Solana Introduces ACE to Transform On-Chain Market Microstructure

• Solana focuses on high-frequency markets with ACE
• Updates like BAM and Alpenglow optimize Solana
• Solana proposes programmable on-chain order execution

The Solana network has taken a new step toward solidifying its position as a foundational infrastructure for internet capital markets. A recently released community roadmap proposes advancements beyond latency and bandwidth, highlighting the importance of market microstructure.

O document , developed by Anatoly Yakovenko (Solana Labs), Max Resnick (Anza), and Kyle Samani (Multicoin Capital), presents Application-Controlled Execution (ACE) as a new model for the ecosystem. The proposal is to give smart contracts direct control over the ordering and settlement of trades, allowing applications to define their own sequencing rules.

Unlike the traditional single-leader approach, ACE envisions programmable environments and multiple simultaneous validators. This setup would allow developers to build custom marketplaces without relying solely on validator behavior or the limitations of a single ordering point.

Among the tools that enable this vision is the Block Assembly Marketplace (BAM), developed by Jito. Launched in late July, it enables customized order flow logic through a decentralized network with TEE support, without the need to fork clients.

Another pillar of the roadmap is the DoubleZero network, already operating on testnet with over 100 validators. The proposal replaces the public internet with a multicast fiber optic infrastructure, reducing latency and instability. The mainnet launch is expected in September 2025.

Finally, the Alpenglow consensus mechanism is slated for late 2025 or early 2026. It aims to simplify Solana's consensus logic, closing blocks in around 150 milliseconds, as well as enabling features like asynchronous execution and multiple concurrent leaders (MCL).

Combined, these innovations will enable faster and more transparent on-chain trading, aligned with the experience of centralized platforms, but without compromising decentralization. Solana aims to serve everyone from developers seeking flexibility to institutions interested in synchronized and composable global liquidity on the blockchain.