In this 30th Starknet Community Call, the focus was on Starknet governance, marking the beginning of a new phase for the network. The call featured three key speakers: Manor from StarkWare, Silv from Briq, and Devin from Nethermind. They discussed the initial steps for implementing governance within the Starknet ecosystem.
Key Highlights:
1. Introduction to Starknet Governance:
– Manor introduced the broader context of Starknet governance, emphasizing the need for a gradual, community-driven approach. Starknet is currently in its early stages, with a focus on improving performance and beginning the decentralization process.
2. Governance Structure:
– Foundation and Committee: Starknet now has a foundation separate from StarkWare, tasked with guiding the network towards its decentralized vision. The governance committee, including Manor, Silv, and Devin, was formed to propose the first phase of governance.
– First Phase Overview: The first phase of governance will last approximately six to nine months. It will focus on protocol upgrades, where the Starknet Foundation will propose topics for community voting. The main voting groups include token holders, the Builders Council, and other delegates.
3. Builders Council:
– Silv explained the role of the Builders Council, a group of 17 ecosystem builders, including members from projects like Cartridge and Snapshot. The council represents early adopters and builders, holding 23% of the overall voting power delegated by the Starknet Foundation. The council’s role is to discuss and vote on protocol upgrades during this initial phase.
4. Delegation Process:
– Devin described the delegation system, where token holders who do not wish to vote directly can delegate their voting power to others. This system allows community members to gain influence based on reputation rather than token holdings. Delegation is continuous, with token holders retaining the ability to override votes if needed.
5. Governance Challenges and Testing:
– The speakers acknowledged the experimental nature of this governance phase, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and gradual implementation. While there is no direct testnet for governance, the gradual approach serves as a way to test and refine governance mechanisms.
6. Community Involvement:
– The discussion highlighted the need for active community participation in governance discussions, primarily through the Starknet Community Forum. The goal is to ensure that governance evolves with broad input and consensus from the community.
Conclusion:
The call emphasized the importance of community-driven governance as Starknet continues its development. The initial phase will focus on protocol upgrades, with voting power distributed among the Builders Council, token holders, and delegates. The governance structure is designed to be flexible, allowing for adjustments based on community feedback and the evolving needs of the network.
