# StarkWare Proposes Bitcoin Layer 2 Scaling via OP_CAT

**Published:** 2026-08-28T07:55:30.316Z  
**Topic:** Layer 2 Scaling  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b41f42c9-271a-4040-b972-3803f58b7ed1

StarkWare aims to scale Bitcoin to thousands of transactions per second using Starknet, contingent on the potential adoption of the OP_CAT upgrade.

StarkWare has unveiled a proposal to integrate Starknet as a Layer 2 scaling solution for Bitcoin, aiming to enable thousands of transactions per second by leveraging the potential OP_CAT network upgrade [1]. The initiative seeks to bridge the Ethereum-based network with Bitcoin, positioning Starknet as a dual-settlement layer to expand Bitcoin’s utility for global payments [1].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Proposed Scaling | Thousands of TPS |
| Catalyst | Potential OP_CAT upgrade |
| Research Fund | $1 million |
| Primary Goal | Bitcoin mass usage |

## Scaling Bitcoin through STARKs
StarkWare’s vision centers on implementing a STARK verifier within Bitcoin Script, a move that would require the adoption of OP_CAT, a proposed Bitcoin Improvement Proposal [1]. If implemented, this would allow for self-custodial movement of assets between Bitcoin and Starknet, effectively creating a Layer 2 that settles on both Bitcoin and Ethereum [1]. StarkWare has committed $1 million to a new research fund to evaluate the implications of OP_CAT adoption, while also collaborating with L2 Iterative Ventures and the ZeroSync Foundation on open-source covenant and verifier development [1].

The company’s interest in Bitcoin scaling is not new; CEO Eli Ben-Sasson noted that the concept of STARK scaling for blockchains originated at a 2013 Bitcoin conference, predating the launch of Ethereum [1]. StarkWare’s next-generation prover-verifier, Stwo, is designed to operate over the M31 finite field, which the company claims is optimized for compatibility with Bitcoin Script [1].

## Quantum-Safe Transaction Milestones
Beyond Layer 2 scaling, StarkWare recently announced the successful mining of the first quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction on the mainnet [2]. This method, dubbed Quantum-Safe Bitcoin (QSB), utilizes hash-based security to protect funds against potential future quantum computing threats without requiring changes to Bitcoin’s existing consensus rules [2]. 

While QSB offers a mechanism for users to secure their holdings against quantum-capable adversaries, StarkWare maintains that a soft fork remains the preferred long-term solution for network-wide quantum resistance [2]. This development arrives as industry estimates suggest approximately 7 million Bitcoin could be vulnerable to quantum attacks due to exposed public keys and address reuse [2].

## What to watch
*   **OP_CAT Adoption:** Monitor for community and developer consensus regarding the potential OP_CAT upgrade, which StarkWare identifies as the primary technical prerequisite for its proposed Layer 2 implementation [1].
*   **Research Outcomes:** Watch for findings from the $1 million research fund, which is tasked with detailing the technical pros and cons of integrating OP_CAT into the Bitcoin network [1].
*   **Quantum Security Trends:** Observe further developments in hash-based security measures as researchers continue to address the estimated 7 million Bitcoin potentially exposed to future quantum computing risks [2].

StarkWare’s pivot toward Bitcoin integration represents a strategic attempt to expand its STARK-based scaling technology beyond the Ethereum ecosystem. Whether the Bitcoin community will embrace the necessary protocol upgrades to facilitate this vision remains the central uncertainty for the project's roadmap.

## Sources
1. Starkware — [Scaling Bitcoin for mass use: A realistic vision - StarkWare](https://starkware.co/blog/scaling-bitcoin-for-mass-use/)
2. Decrypt — [Bitcoin Completes First Experimental Quantum-Safe Transaction, Starkware Says](https://decrypt.co/376767/bitcoin-quantum-safe-transaction-starkware)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "StarkWare Proposes Bitcoin Layer 2 Scaling via OP_CAT", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b41f42c9-271a-4040-b972-3803f58b7ed1