# StarkNet

By [Untitled](https://paragraph.com/@0x1e72189f75ad9a8e8564538604377dd3261c4af9) · 2023-06-09

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Starknet is a general-purpose network that can be used for various actions with smart contracts, such as writing, deploying, and interacting with them. It is a permissionless decentralized [validity rollup](https://golden.com/wiki/Zero_Knowledge_Rollups_\(zk_rollups\)-VK4433R) that was developed by its parent company, [StarkWare](https://golden.com/wiki/StarkWare-VWKDVZ4). It operates as a layer 2 (L2) network on top of [Ethereum](https://golden.com/wiki/Ethereum-W4Z), which allows all [decentralized applications](https://golden.com/wiki/Decentralized_application_\(dApp\)-5K9W6M4) (dApps) to achieve unlimited scale for its computations using the cryptographic proof system STARK. The StarkNet contracts and the StarkNet OS are written in [Cairo](https://golden.com/wiki/Cairo-MAEJ63M). This enables developers to deploy and scale use cases regardless of the business logic.

The network and its developer tools are being built by teams from organizations such as [Nethermind](https://golden.com/wiki/Nethermind-VKMX9XN), Erigon, and [Alchemy](https://golden.com/wiki/Alchemy_\(Blockchain_Developer_Company\)-GE8MVGN). Projects that are being built on the network vary from dApps, digital wallets, and services, and there are more than 100 projects on the network.

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*Originally published on [Untitled](https://paragraph.com/@0x1e72189f75ad9a8e8564538604377dd3261c4af9/starknet)*