Starknet Introduces $25 Million Token Incentive for Leading Projects

The Starknet Foundation has unveiled its Catalyst program, which will distribute 20 million Starknet (STRK) tokens to the most advanced projects on the network. This initiative aims to foster innovation on Starknet’s Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution, which utilizes zero-knowledge rollup technology. The grants will be divided into two categories, distinguishing between advanced-stage projects and emerging projects. The selection of the top-performing projects was based on various factors, evaluated by both the Stark Foundation and an independent third party. Notable projects that have qualified for the grants include Ekubo, AVNU, Influence, Realms, Nostra, and ZKX. These grants will further drive the development of user-facing protocols, particularly in the areas of gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi). Starknet currently ranks as the seventh-largest Ethereum layer 2 network, with over $1.08 billion in total value locked (TVL). The foundation’s funding program for developers follows its recent announcement of a $5 million seed grants program, which aims to support promising teams with $25,000 USD Coin (USDC) each. The Starknet Foundation intends to continue offering grant programs in the future as part of its Catalyst program.