Solana's Validator Count Drops 20%, Not 84% as Rumored
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 19 2026- Validator Count Controversy: A viral social media post claimed an 84% drop in Solana validators raised centralization concerns, but founder Yakovenko clarified that the actual decline was around 20%, primarily due to the end of the Solana Foundation's Delegation Program.
- Distinction Between Nodes: Yakovenko emphasized the difference between validators and full nodes, stating that Solana operates approximately 5,000 full nodes compared to Ethereum's 8,300, despite Ethereum's market cap being four times larger, showcasing Solana's relative network scale.
- Operational Cost Issues: Despite Yakovenko's clarifications, critics continued to question Solana's decentralization, with one social media user claiming operating costs of $20 million per validator, a figure that remains unverified, highlighting the economic barriers to participation.
- Hardware and Cost Challenges: Industry reports indicate that running a self-hosted Solana full node requires hardware investments ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, with voting costs potentially pushing annual expenses into the tens of thousands, limiting participation from smaller validators, although some startups are developing solutions to lower these barriers.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
