Solana starts testing upgrade that could cut finality from 12.8 seconds to 150 milliseconds
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Summary
Solana has launched testing of its Alpenglow upgrade on the public test network, aiming to reduce transaction finality from approximately 12.8 seconds to 150 milliseconds. This upgrade replaces Solana’s TowerBFT consensus system with a new voting protocol called Votor, which allows validators to finalize blocks more quickly by voting directly. The initial testnet migration requires the Agave 4.3 software and currently does not support alternative validator programs Firedancer or Frankendancer. A mainnet update that could include Alpenglow is tentatively scheduled for September 28 but is not yet confirmed.
Why it matters
The Alpenglow upgrade could significantly accelerate how quickly transactions become irreversible on the Solana blockchain, impacting exchanges, bridges, and merchants that require fast finality to securely credit deposits or confirm payments. Faster finality can improve user experience and operational efficiency across Solana’s ecosystem. The source does not explain broader market or policy implications.
Key context
Solana’s current consensus system, TowerBFT, requires validators to accumulate votes over 32 slots before finalizing a block, resulting in roughly 13-second finality. Alpenglow introduces Votor, where validators send votes directly to each other and can finalize a block after one or two rounds, eliminating the longer chain of on-chain votes. The upgrade has undergone more than four months of testing on a smaller dedicated network before moving onto the public test network. Validators must use Agave 4.3 software maintained by Anza, and Firedancer and Frankendancer validator software, designed to diversify Solana’s node operators, are not yet compatible with this test.
Key numbers and entities
Solana (SOL) blockchain; Alpenglow upgrade; finality reduction from 12.8 seconds to 0.15 seconds; TowerBFT consensus; Votor voting protocol; Agave 4.3 validator software; Anza (software maintainer); Firedancer and Frankendancer validator programs by Jump Crypto; tentative mainnet update date September 28, 2026; Anatoly Yakovenko (Solana co-founder).
What remains unclear
Whether and when Alpenglow will be officially launched on Solana’s mainnet remains unconfirmed. The timeline for Firedancer and Frankendancer validator support of Alpenglow is not established. Potential risks or challenges during the mainnet rollout and the upgrade’s impact on network security or decentralization are not discussed.