Starknet, the ZK scaling solution for Ethereum, has deployed its version 0.13.4 on Testnet with improvements to contract execution and cost reduction.
Starknet, a leading Layer 2 solution for Ethereum based on zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, has deployed its version 0.13.4 on the testnet.
The update, scheduled to be deployed to mainnet on March 17, includes technical optimizations designed to speed up the execution of smart contracts, reduce fees, and simplify the work of developers. New features include: Cairo-Native, a compiler that removes dependency on the Cairo virtual machine, and data compression mechanisms to make on-chain storage cheaper.
BUY STARKNET ON BIT2MESeeking greater adoption through its improvements
Technology ZK-Rollup Starknet bundles multiple off-chain transactions and validates them on Ethereum using cryptographic proofs, a model that seeks to solve scalability issues. However, until now, technical limitations such as storage costs and complexity in contract execution have posed challenges.
Version 0.13.4 addresses these issues with improvements that could increase the adoption of decentralized applications (dApps) into its ecosystem. According to the developers, these updates are a step towards implementing a dynamic fee market and a distributed sequencer in future versions.
An engine for faster and cheaper smart contracts
The cornerstone of this update Cairo-Native is a compiler that transforms code Sierra – the intermediate language of Starknet contracts – directly into native machine instructions, avoiding the use of the Cairo virtual machine, Cairo VMThis improvement reduces the execution time of complex operations by up to 60%, according to internal tests. In addition, by running natively, contracts consume fewer computational resources, which will translate into lower fees for users.
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On the other hand, Cairo-Native introduces a new cost measurement model based on "L2 gas“, which calculates fees based on the actual complexity of operations rather than fixed estimates. This allows for more accurate allocation of network resources.
Developers who update their contracts to Sierra 1.7.0 will be able to take advantage of these benefits, although initially only a select group of contracts will be whitelisted for controlled testing.
Starknet reduces storage costs by up to 40%
One of the most significant overheads on blockchain networks is data storage. However, Starknet v0.13.4 implements a stateful compression system that indexes repeated storage keys. For example, if a contract address appears multiple times in state updates, it is replaced by a short numeric identifier after its first mention. This is a new mechanism that, combined with advanced encoding techniques, will reduce the size of data blobs sent to Ethereum in each batch.
Additionally, the upgrade also includes a new contract at address 0x2 that manages a global index registry for common keys. According to the team's estimates, this could reduce storage costs by 30% to 40%, especially benefiting dApps with high transaction volumes, such as decentralized exchanges or NFT platforms.
BUY STRK HERENew APIs and the future tariff market
Starknet 0.13.4 also introduces changes to its interface RPC (Remote Call Protocol), discontinuing versions prior to 0.6.0 and adding support for web sockets, which facilitates real-time monitoring of blocks and transactions. In addition, the update of the standard Wallet-DApp allows applications to interact with wallets without relying on specific library versions, speeding up development.
All of these tweaks are precursors to version 0.14.0, expected in Q2025 2, which will include a dynamic fee market and a distributed sequencer. The latter will allow blocks to be processed in 12 seconds, compared to the current 15-XNUMX, using a system that prioritizes transactions based on the offered fees, similar to the Ethereum model.
The key to the evolution of ZK-Rollups
Starknet version 0.13.4 represents a key technical advancement in the evolution of ZK-Rollups. By optimizing contract execution with Cairo-Native and reducing storage costs through advanced compression, the platform positions itself as a more efficient alternative for Ethereum developers and users.
GO TO BIT2ME LIFEWith an eye toward future upgrades like the distributed sequencer and fee market, Starknet is looking to close the performance gap against competitors like Arbitrum and Optimism. In the meantime, the March 17 Mainnet rollout will serve as a litmus test for these innovations, the real impact of which will be measured in the network’s ability to sustain high-traffic applications without sacrificing decentralization or security.
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