Starknet launches VIP program for STRK and strkBTC holders

Starknet now has a velvet rope. The Starknet Foundation introduced the Starknet VIP Program on October 16, 2026, and it targets holders of the network’s native STRK token and strkBTC, its Bitcoin wrapper asset. According to the program’s page at vip.starknet.io, the program is now open to supported STRK and strkBTC holders. What VIP status actually gets you The perks lean toward access rather than cash. Qualifying holders are set to receive priority support, direct interaction with the Foundation team, confirmed access to events, and additional benefits the Foundation has yet to disclose. The program covers two assets with different jobs. STRK serves as Starknet’s governance and staking token, and it is also used to pay fees on the network. In practical terms, STRK is how you vote, how you stake, and how you pay for transactions. strkBTC is the newer piece. It launched in May 2026 as a wrapped version of Bitcoin built for Starknet’s DeFi applications. strkBTC was initially secured by a federation of institutions. It also includes optional shielding, which lets users keep certain transactions private. The Bitcoin push behind the perks The VIP Program did not arrive in a vacuum. It f...