Starknet, an innovative Ethereum scaling solution utilizing zero-knowledge layer-2 technology, is poised to take a significant leap toward full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. This advancement comes with the anticipated release of their new testnet, Kakarot, scheduled for August.

Known for its function as a prominent Zero Knowledge roll-up within the Ethereum space, Starknet currently relies on its proprietary language, Cairo. Despite Cairo’s capacity to simplify and expedite code development, maintenance, and review, its lack of EVM compatibility creates a barrier for some developers, according to Elias Tazartes, Kakarot CEO and co-founder.

The introduction of Kakarot will address this obstacle, making Starknet accessible to a broader spectrum of developers. By functioning as a Solidity or other language engine, Kakarot will enable Starknet to offer EVM compatibility, a significant step towards more inclusive, effective solutions.

Starknet’s present architecture utilizes a custom-built Cairo VM for its smart contract functionalities. However, this setup doesn’t natively offer EVM compatibility, which could be a potential bottleneck for overall rollup performance. This limitation becomes more prominent when considering developers working on large-scale projects like DEX or AMM for the Ethereum ecosystem, already comprising tens of thousands of lines of audited EVM-compatible code.

The transition to Starknet, in this case, would necessitate an entirely new development team, dual code base maintenance, and code re-auditing – a prohibitively costly process. The integration of Kakarot zkEVM will resolve this issue, eliminating the need for expensive overhauls while promoting smoother project transitions.

The concept of the zkEVM was first introduced at a Starkware conference in July 2022, with the development team commencing work on the project by October during a hacker house event in Lisbon, Portugal. By December, the coding phase was completed, resulting in a fully operational execution layer, all accomplished without the support of venture funding.

Interestingly, the project later attracted investments from figures like Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Ledger co-founder Nicholas Bacca, thanks to its unique approach to expanding the Ethereum ecosystem. For investors like Buterin, a diversified architecture in the Ethereum space is seen as a positive development, as it drives growth and fosters innovation within the sector.

Tazartes anticipates the public launch of the testnet version of Kakarot this August, marking a significant milestone in Ethereum’s Layer-2 development and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Ethereum ecosystem.