Starknet Faces 5-Hour Outage Post-Grinta Upgrade, Impacting STRK Transactions
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 05 2026- Network Outage Impact: Starknet experienced over five hours of downtime on January 5, 2026, due to slow block production following the Grinta upgrade, which adversely affected STRK token transactions and highlighted vulnerabilities within Layer-2 networks.
- Exchange Response: Bithumb suspended STRK deposits amid network issues, and despite a slight 0.93% increase in token price, the community's patience reflects user trust in the platform during restoration efforts.
- Recurring Technical Challenges: This outage marks another significant downtime for Starknet since the 9-hour disruption post-Grinta upgrade in September 2025, indicating ongoing infrastructure risks that may prompt developers to enhance network resilience.
- Anticipated Regulatory Scrutiny: While no immediate regulatory actions have been taken, experts speculate that the repeated outages could lead to increased scrutiny of Ethereum Layer-2 applications, potentially influencing future technological approaches.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
