Solana Block Limit Removal via SIMD-0370 to Boost Throughput
Jump Crypto’s research arm Anza has proposed the SIMD-0370 upgrade to remove Solana’s static 60 million compute unit block limit. This Solana block limit removal will enable dynamic block sizing based on each validator’s processing capacity. High-performance nodes running the Firedancer client could produce larger, more complex blocks and earn higher transaction fees, while slower validators can opt out of heavy blocks, spurring hardware upgrades. The change follows the major Alpenglow protocol upgrade—set for testnet in December 2025—which promises to reduce finality time from about 12.8 seconds to 150 milliseconds. SIMD-0370 builds on Jito Labs’ earlier SIMD-0286 proposal to raise the cap to 100 million compute units. Engineers warn that unlimited blocks may centralize power among well-funded validators, creating a trade-off between network performance and decentralization. Traders should monitor validator economics and client diversity as they assess the impact on Solana’s scalability and adoption.
Bullish
The removal of Solana’s compute block limit via SIMD-0370 is likely bullish for SOL in both the short and long term. By enabling dynamic block sizing and larger, more complex blocks, throughput and transaction capacity should improve, attracting more dApps and users to the network. Reduced finality times after the Alpenglow upgrade further enhance user experience and on-chain activity. In the short term, traders may respond to the improved performance outlook with increased SOL buying. Over the long term, sustained hardware upgrades and higher network fees could strengthen validator economics and network security. However, centralization risks warrant monitoring, as a concentration of power among well-funded validators could impact decentralization. Overall, the proposal’s scalability gains outweigh the risks, supporting a bullish view on SOL.