Solana Foundation Reduces Support for Long-Standing Validators to Promote Decentralization

The Solana Foundation has implemented a new policy aimed at reducing its support for long-standing validators that rely on Foundation-delegated stake. This change is designed to promote a more decentralized network by encouraging community validators. The updated guidelines state that for each new validator brought into the Foundation’s Delegation Program, three existing validators will be removed, provided they have received Foundation stake for more than 18 months and hold less than 1,000 SOL in external delegation. This measure took effect immediately.

Foundation officials stated that the change is aimed at reducing dependence on internal stake allocations and strengthening the role of community involvement in network validation. The Solana Foundation initially launched its Delegation Program to help new validators participate in consensus without needing substantial SOL holdings. By offering stake directly, the Foundation enabled smaller operators to earn rewards and contribute to network growth. However, as the network matured, concerns emerged over sustainability. Some validators continued to receive Foundation stake despite attracting little external support or failing to meet high performance standards.

The new policy is intended to correct this imbalance by setting clearer expectations: validators must now demonstrate strong technical performance and the ability to attract stake from outside the Foundation. To incentivize this shift, the Foundation offers a matching program, allocating up to 100,000 SOL to validators who secure an equivalent amount from independent delegators. The Foundation’s share of total network stake has already declined from previous highs and now accounts for approximately 13% to 16% of all SOL staked. Most stake is now delegated through community pools or directly to independent validators.

Despite that progress, some validators remain heavily reliant on Foundation subsidies to cover operational costs, such as vote fees and hardware maintenance. The new policy signals a push to further reduce that dependency and promote a more self-sufficient validator ecosystem. By phasing out underperforming validators and onboarding those with stronger community engagement, the Foundation aims to create a more resilient, decentralized, and efficient network. The shift marks a turning point in Solana’s evolution from a growth-focused strategy powered by internal capital to a performance-driven framework shaped by the broader community.

This policy change is a strategic move by the Solana Foundation to align with the broader goals of the blockchain community. Decentralization is a core principle of blockchain technology, and by promoting community validators, the Foundation is taking a step towards achieving this ideal. This shift is likely to have a positive impact on the network's security and stability, as a more diverse set of validators reduces the risk of a single point of failure. The decision to champion community validators is expected to lead to a more robust and decentralized network, as community validators bring a wider range of perspectives and resources to the table.

The policy change also reflects the Foundation's commitment to fostering a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. By encouraging community validators, the Foundation is creating opportunities for new participants to enter the network and contribute to its growth. This, in turn, is likely to attract more developers and users to the Solana blockchain, further enhancing its value and utility. The new policy is a clear indication of the Solana Foundation's commitment to decentralization and community involvement. By championing community validators, the Foundation is taking a proactive approach to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the Solana blockchain. This move is likely to have a positive impact on the network's security, stability, and overall health, as it fosters a more diverse and independent validator ecosystem.