Solana's transaction processing capacity remains stable, with the number of validators significantly reduced

The Solana validator ecosystem is undergoing a major transformation. According to Odaily’s report, the number of active validators on the network has dropped below 800 per day, returning to levels seen in 2021. Compared to the peak of approximately 2,500 validators in early 2023, this represents a sharp decline of over 68%, drawing significant industry attention.

Validator Voting Transactions Decrease by Over 40%

With the exit of validators, the volume of voting-related transactions has also plummeted. The number of voting transactions per day decreased from about 300,000 to 170,000, a 43% decline. This figure clearly indicates a rapid reduction in the validator layer involved in network operation.

Reduction in Staking Support Accelerates Validator Departure

The direct cause of the sharp decrease in validators is linked to several policy changes. The shift in the Solana Foundation Delegation Program’s staking matching policy and the phased reduction of voting cost support for validators prompted many operators to exit. While these policy shifts aim to improve network efficiency, they have also increased entry barriers.

User Transaction Activity Remains Robust

Notably, in contrast to the shrinking validator layer, transaction activity at the user layer remains healthy. User-driven non-voting transactions, such as interactions with DApps and token transfers, remain steady at around 100 million transactions per day. This indicates that Solana’s transaction processing capacity remains strong and that the impact on user experience is limited, reflecting the overall health of the ecosystem.