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Stargaze
NFT marketplace and launchpad on the Cosmos Hub trading in ATOM and STARS
3.4/ 5
Our score
Fair
Chains
Cosmos
Launchpad
Yes
Token
STARS
What is Stargaze?
Stargaze is an NFT marketplace and minting platform dedicated to the Cosmos ecosystem. Originally deployed as an independent proof-of-stake application-specific chain, the platform operates on the Cosmos Hub. Users can buy, sell, and launch digital art collections with trading priced in ATOM and STARS.
Team and background
Stargaze was founded in 2021 by Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell. Vitarana and Hernandez both worked as software engineers at TruStory, an early protocol built on the Cosmos SDK, while Vitarana also contributed to CosmWasm, Groupon, and Ruby on Rails. Hartnell, a UC Berkeley graduate, co-founded the project and was a maintainer for cw-nft, the core CosmWasm NFT standard tooling.
Platform architecture and trading mechanics
Trading activities do not rely on centralized account custody. Creators can issue non-fungible tokens via the Stargaze Launchpad and Studio, while collectors can trade collections using secondary marketplace listings and bidding. Transactions settle onchain using CosmWasm smart contracts alongside inter-blockchain communication standards like ICS-721 for cross-chain NFT transfers.
Milestones and ecosystem transition
Stargaze launched its standalone mainnet on October 29, 2021, creating 1 billion STARS tokens at genesis. The platform introduced its launchpad in March 2022, followed by secondary marketplace functionality in June 2022. To consolidate security and ecosystem liquidity, Stargaze scheduled an NFT snapshot on March 17, 2026, to migrate marketplace applications and the STARS token directly onto the Cosmos Hub. The original Layer 1 chain will sunset afterward.
Risks and considerations
Trading non-fungible assets carries structural trade-offs typical of secondary art markets. Users also face smart contract dependencies during chain transitions and migration windows, as well as asset exposure tied directly to the price volatility of ATOM and STARS.
Founders
Shane VitaranaCo-Founder
Software engineer who worked at TruStory, contributed to CosmWasm, Groupon, and Ruby on Rails, and built Drum Kit and TED.
Jorge HernandezCo-Founder
Software engineer who previously worked at TruStory.
Jake HartnellFormer Co-Founder
Graduate of UC Berkeley, maintainer of cw-nft, and contributor to Juno Network and DAO DAO.
Best for:Cosmos NFT collectorsCreators launching IBC collectionsHolders trading in ATOM
Pros and cons
Pros
- Active ecosystem trading denominated natively in ATOM and STARS
- Integrated launchpad for creating and minting primary collections
- Uses ICS-721 for cross-chain NFT transfers across IBC
Cons
- Trading volume is concentrated in a small group of collections
- Migration from standalone L1 to Cosmos Hub introduces contract transition risks
- Exposure to price volatility in STARS and ATOM
Our review
3.4/5
Fair
Stargaze is the central marketplace for Cosmos and IBC NFTs, but ongoing migration to the Cosmos Hub and niche liquidity limit its broader multichain appeal.
Stargaze operates as the primary NFT marketplace and launchpad across the Cosmos ecosystem, supporting collections denominated in ATOM and native STARS. Co-founded in 2021 by Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell, the platform initially ran as an independent CosmWasm-powered proof-of-stake appchain before executing an architectural migration to deploy its core applications directly on the Cosmos Hub.
The platform provides integrated minting through its Launchpad and trading on its secondary marketplace for native Cosmos profile pictures and digital art, such as Bad Kids, Celestine Sloth Society, and Underworld Genesis. For creators, Stargaze Studio offers direct tooling to deploy collections and manage launch parameters. The marketplace also integrates IBC capabilities using the ICS-721 token standard, which lets users execute cross-chain NFT transfers across the interchain network.
Strengths of the platform include:
- Deep integration across Cosmos SDK networks with native support for ATOM pricing and IBC cross-chain transfers.
- Direct creator infrastructure through the Stargaze Launchpad and Studio tooling.
- STARS is Stargaze's native token.
The primary weakness is market concentration. Trading activity centers on Cosmos-native collections. The protocol has also navigated an active architectural migration from its standalone Layer 1 chain to the Cosmos Hub, creating transition steps for asset snapshots and contract deployments.
Stargaze suits Cosmos collectors and artists seeking an interchain NFT marketplace multichain marketplace instead.
Specs
| Chains | Cosmos |
|---|---|
| Focus | Collectibles, Art |
| Launchpad | Yes |
| Token | STARS |
| Points or rewards program | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: KYC required, Marketplace fee, Creator royalties, Aggregates other markets, Mobile app, Zero marketplace fee.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Secondary marketplace
Supports buying, listing, and trading Cosmos NFTs denominated in ATOM and STARS.
Launchpad and Studio
Provides creator tooling for minting and deploying new NFT collections.
Decentralized naming service
Lets users register, manage, and trade readable domain names on Stargaze Names.
StarBurst raffles
Runs onchain prize pools and community raffle draws for participating NFT collections.
Cross-chain transfers
Implements the ICS-721 inter-blockchain communication standard to route NFTs across Cosmos chains.
End-to-end messaging
Enables end-to-end encrypted messaging on the Cosmos Hub with Stargaze link previews.
Inside Stargaze
Marketplace
The secondary trading platform where users discover, buy, make offers on, and sell Cosmos and IBC NFT collections.
Launchpad
The primary minting section hosting live, upcoming, and open edition NFT drops from interchain creators.
Names
A decentralized naming service that lets users register, manage, and trade custom domain names across the Cosmos.
StarBurst
A pool prize and raffle feature designed for community NFT draws and automated rewards.
Stargaze screenshots
What users say about Stargaze
There is currently insufficient user feedback to evaluate the platform, as provided entries consist solely of promotional validator updates and announcements rather than organic reviews.
Based on 2 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Stargaze? Share your experience below.
FAQ
Who founded Stargaze?
Stargaze was founded in 2021 by software engineers Shane Vitarana, Jorge Hernandez, and Jake Hartnell. Vitarana and Hernandez previously worked at TruStory, while Hartnell contributed to cw-nft and Juno Network.
Which blockchains does Stargaze support?
Stargaze supports the Cosmos ecosystem. Originally built as an independent Cosmos Layer 1 appchain, its applications and trading infrastructure operate directly on the Cosmos Hub.
Does Stargaze have a native token?
Yes, Stargaze uses the STARS token, which launched in October 2021 with a genesis supply of 1 billion tokens. STARS is Stargaze's native token.
What is the Stargaze Launchpad?
The Stargaze Launchpad is a minting platform for new Cosmos NFT collections. Creators can configure collection parameters and allow collectors to mint directly in ATOM or STARS.
Latest from Stargaze on X
Gm 💫
What are we collecting today? 👀
What are we collecting today? 👀
The moon shrouded by dark clouds, distant howls echo through the night, and a chill meanders its way up your spine. It's Saturday, and the mood is right.
This week: Halloween Horrors 🎃
8 scary selections for a successful Samhain ⬇️ https://t.co/T7U0jXv4Zf
This week: Halloween Horrors 🎃
8 scary selections for a successful Samhain ⬇️ https://t.co/T7U0jXv4Zf
Last call: the Stargaze Messages raffle draws on October 31.
Send a message to "stargaze" on Stargaze before then to get your entry in. One entry per wallet.
https://t.co/Ncg6jzUMMP https://t.co/fsrTPdU0Vq
Send a message to "stargaze" on Stargaze before then to get your entry in. One entry per wallet.
https://t.co/Ncg6jzUMMP https://t.co/fsrTPdU0Vq
Your Stargaze messages are encrypted in your browser before they reach the chain. Only you and the person you're talking to can read them.
You can add an optional password to your inbox and block anyone you don't want to hear from.
Raffle entries close October 31: send a message to "stargaze" to enter.
https://t.co/uBuCv6MtOU
You can add an optional password to your inbox and block anyone you don't want to hear from.
Raffle entries close October 31: send a message to "stargaze" to enter.
https://t.co/uBuCv6MtOU
Recent public posts from @StargazeZone, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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