exchanges reaching hundreds of millions of dollars, according to market data. CoinGecko data shows a notable decline over the seven-day period, with the token underperforming compared to the broader cryptocurrency market and other smart contract tokens in the same time frame.
According to historical price data, the token remains significantly below its 2024 peak.
DeFiLlama data tracks Starknet’s total decentralized financial value, captured in tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. According to the platform, Stablecoin balances on the network have increased modestly over the past month.
Over the past 24 hours, decentralized trading volumes on the network have been modest compared to perpetual futures volume, indicating substantial derivatives activity within the ecosystem, according to trading data.
