Solana triples per-transaction data, readies 250ms slots

Solana activated its V1 transaction format on Sept. 15, increasing per-transaction data capacity to 4,096 bytes, more than three times the previous limit. V1 allows a single transaction to include up to 64 accounts and embeds compute requirements and fee metadata inside the transaction. The larger data envelope makes it possible to combine multi-step operations-such as privacy routines, multi-signature processes or large account-data updates-into a single all-or-nothing transaction. Older transaction formats remain valid, but wallets, exchanges and other transaction processors will need software updates to recognize V1 as it is adopted.

The network is also shortening the interval between slots. Solana’s slot target moved from an original 400 milliseconds to 350ms, then 300ms. The 250ms stage is slated for mainnet activation around 05:01 UTC on Sept. 18 with the start of epoch 1037, according to Anza, the R&D lab behind the Agave validator software. A 200ms stage runs on development and test networks but has not been scheduled for mainnet. At 250ms the chain can produce about four slots per second; at 200ms it can produce roughly five. Solana developers adjust the allowable work per slot as slot duration changes, so shorter slots do not automatically double raw transaction capacity.

Shorter slot times require validators and infrastructure operators to process and propagate blocks more quickly as the time available for each step shrinks. Validator software such as Agave will need to validate the tighter cadence, and services that assemble, sign or relay transactions must update to parse V1 payloads and embedded metadata.

The upgrades arrive while network activity has risen. Solana reported 5.2 billion non-vote transactions in August, a 19% increase from July’s roughly 4.2 billion. Applications on the network generated $40.8 million in revenue in a single week, the highest weekly total since January. Decentralized exchanges on Solana handled about $16.59 billion during the same period.

Stablecoin engagement increased: daily active addresses interacting with stablecoins reached 888,000 in September, up from 333,000 a year earlier. Tokenized equities supply on Solana reached $684 million after rising 47% over three weeks.

Because older transaction formats remain valid, applications can adopt V1 gradually. The combined changes expand how much data a transaction can carry and shorten block-production timing while the network operates at elevated activity levels.