Solana has implemented a formal governance system that allows on-chain, recorded voting on decisions regarding the future of the network. The new structure, called Solana Governance Proposals, gives validators and the token holders who stake them a stake-weighted vote on which direction the network should move.
How will the new system work?
According to the new rule, in order to launch a governance proposal, at least 100,000 SOL must be staked in the relevant validator. This amount corresponds to approximately 7.70 million dollars with current data. Proposals are prepared with a clear and simple question rather than technical texts; The subject of the vote is whether the network will take a certain step or not.
A proposal is not directly put to vote. First, it needs to receive support from at least 15 percent of active stakes. Once this threshold is crossed, the process proceeds with the fixed calendar that Solana uses to organize its operations, based on epoch periods lasting approximately two days. For acceptance, at least two-thirds of the votes cast, excluding abstaining votes, are required to be in the same direction. There is no minimum participation requirement in the system.
In order for a proposal to be put to vote, it must first gather 15 percent support from active stakes and then be accepted with at least two-thirds of the votes cast.
Voting results are recorded on the chain. Merkle proof method is used to verify the count. This method allows cryptographically checking whether a particular game is correctly included in the total result without re-running the entire count.
Mini dictionary: Merkle proof is a cryptographic method that quickly and securely verifies the inclusion of a particular record in large data sets. It is widely used to check vote, transaction and data integrity in blockchains.
Technical documentation process separated from SGP
The new framework separates two processes that have long gone together in Solana. SGP votes have the community and validators asking, “Should this step be taken?” It aims to answer the question. Technical details are handled in the older structure, the Solana Improvement Document, or SIMD process.
This distinction gathers direction-determining political decisions and practical engineering studies into different channels. The adoption of an SGP indicates that there is a will to move forward on the relevant issue; The subsequent technical implementation is shaped by one or more SIMD documents.
The SGP system allows the community to ask “Should we do this?” The technical details of the application are left to the SIMD process.
Delegates were given more say
One of the highlights of the system is that it gives more direct authority to delegates who entrust tokens to validators. Users who do not run their own node but earn rewards by staking SOL can now override their validator’s vote or vote with their own stake weight when the validator abstains.
Solana Foundation defines this approach as “staker sovereignty”. Solana Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the Solana ecosystem and funds network development. This model aims to keep voting power in token holders rather than concentrating it solely on validators.
Market interest has increased again
The launch of the governance system coincided with the recent recovery in the price of SOL. According to CoinDesk data, SOL increased by approximately 16 percent in the last week, reaching around $78. Thus, the token was among a limited number of large assets that gained value on days when the general market was weak.
| Title | Data |
| Bid opening threshold | 100,000 SOL |
| First support requirement | 15% of active stake |
| admission requirement | At least two-thirds of the votes cast |
| Epoch duration | About 2 days |
| Weekly change of SOL | Approximately 16% increase |
| Current price level | About $78 |
