Solana validators are delayed on a critical update as 42% abandon the network

not_your_keys · 2026-01-12T01:34:39+00:00

Solana faced a critical update delay, with 42% of validators leaving the network. Despite the urgent security patch, over half of the network's stake remains vulnerable. However, on-chain activity reached record highs, highlighting risks in infrastructure and decentralization.

not_your_keys

2026-01-12 01:34:39

Abstract generation in progress

Source: Yellow Original Title: Solana Validators Are Delayed on a Critical Update While 42% Abandons the Network

Original Link: Solana implemented an urgent security patch for validators on Friday, but more than half of the network’s staked value remains exposed to the previous software.

Slow adoption occurs amid a 42% drop in validator numbers over the past year.

Despite infrastructure concerns, Solana’s on-chain activity reached new highs, with record volumes on decentralized exchanges and strong stablecoin adoption.

What happened

Solana Status announced version v3.0.14 on January 10, urging immediate installation on all mainnet validators.

The version included critical patches without revealing the specific vulnerabilities addressed.

By Saturday afternoon, approximately 51.3% of the network’s stake remained on the outdated client v3.0.13.

Only 18% had migrated to the secure v3.0.14 version, creating a vulnerability window in proof-of-stake consensus.

The number of active validators decreased from 1,364 to 783 over the past year.

The decline accelerated after the Solana Foundation introduced pruning in April 2025, removing underperforming operators to improve network quality.

Why it matters

The slow response to the update highlights infrastructure risks despite Solana’s dominant on-chain activity.

Volumes on DEXs reached approximately $30 billion weekly, a 25% increase from the previous week.

The market capitalization of Solana’s stablecoins grew to $15 billion, representing a 200% increase over the past year.

The network processes eight times more daily transactions than any other competing blockchain.

Fewer validators concentrate control among the largest operators, which could undermine decentralization as economic activity increases.

SOL0,63%

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DEXRobinHood

· 7h ago

42% exit scam? Solana is about to drop the ball again...

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GasFeeCrier

· 01-12 18:16

42% has run away, and you're still hesitating. Is Solana going to be finished?

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zkNoob

· 01-12 02:04

Is Solana causing trouble again? 42% exit scam, what are they even doing?

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HashBard

· 01-12 02:03

solana validators dragging their feet on security patches while 42% dips... honestly the irony writes itself like a bad greek tragedy, no? 🎭 network bleeds stake while the narrative arc crumbles in real time

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HalfPositionRunner

· 01-12 02:02

42% fleeing? This is what "decentralization" looks like... LOL

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ChainSpy

· 01-12 02:00

42% have left? What kind of trick is Solana up to now?

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GasFeeWhisperer

· 01-12 01:59

Oh my god, 42% of people are fleeing? Solana is about to be finished. --- Validators are all slacking off; what can we expect from this network? --- It's the same old story, patching up and not knowing when it'll be done... My coins are still in there. --- Half of the staked tokens are still exposed? That's hilarious. Is the Solana team sleeping? --- Where's the promised emergency update? Turns out a bunch of people have abandoned it? Truly impressive.

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ChainPoet

· 01-12 01:58

42% has fled, and the remaining are still dithering with updates? Solana's pace is a bit hard to keep up with.

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