How to Buy Starknet (STRK) with Bitcoin (BTC), Step by Step

Starknet is one of the most exciting Layer 2 protocols entering the Bitcoin ecosystem. With a mission to become Bitcoin’s execution layer, Starknet plans to unlock scalability and new opportunities for Bitcoin DeFi.

To explore Starknet, you’ll need the network’s native token, STRK, to pay for transaction fees. Read on to learn how to buy Starknet (STRK) with BTC in this step-by-step guide.

What Is STRK?

STRK is the native token of Starknet, a validity rollup-based Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that’s now on a mission to become an execution layer for Bitcoin to power the next era of Bitcoin DeFi. 

The STRK token plays three critical roles in the Starknet ecosystem: 

• Transaction fees: Starknet users need STRK to pay fees to process transactions. The flow of transaction fees provides the economic incentives that drive the running of the network.

• Governance: Community members need the STRK token to participate in the protocol’s governance. The token is ‘wrapped’ to get vSTRK (voting STRK) in a 1:1 ratio. With the voting STRK, you can vote directly or delegate that right to another person.

• Staking (planned): The STRK token is a critical component of a staking mechanism. The token can also be part of Bitcoin DeFi, including yield farming, borrowing, and lending. 

How to Buy STRK With BTC in Xverse: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can use Xverse to buy STRK with BTC directly from within the Xverse Starknet wallet, which can be the browser extension (Chrome, Brave, or Arc) or mobile app (iOS or Android). 

You can do that by following the simple steps:

Set Up Your Xverse Wallet 

First, you need to install the Xverse wallet. You can get it as a browser extension or mobile app. Once you’ve downloaded it, it’s time to set up your wallet. 

Follow the prompts of the setup process, and you’ll be good to go in minutes. 

Fund Your Wallet With BTC

To buy STRK with BTC, you’ll first need to have some BTC in your Xverse wallet.

Thanks to Xverse’s partnership with Onramper, a fiat-to-crypto on-ramp aggregator, you can easily fund your wallet with bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies). You can do this using a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut, Venmo, and more than 170 other payment methods in 200 countries. 

To buy BTC, access the wallet’s ‘Buy’ feature, select the amount you want to buy in fiat currency, choose the currency you want to use, and your preferred method of payment. 

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The next step is to compare different BTC providers aggregated by Onramper and make sure you select a suitable one by clicking on ‘Get quotes.’ 

Using filters like ‘Best Price,’ ‘Previously Used,’ and ‘Highest Success,’ you can easily narrow the results to your requirements.

Follow the selected provider’s instructions for funding your Xverse wallet with BTC.

Access the Xverse Swap Feature 

Once your Xverse wallet is funded with bitcoin, select the ‘Swap’ feature in the wallet’s main menu. 

Choose BTC as the cryptocurrency you’re swapping from by tapping on ‘Select asset’, and then pick Starknet as the asset you’re swapping to.

Enter the amount of BTC you want to swap for STRK and then click the ‘Get quotes’ button.

Review Transaction Details

Xverse’s swapping feature will calculate and display an estimate of how much STRK you’ll get in exchange for your BTC. 

Before confirming, carefully review all the transaction details, make sure everything is correct, and then tap the ‘Swap’ button.

Execute the Swap 

Before you execute the swap, make sure you have some extra BTC to pay for transaction fees. 

Swapping may take between five and 30 minutes, depending on network congestion. 

Once it’s complete, check your STRK balance and details such as swap history and involved tokens to verify that the correct amount has arrived in your wallet.

Why Use Xverse to Buy STRK With BTC?

There are many reasons why Xverse is arguably the best way to buy STRK using BTC, the most noteworthy being:

• Security and self-custody: You stay in control of your assets at all times.
• Ease of use: The user interface is designed for speed and accessibility.
• Access to the broader Bitcoin ecosystem: Xverse’s native support for Bitcoin and Bitcoin L2 assets removes the need to wrap or otherwise bridge them before use.
• Starknet integration: Swap into STRK easily without needing various wallets.
• Fiat on-ramps: Buy BTC directly in-app using fiat money and choose from multiple payment methods.

"We're making it quick and easy to access the Starknet ecosystem and participate in BitcoinFi. You can now swap BTC for STRK securely, right in your wallet. It’s the perfect way to get started," explains Xverse CEO Ken Liao.  

Coming Soon: Buy STRK Directly Via Onramper in Your Xverse App

Our devs are working hard to add a direct purchase option for Starknet (STRK) into our in-app ‘Buy’ feature (powered by Onramper) as well, so you can buy STRK using 170+ payment methods. 

Securely Buy, Store & Manage STRK With the Xverse Starknet Wallet

Xverse Swaps provides a seamless experience for swapping between BTC and STRK and a wide range of other tokens on different blockchains. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps to buy, store, and manage STRK within the Xverse Starknet wallet.

Download Xverse wallet and start exploring Bitcoin DeFi on Starknet.

FAQs

Where can I buy $STRK?

You can buy STRK directly from within the Xverse wallet using BTC. Xverse is an excellent Starknet wallet designed to provide a safe, convenient, and seamless experience for its users. And you get all these from a single, straightforward browser extension or mobile app. On top of that, it supports fiat on-ramps, so you can first buy BTC and then swap it for STRK, right there within the app.

Can I use STRK tokens within the Xverse app?

Yes. Xverse has integrated Starknet and STRK support, so you can view, manage, store, send, and receive STRK for whichever purpose you need them. Whether it is to pay for transaction fees, participate in governance, or staking, all that is possible within the wallet.

What fees are involved when buying STRK with BTC?

There may be small network and swap fees involved in the process of purchasing STRK in exchange for BTC. That depends on liquidity and blockchain conditions. All fees are displayed inside the wallet app before you confirm the transaction if you’re using Xverse to manage your STRK tokens. 

Is my BTC safe when swapping for STRK on Xverse?

Absolutely. Xverse is a secure, self-custodial wallet. Your BTC and STRK remain entirely in your control, and the wallet app deploys decentralized liquidity to execute swaps in a safe manner. Additionally, integration with Starknet provides the platform’s benefits within a familiar, Bitcoin-focused environment.

What can I do with STRK tokens after purchasing them?

You can use STRK to pay fees for submitting and processing transactions, participate in the protocol’s community governance, for staking (once the transition to Proof-of-Stake is complete), and explore DeFi protocols on Starknet. Additionally, Xverse enables you to manage STRK easily, efficiently, and securely inside the wallet app.