Edward Snowden Attacks Solana Crypto

Edward Snowden, emblematic figure in the fight for data protection, recently sparked controversy in the crypto world by calling Solana a “centralized chain.” His remarks, made during an appearance at the Token2049 conference, have reignited the debate over the balance between performance and decentralization in the blockchain ecosystem.

A risky compromise between speed and security

For Snowden, Solana has chosen to sacrifice decentralization on the altar of efficiency. “Solana takes good ideas and says: ‘What if we centralized everything? It would be faster, more efficient, cheaper’“, he stated.

This approach, according to him, exposes the network to major risks of manipulation by malicious actors or authoritarian states.

The whistleblower is particularly concerned about the current use of Solana, which he deems primarily focused on “meme coins and scams.” This scathing criticism highlights the challenges faced by new generation blockchains in their quest for scalability.

Solana’s governance questioned

Snowden’s remarks echo broader concerns about the structure of Solana’s governance.

Recently, a Cardano supporter revealed that over 73% of the network’s validators comply with KYC and AML requirements, receiving grants through Solana’s Stake-o-matic tool.

This revelation fuels criticism that the project resembles more a traditional financial institution than a truly decentralized blockchain.

Despite these controversies, Solana’s SOL token continues to perform on the market, showing a 10% increase over the last month. This resilience is partly explained by the network’s technical advantages, notably its ability to process thousands of transactions per second at low cost.

Snowden’s statements have sparked various reactions within the ecosystem. Some developers, like those from Helius, have vigorously defended Solana, dismissing the accusations as “nonsense” and challenging anyone to identify concrete flaws in the network.

This debate highlights the ongoing tensions between technological innovation and the fundamental principles of blockchain. While Solana continues to attract the attention of investors and developers, the question of its centralization remains a major concern for crypto purists.