Solana Foundation Defends Network Decentralization Amid Patch Coordination Concerns

According to Cointelegraph, Solana Foundation’s executive director, Dan Albert, addressed concerns about the network's decentralization during a roundtable at Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) 2024. Albert responded to recent claims that the Solana network is not decentralized, following the quiet coordination of a patch to fix a critical vulnerability. On August 9, Solana validator Laine disclosed details of a vulnerability that could have potentially halted the network. Validators coordinated the patch behind the scenes to prevent an attacker from exploiting the vulnerability. This behind-the-scenes coordination led some to question the network’s decentralization. Albert clarified that the ability to coordinate a patch does not equate to centralization. He emphasized that Solana has 1,500 block-producing nodes operated by numerous individuals worldwide. While acknowledging that some companies run multiple nodes, Albert explained that the Solana Foundation’s coordination with node operators is due to their active participation in the community and ecosystem. He stressed that validators ultimately decide which software to run and that the patch was open-source. Albert reiterated that the ability to communicate with some validators voluntarily should not be confused with centralization. This is not the first time Solana has faced centralization accusations. In 2022, a community member argued that the network is centralized, with a few having the power to shut it down and restart it. However, Solana-based decentralized finance (DeFi) firm Unstoppable Finance countered these claims, stating that Solana’s validator count is higher than that of other blockchains, suggesting it is more decentralized than perceived.