Solana Upgrade Proposal: Plans to Remove Fixed Compute Unit Limits

Solana developers are preparing for a major scalability upgrade that could reshape the network’s performance. The SIMD-0370 proposal, introduced by Jump Crypto’s Firedancer team, aims to remove Solana’s current fixed compute unit (CU) block limit of 60 million.

If adopted, the block size will scale dynamically based on validator hardware capacity. This would allow powerful validators to process larger and more complex blocks, while smaller ones can skip those blocks, creating a more performance-driven and flexible ecosystem.

What the Solana Upgrade Proposal Means

The upgrade eliminates the static compute unit cap, replacing it with a system that adapts to validator strength. Key goals include:

• Higher throughput across the network
• Increased block producer incentives via larger transaction fees
• Faster and more efficient execution of decentralized applications
• Enhanced resilience against congestion and traffic spikes

By scaling dynamically, Solana is taking steps to better accommodate enterprise-level usage and high-volume decentralized finance (DeFi) activity.

Timeline: From Alpenglow to Firedancer

Before this change goes live, Solana will roll out the Alpenglow upgrade, scheduled for testnet in December 2025. Alpenglow focuses on synchronization and validator performance, laying the groundwork for Firedancer’s more ambitious block size improvements.

Once Alpenglow stabilizes the foundation, Firedancer’s compute unit changes are expected to take Solana’s scalability to new heights.

Benefits of Removing Compute Unit Limits

The Firedancer proposal brings several key advantages for Solana’s ecosystem:

• Greater transaction capacity through larger blocks
• Stronger fee incentives for block producers
• Faster user experiences for high-demand applications
• Efficiency gains as validators upgrade hardware
• A performance “flywheel” that drives continuous optimization

Together, these factors could reinforce Solana’s position as one of the fastest blockchains for developers and enterprises.

Read more: Wall Street Joins Solana: Forward Industries to Launch Tokenized Shares

Centralization Risks and Concerns

While performance gains are clear, some developers worry about centralization. If block sizes scale too aggressively, smaller validators could be forced out, leaving the network dominated by fewer, well-capitalized operators.

The challenge will be balancing speed with decentralization, ensuring that innovation doesn’t compromise Solana’s long-term sustainability.

Final Thought

The Solana upgrade proposal to remove fixed compute unit limits is a bold step in blockchain scalability. Combined with the upcoming Alpenglow upgrade, it positions Solana for faster throughput and enterprise adoption. The community, however, must carefully manage decentralization risks to maintain trust and diversity in its validator base.

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FAQ

What is the SIMD-0370 Solana proposal?

It’s a Firedancer-led upgrade to remove the fixed 60 million compute unit block limit, letting block size scale based on validator hardware.

When will the Solana compute unit upgrade happen?

It is expected to follow the Alpenglow upgrade, which launches on testnet in December 2025.

How will removing compute unit limits benefit Solana?

The change will allow larger blocks, faster transactions, improved app performance, and better incentives for validators.

What risks come with this Solana upgrade?

The main concern is centralization, as smaller validators may not keep up with scaling requirements, potentially reducing diversity in the network.

How does Firedancer fit into Solana’s roadmap?

Firedancer is a high-performance validator client from Jump Crypto, designed to improve Solana’s resilience, scalability, and validator diversity.