Ethereum News Today: Buterin's STRK Unlock Defies Sell-Off Norms: Starknet's Vesting Strategy Curbs Market Jitters

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has unlocked another 6.29 million STRK tokens, valued at approximately $1.01 million, following a one-year vesting period. This marks the second major unlock of Starknet's native token for the developer, following a similar release of 2.1 million STRK in November 2024, which he subsequently deposited on Binance. The latest transfer, tracked by blockchain analytics platforms like Arkham and Lookonchain, originated from a locked token grant address to Buterin's Gnosis Safe wallet. The tokens are part of Starknet's ecosystem allocation, likely tied to early contributor or advisor distributions. This unlock aligns with Starknet's structured token release schedule, which includes monthly vesting for core contributors and investors over a multi-year period.

The market reaction to the unlock has been mixed. STRK's price fell 1.12% in the 24 hours following the announcement, trading at $0.16 as of October 9, 2025. However, analysts note that Buterin's past behavior-such as depositing tokens on exchanges-has historically influenced short-term sentiment without triggering sustained sell-offs. The Ethereum co-founder's recurring involvement with STRK reflects his early contributions to zero-knowledge rollup research, a foundational technology for Starknet. Notably, Buterin has not sold or transferred the newly unlocked tokens immediately, maintaining a watchful stance among market participants.

Starknet's tokenomics further contextualize the unlock. The platform's total supply of 10 billion STRK is allocated across core contributors (32.9%), StarkWare investors (17%), and the Starknet Foundation (50.1%). The foundation's 50.1% stake includes community provisions, rebates, and grants, with the latest unlock contributing to the gradual release of tokens over time. As of October 2025, approximately 4.3 billion STRK are in circulation, with the remaining supply subject to vesting schedules. The 6.29 million STRK unlock represents roughly 0.14% of the total supply, a relatively modest increase compared to earlier releases.

Market observers are also monitoring Starknet's broader ecosystem developments, which may offset short-term volatility. The network has seen growing staking activity, with over 601 million STRK tokens staked, representing $108.81 million in value. Additionally, Starknet's integration of Bitcoin staking features has attracted significant capital, with 510.2763 BTC (worth $63.77 million) deposited. These initiatives highlight the project's focus on real-world adoption and cross-chain interoperability, positioning it among leading Ethereum Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism.

Buterin's STRK activity echoes a broader trend in the crypto ecosystem: the interplay between token unlocks and market dynamics. While unlocks often trigger selling pressure, Starknet's structured vesting and community-driven allocations have mitigated sharp price corrections. The platform's 50.1% foundation allocation, combined with phased token releases, aims to balance liquidity with long-term sustainability. Analysts suggest that Buterin's continued engagement with STRK-whether through holding, donating, or staking-may reinforce market confidence in Starknet's governance and utility.

The Ethereum co-founder's actions also underscore the symbolic connection between core Ethereum developers and Layer 2 projects. Buterin's history of donating tokens to public goods funds and his advocacy for decentralized infrastructure align with Starknet's mission to enhance Ethereum's scalability. As the network transitions from a centralized sequencer model to a decentralized framework via Tendermint integration, the role of influential stakeholders like Buterin remains pivotal in shaping its trajectory.

[1] Vitalik Buterin Receives 6.29M STRK Worth $1M After One Year (https://coinfomania.com/vitalik-buterin-receives-6-29m-strk-worth-1m-after-one-year/)

[2] STRK (Starknet) fell 1.12% in the last 24 hours. (https://www.gate.com/news/detail/14559014)

[3] StarkNet Tokenomics and Unlock Schedule (https://tokentrack.co/tokens/starknet)

[9] "Crypto Unlock Paradox: STRK and ZK Defy the Typical Sell-Off..." (https://wealthincrypto.com/strk/)