Solana Validator Count Plunges from 2,500 to Under 800 as Zero-Fee Giants Pressure Small Nodes

Solana's validator set has contracted from around 2,500 nodes to fewer than 800, intensifying worries that stake is concentrating in large zero-fee operators. Many smaller validators report that reduced stake-pool income and a roughly 50% drop in foundation matching have pushed their operations into sustained losses, while SOL's price remains range-bound around $125.97 with key levels between $120 and $150 in focus.