Starknet’s STRK Token Gains Native Access to Solana via NEAR‑Intents Integration
January 15, 2026 – The decentralized finance (DeFi) community saw a notable cross‑chain development on Thursday as Starknet, the Ethereum layer‑2 scaling solution, announced that its native utility token, STRK, can now be held and traded directly on the Solana blockchain. The interoperability is enabled by NEAR Protocol’s Intents platform, which aims to replace traditional token bridges with a “solver‑based” execution model that abstracts the underlying routing of assets.
How the Integration Works
The partnership leverages NEAR Intents, a cross‑chain messaging layer that lets users specify a desired outcome—such as receiving STRK in a Solana wallet—while the protocol resolves the optimal path through supported chains and assets behind the scenes. By sidestepping the conventional lock‑and‑mint bridge flow, the solution promises faster settlement times and a smoother user experience for those moving value between Ethereum‑compatible ecosystems and Solana.
Once the STRK token lands on Solana, it will be listed for spot trading on the Jupiter aggregator, the most widely used decentralized exchange (DEX) router on the network. Meteora, a Solana‑native order‑book DEX, has been appointed as the primary liquidity source for STRK, providing depth for traders and liquidity providers.
Market Context
At the time of the announcement, STRK was priced around $0.086, reflecting a modest six‑percent dip over the previous 24 hours and a market capitalisation near $435 million. Solana’s native token, SOL, was trading at roughly $143, down three percent on the day.
Starknet’s total value locked (TVL) has risen by more than $100 million since December, now sitting above $313 million. The figure remains marginally below the chain’s March 2024 high of $331 million but signals a rebound after a period of stagnation.
The move arrives just one day after Solana’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a critical thread about Starknet, citing “8 daily active users” and “10 daily transactions,” and concluding with a dismissive “Send it straight to 0.” The timing underscores a growing competitive dynamic among L1 and L2 projects seeking to capture DeFi liquidity across multiple ecosystems.
Strategic Implications
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Reduced Friction for DeFi Participants
By eliminating the need for users to manually bridge assets, the NEAR Intents approach could lower the barrier to entry for Solana‑based traders who wish to engage with Starknet’s ecosystem. Faster, gas‑efficient transfers are especially valuable given Solana’s reputation for low‑cost, high‑throughput transactions. -
Liquidity Expansion for STRK
Access to Jupiter’s aggregation and Meteora’s order‑book liquidity should broaden STRK’s market depth on Solana, potentially attracting yield farms, liquidity mining programs, and cross‑protocol strategies that were previously limited by bridge latency and cost. -
Competitive Positioning in a Multi‑Chain Landscape
The integration demonstrates Starknet’s willingness to adopt emerging cross‑chain tooling rather than rely solely on native Ethereum roll‑ups. For NEAR, the partnership provides a high‑visibility use case that showcases Intents’ capabilities beyond its own ecosystem, possibly accelerating adoption among other L1/L2 projects. - Signal to Skeptics
The Solana X jab highlighted concerns over Starknet’s on‑chain activity. By securing a foothold on Solana, Starknet can counter narratives of low usage with tangible DeFi presence on a network that currently hosts nearly $11 billion in TVL.
Technical Overview of NEAR Intents
Unlike conventional bridges that lock tokens on the source chain and mint wrapped equivalents on the destination chain, Intents operates on a “solver” paradigm. Users submit an intent (e.g., “receive 10 STRK on Solana”), and a decentralized network of solvers computes the optimal route—potentially spanning multiple intermediaries—and executes the transfer atomically. The model is designed to:
- Mitigate “bridge risk” by avoiding custodial lock‑ups,
- Offer deterministic finality through on‑chain verification, and
- Provide a plug‑and‑play interface that can be integrated into wallets and DEX front‑ends without extensive user education.
The press release from both Starknet and NEAR emphasized that the workflow prioritises speed and usability over experimental novelty, aiming to deliver a “practical cross‑ecosystem experience for real DeFi participation.”
Market Reaction
Initial price movement after the announcement was muted; STRK’s modest decline aligns with broader market weakness rather than a direct response to the news. However, early‑stage DeFi analysts note that the real impact will be measurable over weeks to months, as liquidity migrates to Solana DEXs and developers begin to incorporate STRK into yield strategies.
Solana’s community, still reeling from the recent criticism of Starknet, appears poised to test the integration. Early comments on Discord and Telegram indicate a mixture of curiosity and cautious optimism—participants are keen to see whether the “solver‑based” model can deliver the promised seamless experience.
Key Takeaways
- Cross‑chain integration: Starknet’s STRK token can now be received directly in Solana wallets through NEAR Intents, bypassing traditional bridging.
- Liquidity routes: Spot trading will be available on Jupiter, with Meteora serving as the primary liquidity venue on Solana.
- Strategic timing: The launch follows a public jab from Solana’s official social channel, positioning STRK for a defensive narrative shift.
- TVL growth: Starknet’s TVL has risen above $313 million, showing resilience despite a recent dip from its March 2024 peak.
- Technical innovation: NEAR Intents’ solver‑based execution aims to reduce bridge risk and improve user experience, potentially setting a new standard for cross‑chain asset movement.
- Long‑term outlook: Success will hinge on the ability to attract meaningful liquidity on Solana and on broader ecosystem adoption of the Intents framework.
Outlook
If the Intents model delivers on its promise of low‑friction, secure transfers, it could become a template for other L1/L2 collaborations seeking to tap into Solana’s vibrant DeFi market. For Starknet, establishing a native presence on Solana not only diversifies its liquidity sources but also provides a counter‑argument to critiques of low activity. As the DeFi space continues to fragment across multiple chains, such interoperability solutions are likely to play a critical role in shaping where capital ultimately flows.
Source: https://thedefiant.io/news/defi/strk-goes-live-on-solana-via-near
