Exploring Web3 Innovations with Starknet: Insight from Gnana Lakshmi on Blockchain Development's Evolution, Hurdles, and Prospects
In Brief
Gnana Lakshmi, commonly referred to as Gyan, is a Developer Advocate at the Starknet Foundation. In this discussion, she highlights the advancements within India's Web3 ecosystem, the unique duties of StarkEx and Starknet, the benefits associated with the STARK token, and the promising future of gaming in this space.
Recently, we had the opportunity to chat with Gnana Lakshmi, affectionately known as Gyan, a Developer Advocate at the Starknet Foundation, in anticipation of the forthcoming events. Our discussion focused on her perspectives regarding the transformation of the Web3 sector in India, the unique positions of StarkEx and Starknet, the advantages presented by the STARK token, and the gaming landscape on Starknet. Gyan's commitment to education and innovation in technology is evident as she shares her involvement with the Starknet Foundation’s mission and her enthusiasm for Hack Seasons Brussels. Hack Seasons Brussels Many entrepreneurs find their calling due to a specific experience or event. What was it that sparked your interest in this field, and how has your enthusiasm evolved over the years?
Hello! I’m Gnana Lakshmi, but you can call me Gyan. I operate out of Bangalore, India, serving as a developer advocate for the Starknet Foundation. My journey within the Web3 domain began a few years ago, around 2017-2018.
I kick-started my career as a freelance security developer, gradually delving into various roles that blend blockchain, education, and technology. My core interests revolve around education and the latest technological advancements, which is why I am drawn to positions in this area. The dynamic nature of blockchain offers endless avenues for learning and imparting knowledge, which is the essence of what excites me about Web3.
Over the past few years, I've collaborated with numerous protocols and organizations to develop educational content and assist many developers in onboarding into the field. This endeavor aligns perfectly with my passion for fostering knowledge and embracing new technologies.
Currently, at Starknet, I am thrilled to further my interests by crafting educational resources, conducting workshops, and engaging with the developer community. It's gratifying to have the chance to intertwine my educational pursuits with my passion for technology and blockchain.
Can you share what your first project was and what motivated you to step into this sector?
Reflecting on my inaugural project, my experience in Web3 has been rich and diverse. My first foray into Solidity happened during a hackathon where I worked on a project dedicated to recording land and property data on the blockchain. The pursuit of transparency in the real estate sector is a pressing issue worldwide, including in India, and my goal was to tackle this challenge.
This project marked my initial plunge into blockchain development, and I was thrilled to see it win the hackathon. At that time, the knowledge of Solidity and blockchain was still limited, which added to the intrigue. The concept of decentralizing infrastructure and enhancing transparency within an ecosystem felt both revolutionary and captivating.
What’s your perspective on the current state of the Web3 industry in India?
The Web3 sector in India is undergoing remarkable expansion and catching the interest of many. A considerable number of developers and users are diving into a variety of use cases and applications associated with Web3 technologies. India is ideally positioned to harness the transparency and value generation potential that Web3 promotes.
In fact, India has birthed several remarkable Web3 developers and even a handful of unicorns within this space. The burgeoning interest and advancements are apparent. Yet, there remains a pressing need to educate junior developers on creating practical and impactful applications of Web3, going beyond mere programming skills. This focus on education is crucial for the sustained growth and evolution of India's Web3 ecosystem.
What motivated StarkWare to create both StarkEx and Starknet, and what unique roles do each serve?
StarkEx predates Starknet and serves a distinct function. StarkEx acts as a private solution, designed to function as an app-specific roll-up that caters to clients with a more controlled environment. It has been utilized by a range of companies, including Immutable X and SORA, which continue to gain value from its roll-up services.
Seeing StarkEx's success and the impressive capabilities of the STARK protocols paved the way for the concept of a more open, decentralized solution that could be accessible to all. Thus, Starknet was born. While StarkEx employs STARK to create proofs and bundle transactions for settlement across various layers, Starknet expands this capability to a wider audience.
Starknet aims to be a permissionless and decentralized Layer 2 (L2) solution that enhances Ethereum's scalability and is open to everyone. Its open nature fosters collaboration among developers and users, allowing them to build and benefit from the network collectively, which drives both scalability and its growth. Thus, Starknet differs from StarkEx, which acts as a private service, whereas Starknet is a public, decentralized platform designed for broad Ethereum scalability.
Could you provide some insights on why the STARK token was chosen as the fee token for Starknet instead of Ether? What are the pros and cons of this decision?
Initially, Ether (ETH) was utilized for transaction fees on Starknet prior to the launch of the Stark token. However, introducing the Stark token offered a practical reason: to bolster the public aspect of Starknet's growth and to reward those contributing to its infrastructure. As Starknet is open-source, it’s essential to incentivize those who actively develop and maintain open-source technology.
You can view the Stark token as a way to establish independence for the roll-up. It emphasizes that Starknet is open and decentralized. Having a native token encourages and rewards builders within the network. Currently, both Stark tokens and ETH are accepted for gas fees since ETH was already in circulation. Users retain the choice to cover gas fees with ETH while also having the option to pay with Stark tokens.
What benefits does this dual system provide?
In terms of advantages, maintaining both tokens provides flexibility. Individuals without Stark tokens can still engage with Starknet by bridging ETH and getting started right away. The Stark token promotes interaction across various decentralized applications (dApps) on Starknet, boosting its circulation and simplifying gas fees for users with existing tokens.
In the future, based on community input and governance decisions, we may opt to rely solely on Stark tokens for gas fees or continue supporting both. At present, bridging ETH from the mainnet to L2 is uncomplicated, enhancing user experience and promoting decentralized interactions. Nonetheless, the Stark token lays the groundwork for alternative strategies concerning fee structures linked to the native token of the chain. This dual-token system is why we are accommodating both types of tokens for gas fees.
What motivated the creation of both zk-STARK and zk-SNARK standards, and why did the company ultimately favor zk-STARK?
The STARK protocol emerged from the mind of Ali Ben-Sassoun, a scholar who conducted extensive research into the realm of STARKs, with contributions from many others. I’ve also previously worked with SNARKs.
I've been focused on STARKs for several months, if not years. The zk-STARK variant is gaining traction both within our team and among other firms. For instance, zkSync has introduced a project called Boojum utilizing zk-STARKs. Additionally, Miden, which was recently acquired by Polygon, is heavily engaged with zk-STARKs. The advantages of zk-STARKs, particularly regarding scalability, are compelling.
Zk-STARKs demonstrate quantum resistance due to their reliance on collusion-resistant hashing techniques. Ongoing efforts aim to enhance proof size and generate faster proofs for STARKs. Their efficiency in handling larger payloads is notable, making them a good fit for comprehensive ZK rollups.
Unlike SNARKs, STARKs are inherently decentralized, eliminating the need for a trusted setup. This simplification streamlines both the programming and user experience, facilitating the development of scalable applications.
The journey towards developing zk-STARKs required extensive research, but they offer significant advantages over zk-SNARKs. A range of companies, including StarkWare, aims to leverage these advancements for their initiatives.
Starknet requires the use of the Cairo programming language, which isn't EVM-compatible. What are the benefits of Cairo despite lacking EVM compatibility?
When discussing validity rollups or rollups based on zero-knowledge proofs, the strength of these rollups lies in their capacity to increase scaling through the use of zero-knowledge proofs. These proofs utilize complex mathematics to confirm the correctness and validity of specific transaction sets.
To utilize these rollups efficiently, an advanced virtual machine (VM) is necessary for generating these proofs. The VM we employ is known as Cairo VM, which stands for CPU-CPU Algebraic Intermediate Representation -0, hence the name Cairo. This virtual machine is uniquely tailored for optimal proof generation.
Pushing the Boundaries of Web3 with Starknet: Insights from Gnana Lakshmi on Blockchain Development's Evolution, Obstacles, and Prospects - Metaverse Post
In her role as a Developer Advocate for the Starknet Foundation, Gyan shares her thoughts on how India's Web3 landscape is evolving, the integral roles of StarkEx and Starknet, the benefits of the STARK token, and how gaming might shape the future.
Exploring the Future of Web3 with Starknet: Gnana Lakshmi Discusses Blockchain Development's Challenges and Opportunities
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Recently, we had the chance to chat with Gnana Lakshmi, affectionately known as Gyan, who serves as a Developer Advocate at the Starknet Foundation. Our discussion took place just before the much-anticipated event. We explored her views on the progression of the Web3 sector in India, the distinctive roles StarkEx and Starknet play, the perks of the STARK token, and the promising future gaming holds within Starknet. Gyan's passion for education and her commitment to emerging technologies truly shine through in her discussions about her work with the Starknet Foundation and her enthusiasm for the upcoming Hack Seasons in Brussels.
What particular moment motivated you to enter this field, and how has your enthusiasm transformed over the years?
I'm called Gnana Lakshmi, but Gyan is a lot easier for everyone to use. Currently, I’m based in Bangalore, India, where I work as a Developer Advocate with the Starknet Foundation. My journey in the Web3 sphere began a few years back around 2017-2018.
I kick-started my career as a freelance security developer, gradually immersing myself in various roles that blend blockchain, education, and technology. My key interests circle around education alongside emerging tech, which is why I find myself drawn to positions in this cutting-edge space. The blockchain domain, with its rapid evolution, brims with opportunities for continuous learning and exploration—what excites me the most about Web3!
Over the past several years, I've collaborated with numerous protocols and companies, creating educational content and onboarding many developers into this vibrant ecosystem. This path has aligned seamlessly with my passion for teaching and advancing technology.
As a developer advocate at Starknet, I'm fortunate to channel my passions into building educational frameworks, leading workshops, and connecting with the developer community. My role allows me to merge my interests in education, tech, and blockchain in a meaningful way.
Can you share your very first project and what inspired you to dive into this field?
Reflecting on my journey in Web3, I realize how diverse and fulfilling it has been. My very first project in Solidity involved a small hackathon initiative aimed at digitizing land and real estate records on the blockchain. The issue of transparency in real estate is significant in many nations, including India, and I sought to provide a solution.
That initial project marked my debut into blockchain development, and it even clinched a prize at the hackathon. Back then, very few were acquainted with Solidity or blockchain tech, which made the experience all the more intriguing. The potential of utilizing technology for decentralized systems and enhancing transparency in industries was both novel and exhilarating for me.
What’s your take on the current trajectory of the Web3 industry in India?
How do you contribute to its vision?
Right now, the Web3 sector in India is undergoing remarkable expansion and drawing considerable interest. A vast community of developers and users is actively exploring various applications and use cases of Web3 tech. India, much like other developing regions, stands out as an ideal candidate for leveraging the transparency and value-proposition capabilities that Web3 provides.
India has already birthed several prominent Web3 developers and even a few unicorns intertwined with this tech. There’s evident enthusiasm and progress in this domain. Nonetheless, it's crucial to educate junior developers on how to create tangible and impactful applications within Web3, moving beyond just learning programming languages. This educational initiative is vital for ensuring the sustained growth and development of the Web3 ecosystem in India.
What prompted StarkWare to create both StarkEx and Starknet, and what distinct functions do they fulfill?
StarkEx was conceptualized long before Starknet and caters to a different need. It functions as a private offering, acting as an app-specific roll-up that provides services in a more regulated manner. Various companies, including Immutable X and SORA, are utilizing it to capitalize on its roll-up capabilities.
Absolutely, events like Hack Seasons Brussels Recognizing the success of StarkEx and the strong performance of STARK protocols, the vision emerged to develop a more permissionless, decentralized Layer 2 (L2) solution accessible to the public. This gave rise to Starknet. While StarkEx harnesses STARK technology to generate proofs and package them for settlement on diverse layers, Starknet broadens this capability for a wider audience.
Starknet aims to be a decentralized and permissionless L2 solution, enhancing Ethereum’s scalability while being open for everyone. Its public nature empowers developers and users alike to build and utilize the network collectively, significantly contributing to its scalability and overall growth. This marks a clear distinction between StarkEx, which operates as a private service, and Starknet, a public, decentralized platform designed to scale Ethereum for widespread adoption.
Can you elaborate on the choice of the STARK token as the fee currency for Starknet instead of Ether? What are the pros and cons of this decision?
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines Initially, we utilized Ether (ETH) for transaction fees on Starknet before introducing the Stark token. The STARK token was created with a compelling motive—to foster a more public development environment for Starknet and reward those who contribute to its infrastructure. Importantly, Starknet operates as an open-source platform, making it essential to incentivize participation in building and maintaining open-source technology.