Solana reduces blockchain processing time to 350 milliseconds

Solana speeds up transaction processing

Solana, a blockchain network known for its fast transactions, has reduced its slot time to 350 milliseconds. This is the first time the network has lowered its slot time since it launched. A slot time is the time it takes for the network to process and confirm a block of transactions.

The change was announced by Jacob Creech, vice president of technology at the Solana Foundation. He stated that the network is now operating with a 350-millisecond slot time and aims to reduce it further to 300 milliseconds next.

What the reduction means

Before this update, Solana’s average slot time was around 400 milliseconds. The network’s current average slot time is 360 milliseconds, according to data from a Solana slot time explorer. The goal is to eventually reach 200 milliseconds through planned reductions.

The Solana Foundation says shorter slot times will improve latency, meaning transactions will be confirmed faster. This could make the network more efficient for users and applications built on Solana.

Planned steps to reach 200 milliseconds

The Solana Foundation shared plans in June to reduce slot times from 400 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds. The process involves three more 50-millisecond reductions after the current 350-millisecond update.

All these changes are expected to be activated on the main network through Agave v4.2, a validator client developed by Anza. However, the timeline for these updates remains tentative.

Approval and implementation

The proposal to reduce slot times, known as SIMD-0525, was approved and merged on May 14. This proposal outlines the technical changes needed to achieve shorter slot times.

What is confirmed

• Solana’s slot time has been reduced to 350 milliseconds, the first reduction since the network’s launch.
• The average slot time is currently 360 milliseconds, down from the original 400 milliseconds.
• The Solana Foundation plans to reduce slot times further to 200 milliseconds through additional updates.
• The proposal SIMD-0525, which enables these changes, was approved and merged on May 14.

What is still unclear

• The exact timeline for the next reductions to 300 milliseconds and beyond is not confirmed.
• The schedule for activating Agave v4.2 on the main network remains tentative.

Why faster slot times matter

Reducing slot times can make Solana more attractive for applications that require quick transaction confirmations, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms or gaming. Faster processing can also help the network handle more transactions per second, improving its scalability.

Sources

• Cointelegraph