Starknet v0.14.4 Upgrade: How SNIP-36 Enables 1.1B L2 Gas & Full-Block Proving

The Starknet v0.14.4 upgrade went live on mainnet on 5 October 2026, and its headline change lets one proven transaction represent up to 1.1 billion L2 gas of computation. That is roughly the size of a full Starknet block. 

This is not a fee cut for everyday users. It is a new ceiling for builders who need heavy computation settled on Layer 2. Below is what changed, who benefits, and how the Starknet (STRK) price has reacted since the release.

Key Takeaways

• Starknet v0.14.4 reached mainnet on 5 October 2026 after a testnet release on 15 September 2026.
• SNIP-36 now supports proofs of single transaction virtual blocks up to 1.1 billion L2 gas, where earlier proofs were limited to small workloads.
• STRK trades near $0.055 on 9 October 2026, up about 35% in seven days, with a 127 million token unlock due on 15 October.

What Changed in the Starknet v0.14.4 Upgrade?

The Starknet mainnet release is deliberately small. It carries one new capability that users can see, plus pricing adjustments and internal work that most people will never notice. 

The STRK upgrade first reached testnet on 15 September 2026, which gave builders and infrastructure providers three weeks to test before the mainnet switch.

Here's what shipped in the Starknet v0.14.4 mainnet upgrade:

• SNIP-36 can now prove single transaction virtual blocks of up to 1.1 billion L2 gas.
• Gas pricing weights were realigned with the real costs carried by the sequencer and the network.
• Six legacy feeder gateway endpoints were removed, including call and get_storage_at.
• The block committer moved into the Apollo sequencer processes.
• The new verifier rejects proofs generated under v0.14.3.

The pricing change is about cost alignment, not a fee increase. Based on three months of mainnet traffic, it moves fees by less than 1% for the vast majority of transactions. 

The block committer used to run as a centralised component with separate fact storage, and it now runs inside the same place where the Apollo sequencer processes Starknet blocks. 

Traders had been positioning around the release for days, which is part of why the Starknet price is rising this month.

How Does SNIP-36 Full Block Proving Work?

SNIP-36 lets an application run logic outside the normal execution flow, generate a proof that the logic ran correctly, and submit that proof inside one transaction. 

Until now, this client side proving flow only handled small virtual blocks. Full block proving on Starknet removes that ceiling.

A Starknet 1.1 billion L2 gas proof has to meet three conditions. The virtual block must contain a single transaction, it must avoid syscalls that the virtual operating system does not support, and it must fit within the L2 gas limits of a regular Starknet block. 

When those conditions hold, an application can compress logic that would never fit in a regular transaction and pay for it as a proof instead of paying for every execution step.

The 1.1 billion figure does not hand ordinary transactions more gas. It describes how large a proven workload can be. Scale has a cost. Large proofs take up to one to two minutes to generate, compared with three to five seconds for the small proofs used today. 

They also use a separate prover entry point, while the existing small proof path stays optimised for private transactions.

For compute heavy dApps on Layer 2, Starknet block sized proofs open the door to heavier computation and confidential applications. That last group adds weight to the question of whether Starknet is benefiting from the privacy narrative.

To follow STRK as the upgrade settles in, sign up on Bitrue and track the market in real time.

What Do Developers and Node Operators Need to Do?

The upgrade is light for users but strict for anyone running infrastructure. Full nodes must run Pathfinder v0.24.0 or Juno v0.16.6 to stay in sync with the upgraded network. 

Operators of SNIP-36 provers had to upgrade in the same window as the network, because the new verifier does not accept older proofs and two prover versions cannot run side by side.

Transactions now consume a different amount of L2 gas than they did under v0.14.3, so fee estimates must come from a v0.14.4 node. 

Tools that still call the removed feeder gateway endpoints need to migrate to current interfaces. Requests for preconfirmed blocks must also use the newer delta protocol, since the old polling method is no longer served.

How is STRK Trading After the Mainnet Release?

STRK trades near $0.055 on 9 October 2026, a gain of about 35% over seven days while the wider crypto market has slipped. 

The past 24 hours alone produced a range of about $0.048 to $0.062, a swing of close to 30% from low to high. Market capitalisation sits near $410 million against a circulating supply of about 7.42 billion STRK.

Daily volume has exceeded $100 million, which means at least a quarter of the market capitalisation changed hands in a single day. 

Turnover that high points to speculative positioning as much as conviction buying. The STRK live price charts show how quickly momentum can flip inside a single session.

The upgrade is not the only driver. Bitcoin liquidity initiatives on Starknet have added a second narrative, and fresh discussion about Starknet weighing a move to Layer 1 status to speed up its quantum security plans has drawn more attention this week. 

The rebound also starts from a depressed base. STRK set an all time low near $0.022 on 18 August 2026 and remains more than 98% below its all time high.

What Risks Should STRK Traders Watch?

Supply is the first risk. A scheduled unlock of 127 million STRK on 15 October, about 1.3% of total supply, will reach early contributors and investors. Each unlock adds potential selling pressure.

Leverage is the second. Perpetual contracts are trading at about four times spot volume, and open interest equals roughly 40% of market capitalisation. 

Positioning that heavy can exaggerate moves in both directions, which is worth remembering before opening STRK futures positions.

Adoption is the third. SNIP-36 remains an evolving feature with limits on supported syscalls, and the larger proofs only create value if applications use them. Lasting demand for STRK depends on builders shipping products that need block sized proofs.

How to Trade STRK on Bitrue

STRK is listed on Bitrue, which gives traders a secure, KYC verified venue to act on the upgrade. The process takes five steps, and the full walkthrough on how to buy Starknet (STRK) covers each one in more detail.

1. Create a Bitrue account and complete KYC verification.
2. Fund the account with USDT or another supported asset.
3. Browse the markets and open the STRK/USDT trading pair.
4. Place a market order for instant execution or a limit order at your chosen price.
5. Decide whether to keep STRK on the exchange or withdraw it to a self custody wallet.

Volatility around upgrades and unlocks can be sharp, so position sizes deserve care.

Conclusion

Starknet v0.14.4 is a focused release with one clear contribution. Full block proving lets SNIP-36 carry up to 1.1 billion L2 gas in a single proven transaction, which gives builders room for far heavier applications. 

The market has responded, yet STRK remains volatile, leverage is elevated, and a token unlock is days away. Traders who want a longer view can read this Starknet (STRK) price prediction, then use Bitrue to trade STRK with simple order tools and strong account security.

FAQ

When Did Starknet v0.14.4 Go Live on Mainnet?

Starknet v0.14.4 went live on mainnet on 5 October 2026.

What is SNIP-36?

SNIP-36 is a Starknet proposal that lets applications prove computation off chain and submit it as one proven transaction.

What Does the 1.1 Billion L2 Gas Figure Mean?

It is the maximum size of a single transaction virtual block that SNIP-36 can now prove, roughly equal to a full Starknet block.

Does the Upgrade Change Fees for Regular Users?

Pricing weight changes affect the vast majority of transactions by less than 1%.

Can I Trade STRK on Bitrue?

Yes, STRK is available on Bitrue against USDT.

Disclaimer: The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.