Solana validator organization Layer 33 calls for pausing the removal of delegation program members.

Solana independent validator group Layer 33 has called on the Solana Foundation to pause its weekly phased removal of delegation-program members until community consultation is completed, following rules published November 6 that set a 12-month participation term, require validators to exit after securing 300,000 SOL in external stake, and cap participation at 100 validators. Layer 33 argues the changes could crowd out experienced independent operators and worsen stake concentration. The group also proposed giving existing members who participate in Alpenglow community testing at least six months of mainnet delegation support and publishing the analysis behind the participant cap and term limits. The dispute matters because it tests how the foundation balances decentralization against program scale as Solana's stake distribution remains a governance concern. What to watch next is whether the foundation halts the weekly removals and opens a consultation, and whether the 100-validator cap and 12-month term are revised.