Solana network boosts block capacity by 20% to enhance performance
Solana developers have increased the network’s block limit from 50 million to 60 million compute units (CUs), marking a move to support higher transaction volumes and improve overall performance.
Helius Labs CEO Mert Mumtaz announced the update on July 23, representing a 20% expansion in block capacity.
According to Mumtaz, compute units on Solana function like fuel for a vehicle, as each transaction consumes a certain number of CUs depending on its complexity. For instance, a basic token transfer uses fewer CUs than a multi-swap operation across decentralized exchanges.
This upgrade is part of a broader effort to address execution constraints observed during periods of high network activity. Solana raised the CU limit to 50 million in June as a precautionary step to prevent disruptions.
Following the success of that implementation, developers moved forward with the second phase of lifting the cap to 60 million CUs.
Expanding Solana blocks
Meanwhile, Mumtaz revealed that the team aims to eventually double the block capacity to 120 million CUs.
He explained that the increase would allow developers to build more expressive applications and reduce transaction fees, especially as demand grows.
Brennan Watt, Vice President of Core Engineering at Anza, has already confirmed that he has merged a Solana Improvement Document (SIMD-0286) proposing a further increase to 100 million CUs. This reflects the network’s ongoing push to accommodate higher transaction volumes and enhance user experience.
When asked whether Solana’s block capacity might eventually become uncapped, Watt noted that core developers continue to debate the issue.
According to him, while unlimited execution could enhance flexibility, it also raises concerns about potential abuse. Therefore, he noted that “execution needs to be bound to protect from abuse.”
Watt added that static analysis or metering may become more useful if the network shifts toward asynchronous execution models.
The update comes as Solana’s price recently hit a five-month high of over $200, fueled by institutional interest and rising adoption in corporate treasuries. However, as of press time, SOL has pulled back to $187 amid a broader market correction affecting major altcoins