TLDR
- Jump Crypto’s SIMD-0370 proposal would remove Solana’s 60 million compute unit block limit
- Change scheduled after Alpenglow upgrade, which reduces transaction time to 150 milliseconds
- High-performance validators get larger blocks and more fees, slower ones skip complex transactions
- Creates hardware upgrade incentives but raises centralization concerns among engineers
- Alpenglow passed with near-unanimous support and begins testnet in December
Jump Crypto has introduced a groundbreaking proposal to eliminate Solana’s fixed block limits, potentially transforming how the blockchain processes transactions. The SIMD-0370 proposal aims to remove the current 60 million compute unit cap that restricts block sizes across the network.
The timing aligns with Solana’s upcoming Alpenglow upgrade, which received near-unanimous approval earlier this month. Alpenglow will reduce transaction finality from 12.8 seconds to just 150 milliseconds when it launches on testnet in December.
Under Jump Crypto’s proposal, block sizes would scale based on validator capabilities rather than fixed limits. High-performance validators could process larger, more complex blocks and earn higher transaction fees. Meanwhile, validators with slower hardware would automatically skip oversized blocks using Alpenglow’s new skip-vote mechanism.
This creates what Anza, the Solana research company behind Alpenglow, calls a “performance flywheel.” Block producers have incentives to pack more transactions for higher fees, while validators that skip blocks lose rewards and feel pressure to upgrade their systems.
How the System Would Work
The proposal fundamentally changes Solana’s current architecture. Instead of every validator processing identical 60 million compute unit blocks, the network would allow variable block sizes based on hardware capabilities.
Jump Crypto, which develops the Firedancer validator client, believes this approach drives continuous improvement. Validators would compete by upgrading hardware to handle larger blocks and capture more fee revenue.
The system relies on Alpenglow’s skip-vote feature, which lets validators abstain from complex blocks without penalties. This prevents slower validators from becoming bottlenecks while maintaining network stability.
Industry Concerns and Support
The proposal has generated mixed reactions within the Solana developer community. Roger Wattenhofer from Anza supports removing compute limits entirely but acknowledges potential risks.
Engineer Akhilesh Singhania raised centralization concerns on GitHub, warning that expensive hardware requirements could force smaller validators out of the network. This could concentrate power among well-funded operators with advanced infrastructure.
However, supporters argue the benefits outweigh risks. Solana has experienced network outages during high-activity periods, highlighting the need for performance improvements. The proposed changes aim to prevent future stability issues through better incentive alignment.
Jump Crypto’s proposal comes four months after Jito Labs suggested raising the block limit to 100 million compute units. The new approach takes a more aggressive stance by removing caps entirely.
The proposal reflects broader efforts to strengthen Solana’s infrastructure as the blockchain gains popularity. Solana’s decentralized exchange volume has surpassed Ethereum multiple times this year, driven by high-speed, low-cost transactions.
Firedancer launched on mainnet in September 2024 in limited capacity as part of client diversification efforts. The validator client aims to improve network resilience by providing alternatives to existing infrastructure.
The Alpenglow upgrade represents Solana’s most ambitious protocol change to date. Beyond faster transaction times, it includes network resilience improvements and data optimization features that could position Solana to compete with traditional internet infrastructure.
