TLDR

  • Mainnet freeze linked to a proving bug; chain rolled back to block 5,187,263.
  • Two-hour halt disrupted transactions and reignited questions about reliability.
  • Second outage since the Grinta upgrade increases pressure on Starknet’s performance.
  • Engineers testing protective measures; full post-mortem and recovery plan still pending.
  • Network expands with Bitcoin staking support despite ongoing stability challenges.

Starknet kicked off the week under fresh scrutiny after facing a mainnet freeze that lasted several hours. The layer-2 system stopped block production early Monday, and this disruption immediately impacted transaction processing. Furthermore, the incident reignited concerns about Starknet’s operational stability as the platform heads into 2026.

Starknet Block Production Stops Amid Proving Error

Starknet paused operations shortly before dawn when its systems detected a proving issue with a pending transaction. Engineers launched an investigation into the error, and the halt prevented new blocks from forming on the mainnet. As a result, users could not submit or finalize transactions while the team worked to secure chain integrity.

Developers subsequently traced the problem to a bug and assessed its impact on network performance. They conducted additional testing to confirm the error and determine safe recovery steps. While work progressed, block height remained frozen for more than two hours.

The team ultimately reverted the chain to block 5,187,263 and restored normal operations. Block production resumed after confirming state consistency across the network. Starknet later noted that some early-morning transactions might not have processed correctly during the restart window.

Second Major Outage Adds Pressure on Starknet Performance

This incident marked Starknet’s second notable disruption in recent months and brought new scrutiny to its reliability. The network previously experienced a longer outage in September following its Grinta upgrade. That event forced two chain reorganizations and reversed a significant batch of transactions.

Although Starknet uses zero-knowledge rollups to scale Ethereum activity, repeated halts have raised questions about its resilience. The system aims to deliver faster throughput, yet unplanned stops disrupt the user experience. Each disruption highlights the complexity of the underlying proving mechanisms.

The platform resumed operations on Monday, but it has not yet released a full technical report. Starknet stated it will publish details about the root causes and long-term safeguards. The community now awaits clarity on measures to prevent similar freezes.

Starknet Expands Features While Facing Stability Challenges

Starknet expanded its capabilities this year by introducing Bitcoin staking support on its network. Users can now stake Bitcoin natively on the layer-2 chain and earn STRK rewards in return. This expansion demonstrates the project’s effort to compete across multiple ecosystems.

The network also continues building tools to strengthen its rollup infrastructure. These updates aim to improve proving performance and reduce vulnerabilities in block production. Recent outages suggest upgrades may require further refinement.

Starknet still positions itself as a key scaling system for Ethereum, yet reliability remains essential for adoption. Market participants expect detailed assessments explaining the freezes and outlining corrective strategies. Therefore, the upcoming retrospective will play an important role in shaping confidence in Starknet’s roadmap.