Jump Crypto is discontinuing support for Frankendancer, a hybrid validator client for the Solana network. This client, which has been active on the mainnet since September 2024, will be retired in October 2026 to coincide with the deployment of the Alpenglow consensus upgrade.
Frankendancer functioned as a transitional tool, combining Firedancer networking components with the Agave runtime and consensus layers. Following the launch of the full Firedancer client in December 2025, the hybrid version is no longer required for network operations.
The Alpenglow upgrade introduces the Votor protocol, which replaces the existing Proof of History and Tower BFT mechanisms. This change reduces transaction finality time from approximately 12.8 seconds to 150 milliseconds. The update will be delivered via Agave version 4.3.
As of mid-to-late 2026, Firedancer-family clients account for 14% to 26% of the total Solana stake, with the full Firedancer client representing 11% to 14%. Validators currently using Frankendancer must migrate to the full Firedancer client or switch to Agave before the October activation.
