Key Takeaways
Starknet faced a four-hour transaction backlog due to a block reorganization caused by a rounding error bug;
The issue led to a temporary halt in processing new transactions and the reversal of some due to parameter changes;
Similar technical challenges have been observed in other blockchains like Solana.
The Ethereum Layer-2 protocol Starknet encountered a hiccup.
As announced on April 5, the protocol saw a gap in block production that led to a four-hour backlog of transactions.
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Starknet’s monitoring tool, Starkscan, recorded an unusual pause in block production, specifically between blocks 630028 and 630029. This anomaly didn’t immediately reflect on Starknet’s status page, leaving users in the dark about the network’s operational status for hours.
The disruption was later attributed to a rounding error bug that led to a reorganization of blocks. While keeping block production on track, this reorganization inadvertently led to the transaction backlog reaching its full capacity.
Starknet explained:
There were a few minutes during which new transactions could not be accepted for processing and were therefore rejected. Moreover, some transactions were reverted due to changing parameters (e.g. timestamps).
Such incidents display the complexities of blockchain technology, at the same time contributing valuable lessons and improvements that pave the way for a more reliable blockchain infrastructure.
Notably, Solana, another major blockchain network, has also faced its share of challenges. In February, the network’s mainnet went down, halting block production due to a major outage. This incident was one of several, with Solana experiencing numerous significant and partial outages since January 2022.
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.