Starknet v0.14.2 Brings Native Privacy Infrastructure to Mainnet

Starknet v0.14.2 (live April 21, 2026) introduces native in‑protocol STARK proof verification (SNIP-36), enabling confidential transactions and shielded assets on mainnet. The upgrade enables STRK20 (private ERC‑20 tokens) and strkBTC (private BTC access to Starknet DeFi), while SNIP-37 rebalances network economics by raising storage costs and lowering base L2 gas prices. A compliance viewing‑key model is included for regulated disclosures. Market impact: the changes should make Starknet more attractive for privacy-conscious users and BTC liquidity (potentially boosting on‑chain activity and DeFi TVL on Starknet), reduce per‑transfer gas friction for users, and increase use cases for ETH-denominated activity on L2s. The compliance layer and higher storage costs moderate regulatory and economic risks. Overall implications are broadly positive for Starknet ecosystem growth and could be bullish for ETH usage on layer‑2s and BTC integration into Starknet DeFi.