The daily count of active validators on the Solana blockchain has dropped to 800, the lowest level since 2021, according to data from The Block Research.
In comparison, at its peak in 2023, the figure exceeded 2500, marking a decline of approximately 65% from those levels.
Alongside the reduction in validators, the number of voting transactions has also decreased, from 300,000 to 170,000 per day.
The reasons for validators leaving are tied to economic factors within the network, such as the Solana Foundation’s delegation program. This program offers time-limited support to cover voting costs and includes a stake-matching policy.
As support diminishes, smaller validators find it increasingly difficult to cover voting and infrastructure costs if they lack sufficient delegated stake.
To remain synchronized with the network, validators must lock up assets. Without enough staked SOL to generate income, running a node becomes economically unviable.
Despite the decrease in voting transactions, regular operations on Solana remain relatively stable at about 150 million per day.
Back in December 2025, the Solana Foundation partnered with Project Eleven to prepare the network for potential threats from quantum computers.