Whistleblower and privacy advocate Edward Snowden sharply criticized Solana's approach to blockchain at the Token2049 conference in Singapore. His remarks reignite the debate on the delicate balance between performance and decentralization in the crypto ecosystem.
The centralization of Solana in the viewfinder
Snowden pulled no punches in calling Solana's strategy a counter-example in terms of blockchain security. According to him, the protocol made the deliberate choice to centralize certain aspects to gain speed and reduce costs. “ It's a system with levers that people can just take from you“, he warned, pointing out the risks inherent in this approach.
The former NSA consultant is particularly concerned about the long-term implications. If Solana is not yet a priority target for governments due to its use limited to memecoins, the situation could change quickly. Snowden fears that this centralization will ultimately facilitate the control of authoritarian regimes over the blockchain.
This criticism sparked a strong reaction in the crypto community. A Helius engineer notably called these accusations “nonsense”, challenging anyone to identify a concrete attack vector against the Solana network. The technical debate rages, but Snowden maintains his position.
Bitcoin as a bulwark against digital authoritarianism
Underlying this controversy, it is the original vision of Bitcoin that emerges reinforced. Snowden sees the flagship crypto as a model of decentralization capable of resisting state pressure. As a counter-example, he cites the case of Telegram, forced to modify its conditions of use following the arrest of its founder.
“ Some governments strive to control every individual on their territory, and beyond, thanks to new technologies“, warns Snowden. In this context, Bitcoin appears to be a final bulwark against mass surveillance and financial censorship.
Snowden's intervention thus revives the divide between Bitcoin maximalists and supporters of alternative blockchains. While Solana's quest for performance appeals to many developers, the crypto community remains divided on acceptable compromises in terms of decentralization. The debate is far from over, as crypto adoption accelerates globally.
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