Solana developers are proposing a significant upgrade to the blockchain, introducing a new consensus mechanism called Alpenglow. This proposed overhaul aims to achieve near-instant finality in transaction processing by replacing the existing Proof of History and Tower BFT systems. The new protocol will utilize two components: Votor, which can confirm transactions in as little as 100–150 milliseconds, and Rotor, a data relay protocol designed for efficient transaction data transmission. This shift is intended to enhance developer experience and boost demand for SOL tokens by enabling real-time applications such as finance and gaming. Alpenglow promises to simplify the consensus process, potentially leading to faster and more responsive applications on the Solana network, all while aiming for finalization in under a second—an ambitious goal for Layer 1 blockchains. Although no launch date has been confirmed, this upgrade is pivotal for solidifying Solana's identity as a leader in speed for blockchain technology.

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